The Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission approved a grant for more than $210,000, which will enable Patrick & Henry Community College (P&HCC) to transform existing instructional space into a new healthcare training facility and to expand its health career training offerings.
With this funding and a newly renovated space, not only will the current healthcare programs’ capacity expand, but P&HCC also plans to add Nurse Aide as a dual enrollment training option for local high school students.
Locally, demand for nurses is increasing, but P&HCC’s health care programs are already filled to maximum capacity. The proposed expansions will allow the college to train more students and, ultimately, help meet the region’s vital need.
With an additional lab and instructor, P&HCC will also be able to offer a wider variety of class times for students whose schedules may prevent them from attending class during traditional hours.
The college will use the grant funds to renovate a room in Philpott Hall, create a Healthcare Skills Lab, and hire an additional Nurse Aide/Clinical/Laboratory Instructor. With a new lab and a new instructor, the college will increase the capacity of existing healthcare programs which include Nursing, Practical Nursing, Nurse Aide, Phlebotomy, and Certified Clinical Medical Assistant.
Once the renovation and the skills lab addition are complete, the college will begin offering Nurse Aide as a dual enrollment training option for local high school students.
The college expects to have the renovations completed and the new faculty hired by January 2022 and to begin the dual enrollment program by August 2023.
Those interested in healthcare classes at P&HCC may contact Amy Webster, PHCC’s Director of Nursing and Allied Health at awebster@patrickhenry.edu; 276-656-0248.
