For Students
Embrace a transformative learning experience and let us guide
you every step of the way towards a fulfilling and rewarding career.
Are you new to the healthcare field?
We can help you navigate your path. Start here by training as a Direct Care worker, Nursing Assistant, Caregiver, or both.
Are you already a CNA? Our bridge to Caregiving offers the additional training you need for dual certification.
Are you already a Direct Care Worker? Take the next step by training to become a Certified Nursing Assistant or Certified Caregiver.
Are you ready to take your healthcare career to the next level by becoming an Assisted Living Manager? We can train you to become certified and succeed.
Why employers hire our grads
- More than the minimum education requirements
- High number of lab and clinical hours
- Licensure to licensing
- Employability skills and how to work with others
- Ready for the job upon hire
Meet Nada, CGTI graduate
Nada is a recent graduate of CareGiver Training Institute, working full-time now as a Certified Caregiver.
Nada came to Tucson from Syria as a refugee, pregnant with her son, forced to leave her husband behind. She applied for jobs doing the caregiving work she had done in Syria but found she needed to be certified for the quality jobs she wanted.
She struggled for years to find a certification training program that she could attend while also caring for her son. Nada credits our flexible hours and willingness to work with her as a single mom with helping her achieve her goal of becoming a Certified Caregiver.
Nada passed an English proficiency exam to qualify for enrollment, but because English is not her first language, some complex ideas and medical terms were challenging for her to comprehend. The CGTI instructors were patient and simplified language for her to make sure she understood and her training was complete.
“I’m 52 and it’s very hard for me to study at this age but I made it. Here, everything is possible,” she says.
Frequently asked questions
When does the next class start?
We have classes starting often! Check our course schedule for upcoming classes.
Do I need a GED to enroll?
You do not need a GED or diploma to enroll in Direct Care Worker, Caregiver, or Nursing Assistant courses, but students are required to pass our entrance exam that tests for English comprehension and math skills. A GED or diploma are required to enroll in the Assisted Living Manager course.
What requirements do I need to meet to enroll?
Requirements are specific to each course we offer. Please review the admissions checklists on the Direct Care Worker, Nursing Assistant, Caregiver, and Assisted Living Manager pages.
Do you offer financial aid?
While we do not offer in-house financial aid, we work with Pima County One Stop for students that need help with funding. We also accept sponsorships for students from employers, family, or friends. If you need financial assistance, please contact us at learnmore@cgtiaz.org and we will get you contact information for programs you may qualify for. Learn more about tuition assistance.
Are your courses self-paced?
No, all of our courses have a live instructor to lead you through classes. We are proud to offer a hands-on learning experience with individual attention from our highly qualified instructors, as well as support from our staff to help you succeed.
Do you offer evening and weekend courses?
We offer daytime and evening courses and work with your schedule to make your educational experience work for you. We do not currently offer weekend courses.
What is the difference between a Direct Care Worker, a Certified Caregiver, and a CNA?
Job Functions: Direct Care Workers provide non-medical services including personal care (hygiene, grooming and helping with elimination needs), light housekeeping, nutrition assistance, physical support and assistance as necessary. Caregivers provide some medical services, such as taking vital signs and assisting in the self-administration of medications for a client, and also assist with personal care (hygiene, grooming and helping with elimination needs). CNAs provide medical services including taking vital signs, safe transferring from bed/chair/wheelchair, perineal care, and catheter care. Unlike Direct Care Workers and Caregivers, CNAs are trained in-depth on 20 hands-on skills and in-depth on body systems. The work of CNAs is overseen by a nurse.
Number of training hours: Direct Care Workers need 24 hours, CNAs need a minimum 120 hours, and Caregivers need a minimum of 62 training hours.
Oversight: CNAs are overseen by the Arizona State Board of Nursing (AZBN), while Caregivers are under the Nursing Care Institution Board (NCIA). Direct Care Worker training and testing requirements are overseen by AHCCCS within the Arizona Department of Economic Security.
Where they work: Direct Care Workers usually work in private residences, while CNAs typically work in hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and assisted living facilities. Caregivers typically work in assisted living and retirement communities where non-medical care is needed. There are in-home positions for Caregivers, as well.
How much do Direct Care Workers, Certified Caregivers and CNAs earn hourly?
Wages for these healthcare position change regularly, and are increasing. Below are some resources to give you an idea of current wage ranges in Tucson.
What are my career options upon graduation?
Caregivers can expect to find work in assisted living facilities and retirement communities. There are even in-home positions for caregivers.
CNAs can expect to work in hospitals, skilled nursing settings, rehabilitation settings, acute care settings, private home settings, private doctor offices and more.
Both Caregiver and CNA training offer a great start to a healthcare career path if you are interested in becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN).
An Assisted Living Manager oversees operations at a residential care facility. Duties include managing the building, employees, and services in accordance with regulations. Assisted Living Managers create policies and practices that ensure proper resident care, and create an environment that is safe, comfortable, and meets the needs of residents and their families.
How much do the courses cost?
Direct Care Worker course: $250
Caregiver Course Cost: $700
Cost includes enrollment, administration fee and tuition; a Student Kit containing blood pressure cuff, stethoscope and gait belt; all required textbooks, handbooks and manuals; eFoodHandler Card; and 1 NCIA State exam for Caregiver certification.
Nursing Assistant Course Cost: $2,200
Cost includes enrollment, administration fee and tuition; all required textbooks, handbooks and manuals; one set of scrubs; and 1 Arizona Board of Nursing State exam for Nursing Assistant certification.
Dual Certification (Nursing Assistant and Nursing Assistant Bridge to Caregiver) Course Cost: $2,650
Cost includes enrollment, administration fee and tuition; a Student Kit containing blood pressure cuff, stethoscope and gait belt; all required textbooks, handbooks and manuals; eFoodHandler Card; 1 NCIA State exam for Caregiver certification and 1 Arizona Board of Nursing State exam for Nursing Assistant certification.
Nursing Assistant Bridge to Caregiver Course Cost: $450
Cost includes enrollment, administration fee and tuition; a Student Kit containing blood pressure cuff, stethoscope, and gait belt; all required textbooks, handbooks and manuals; eFoodHandler Card; and 1 NCIA State exam for Caregiver certification.
Assisted Living Manager Course Cost: $950
Cost includes enrollment, administration fee, tuition, Arizona Assisted Living Facility Manager Candidate Handbook, CGTI Assisted Living Manager Textbook, and the State Management Exam. The NCIA State exam will cost an additional $300 (not covered by CGTI).
What our students say about CGTI
"Being a student here is really cool…I really like the instructors, especially when it’s a small class, because it’s really one-on-one. The hours are really flexible…you can do mornings or evenings. My advice would be to enroll as soon as possible."
– Jimena, CGTI Student
CGTI provides comprehensive support services. Reach out with any questions on our programs and how we can help you navigate your journey into a new career.
Request more information and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible to answer your questions and talk you through the process of enrolling for our on-campus programs.
