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Medical training scene with nurses and an instructor guiding a patient manikin on a hospital bed using a cervical immobilizer and traction equipment for a simulation exercise.
Home health worker assisting senior woman off of bed

Bethesda’s Career Ladder

Launched in 2019, Bethesda’s Career Ladder program was created in response to an urgent community need to expand the caregiver workforce in the St. Louis region. The program addresses the growing demand for senior care professionals while providing meaningful career opportunities for young adults who are chronically unemployed or underemployed. Through Career Ladder, participants gain the training and support needed to build lasting, fulfilling careers in senior health care services.

 

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“I come from a family of caretakers, and this is something I’ve always wanted to do. Bethesda’s been a big help. I wouldn’t have been able to do it alone.” – Lakisha Hawkins

The program offers a ladder for career advancement, assistance with tuition and state exam fees, and wage progression through caregiver levels of Certified Nursing Assistant, Certified Medication Technician, Licensed Practical Nurse, and Registered Nurse.

The program is specifically designed to remove the barriers that often prevent potential caregivers from completing the skilled training needed for certifications and licensure. Common challenges – such as transportation issues, limited funds for tuition or exams, and the cost of course materials (including scrubs, stethoscopes, and blood pressure cuffs) – are addressed through comprehensive financial and logistical support.

Medical training scene with nurses and an instructor guiding a patient manikin on a hospital bed using a cervical immobilizer and traction equipment for a simulation exercise.

While other senior health care providers in the St. Louis community offer CNA training, Bethesda’s program stands out as the most comprehensive. It combines tuition assistance, wraparound support, employee benefits, and career growth opportunities that are unmatched elsewhere in the region.

Donate to Bethesda’s Career Ladder

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“If I didn’t go through the Career Ladder, I wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am today. It’s shown me how much I’ve grown at Bethesda” – Kristina Johnson

View Our Other Life Changing Programs

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Humanitarian Care
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Male doctor with stethoscope sits beside an elderly woman in bed, smiling and talking to her.
Aging in Place
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Caregiver in a purple shirt helps an elderly woman at a table, showing or discussing a box in a living-room setting.
Healthy at Home
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Give Back to Bethesda

Support our residents and communities through a variety of giving opportunities, including outright gifts, IRA charitable rollovers, securities, and donor-advised funds.

 

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