Interested in caring for patients but lack prior experience or formal healthcare education? Earn while you learn!
VCPA offers paid training (no tuition or fees to participate in the program). Care Partner Trainees are considered full-time and eligible for benefits (including health, dental, and vision) and additional perks that come with being a Vanderbilt Health employee.
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Vanderbilt Care Partner Academy (VCPA) was developed to Create Confident Care Partners
At Vanderbilt Health, we want all our employees to be successful in their careers. Vanderbilt Health, recognized as a leader in global healthcare and one of Tennessee's largest employers, can help you begin a new career as a Care Partner at our adult or pediatric hospitals.
We created Vanderbilt Care Partner Academy (VCPA) to train individuals without previous healthcare experience to be comfortable interacting with patients while providing safe and compassionate care in the hospital setting.
Before working directly with patients, participants are hired as Care Partner Trainees and must complete VCPA. Upon successful completion of VCPA and unit-based orientation, Care Partner Trainees will be transferred into a Care Partner role (with a pay increase) and begin working directly with patients as a part of the healthcare team.
VCPA is open to current Vanderbilt Health employees and Non-Vanderbilt Health employees.
2026 Start Dates:
VCPA is currently offered 3 times per year:
• January 5
• May 18
• June 22
VCPA Program Schedule:
• Weeks 1 & 2 are Monday through Friday, 7am to 3pm, consisting of classroom instruction
and skills practice in the lab.
• Week 3 includes 3 days of clinical skill training/practice in a clinical area beginning at 6:30am.
Upon completion of VCPA, additional unit-specific orientation with a preceptor will be provided. The length of orientation and shifts will vary by unit and schedule.
What type of training does VCPA provide?
• Functioning as an important member of the nursing team
• Communicating with patients and their families
• Basics of patient care
• Use of commonly used hospital equipment
• Medical terminology
• Caring for different patient populations with a variety of health issues
• Training on Vanderbilt Health’s Electronic Medical Record Documentation System (E-Star)
• Certification in HeartSaver
What are the qualifications/requirements to be considered for VCPA?
• Open to Vanderbilt Health Staff and Non-Vanderbilt Health Staff
• No previous healthcare experience required
• Non-licensed position; no specialized healthcare degree required
• 18 years or older
• High school graduate or GED
• Will need to pass a background check
Applications as a Care Partner Trainee are accepted on an ongoing basis.
• Apply online as a Care Partner Trainee to be eligible for the Vanderbilt Care Partner Academy:
- Non-Vanderbilt Health Staff: visit Work for VanderbilthHealth (use keyword search "Care Partner Trainee")
- Vanderbilt Health Staff: Apply through WorkDay (use keyword search "Care Partner Trainee")
• One of our talent recruitment specialists will contact you to schedule an interview.
• Interviews are done either in-person or virtually (via phone or computer).
• Those hired will be eligible to attend the next available VCPA.
Questions and Answers
- VCPA Candidates Questions and Answers
- Vanderbilt Health Managers Questions and Answers (login required)
Questions? Contact Us.
carepartneracademy@vumc.org
