CNA Training Program - South Peninsula Hospital

South Peninsula Hospital’s Long Term Care department offers a paid, in-house Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Training Program designed to support our community and grow the local healthcare workforce. Whether you are new to healthcare or exploring a future nursing career, this program provides the knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience needed to begin a meaningful career in patient care.

About the Program

The SPH CNA Training Program is a five-week, paid learning experience that prepares students to take the State of Alaska CNA exam. Training includes three weeks of classroom instruction followed by two weeks of supervised clinical shifts, giving students immediate, hands-on exposure to real patient care in Long Term Care.

Attendance is required for all classroom and clinical hours to meet Alaska Board of Nursing standards.

Who Can Apply

The program is open to individuals age 18 or older who have a high school diploma or GED. No previous healthcare experience is required. Many applicants are entering the workforce for the first time, switching careers, or exploring whether a future in nursing is right for them.

Program Schedule and Class Size

Cohorts are offered twice per year, typically in spring and fall, and are limited to eight students to ensure personalized instruction. When applications open, the position is posted on the SPH careers page as “CNA Trainee.”

Applicants complete an online application and will be contacted to schedule an interview. Because class size is small, acceptance into the program is highly competitive.

Compensation and Employment Commitment

Students are paid while they learn (currently $20/hour). After completing the program and passing the state exam, graduates move into open CNA positions at SPH and receive a wage increase based on the union wage scale.

Graduates commit to working at SPH for a designated period, typically one to two years. While the program was originally designed to support staffing in Long Term Care, graduates may pursue opportunities across the organization, including Acute Care, Home Health, and other departments.

The program itself is free to participants; however, those who do not complete their employment commitment may be required to reimburse SPH for training costs.

Career Opportunities After Graduation

A CNA certification opens the door to roles in long-term care facilities, hospitals, outpatient clinics, and home health settings. Many graduates continue their education toward licensed nursing roles or other healthcare professions. The program provides a strong foundation for long-term career growth within SPH and beyond.

How to Apply

When a new cohort is scheduled, SPH will post the “CNA Trainee” position on the hospital’s careers page. Interested applicants should complete the online application and be prepared for an interview with Long Term Care staff.

Learn More

For details about upcoming training sessions, application timelines, or program structure, please contact:

South Peninsula Hospital Long Term Care
Phone: 907-235-0859

News & Updates

Invitation to Bid

South Peninsula Hospital seeks a qualified contractor for development of a gravel parking lot at 4135 Hohe St., Homer, AK. Work includes site prep, grading, drainage, and compacted gravel installation. The complete RFP can be found here or by request.

Invitation to Bid

South Peninsula Hospital seeks a qualified contractor for development of a gravel parking lot at 4135 Hohe St., Homer, AK. Work includes site prep, grading, drainage, and compacted gravel installation. The complete RFP can be found here or by request.
End of Life Decision Making - recording now available

Thank you to the many community members who attended our free educational presentation, “End of Life Decision Making,” this spring! This event was originally scheduled for Fall 2025, and we appreciate everyone’s flexibility with the rescheduling. We were honored to have Homer Medical Center’s Dr. Giulia Tortora, local estate planning attorney Lindsay Wolter, and Hospice of Homer death doula Morgan Laffert lead this important conversation. Together, they covered key aspects of end-of-life planning, including living wills, medical power of attorney, legal and medical decision-making, and emotional considerations.

End of Life Decision Making - recording now available

Thank you to the many community members who attended our free educational presentation, “End of Life Decision Making,” this spring! This event was originally scheduled for Fall 2025, and we appreciate everyone’s flexibility with the rescheduling. We were honored to have Homer Medical Center’s Dr. Giulia Tortora, local estate planning attorney Lindsay Wolter, and Hospice of Homer death doula Morgan Laffert lead this important conversation. Together, they covered key aspects of end-of-life planning, including living wills, medical power of attorney, legal and medical decision-making, and emotional considerations.
Registration Now Open for Walking Challenge

Registration for the 10th annual Homer Steps Up community walking challenge (May 4 -31) opens April 15 on HomerStepsUp.com. Coordinated by South Peninsula Hospital, with support from numerous partnering agencies, the yearly challenge is designed to motivate the community to engage in more movement to help improve overall health as well as provide a fun, interactive community event as Homer transitions into summer.

Registration Now Open for Walking Challenge

Registration for the 10th annual Homer Steps Up community walking challenge (May 4 -31) opens April 15 on HomerStepsUp.com. Coordinated by South Peninsula Hospital, with support from numerous partnering agencies, the yearly challenge is designed to motivate the community to engage in more movement to help improve overall health as well as provide a fun, interactive community event as Homer transitions into summer.
Welcome First Baby of 2026

Baby girl River Marie Burdick was born on Sunday, January 4, 2026 at 3:55pm at South Peninsula Hospital, earning her the bragging rights of first baby delivered there in 2026. River weighed six pounds, 10 ounces, and was 19.5 inches in length. She is the first child of Amanda and Aaron Burdick of Homer, Alaska.

Welcome First Baby of 2026

Baby girl River Marie Burdick was born on Sunday, January 4, 2026 at 3:55pm at South Peninsula Hospital, earning her the bragging rights of first baby delivered there in 2026. River weighed six pounds, 10 ounces, and was 19.5 inches in length. She is the first child of Amanda and Aaron Burdick of Homer, Alaska.
SPH Submits Letters of Interest to Rural Health Transformation Program

South Peninsula Hospital recently submitted Letters of Interest to the State of Alaska Rural Health Transformation Program, a five-year federal grant program to improve health care in rural areas across all fifty states. These letters are the first round of submissions, and are some of nearly 1,800 which were submitted from locations across Alaska. We expect to learn sometime in April, 2026 if any of our submittals are invited to complete full applications.

SPH Submits Letters of Interest to Rural Health Transformation Program

South Peninsula Hospital recently submitted Letters of Interest to the State of Alaska Rural Health Transformation Program, a five-year federal grant program to improve health care in rural areas across all fifty states. These letters are the first round of submissions, and are some of nearly 1,800 which were submitted from locations across Alaska. We expect to learn sometime in April, 2026 if any of our submittals are invited to complete full applications.
SPH welcomes two new board members

South Peninsula Hospital Board of Directors appointed two new members to the board and elected new officers at their December, 2025 board meeting. Jim Anderson and Ken Ciccoli, both of Homer, are newly appointed to three-year terms.

SPH welcomes two new board members

South Peninsula Hospital Board of Directors appointed two new members to the board and elected new officers at their December, 2025 board meeting. Jim Anderson and Ken Ciccoli, both of Homer, are newly appointed to three-year terms.