Academic Catalog & Calendar Castor Health Institute
417 E 3rd St, Ste B, Sterling, IL 61081 | 30 E Stephenson St, Freeport, IL 61032 (815) 622-3550 | info@castorhealthinstitute.com
PROGRAMS OF STUDY
Nurse Aide Training Program (CNA) The Nurse Aide Training Program prepares non-licensed individuals to provide safe, effective, and caring services to patients, residents, and clients in a long-term care setting. The program combines classroom instruction, skills lab practice, and hands-on clinical experience.
Total Hours: 120 (80 hours classroom/lab + 40 hours clinical) Program Length: Up to 4 months Tuition: $1,400 | Enrollment Fee: $150 | Supplies Fee: $150 | Payment Plan Fee (if applicable): $100
Upon successful completion, students are eligible to sit for the Illinois Nurse Aide Competency Exam.
Phlebotomy Technician Training Program The Phlebotomy Training Program prepares non-licensed individuals to perform safe, skilled, and professional specimen collection in a variety of healthcare settings. The program combines classroom instruction, skills lab practice, and hands-on clinical experience.
Total Hours: 70 (54 hours classroom/lab + 16 hours clinical) Program Length: Up to 4 months Tuition: $1,350 | Enrollment Fee: $175 (nonrefundable, covers supplies) | Payment Plan Fee (if applicable): $100
Upon successful completion, students receive a Castor Health Institute Certificate of Completion in Phlebotomy. While no state or national exam is required to work as a phlebotomist in Illinois, students may pursue optional national certification. Guidance is available upon request.
Dual Enrollment Program Students may enroll in both the Nurse Aide Training Program and the Phlebotomy Technician Training Program. Please contact us for scheduling and pricing information.
ADMISSIONS & ELIGIBILITY
All applicants must:
- Be at least 16 years of age
- Have a clear background check through the Illinois State Police (Health Care Worker Background Check Act, 225 IL CS 46/25)
- Complete an IDPH fingerprint background check through an authorized vendor within 10 days of application
Prior to beginning clinicals, students must have:
- A negative tuberculosis test (2-step Mantoux skin test, QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus, or T-Spot blood test)
- Hepatitis B immunization series (recommended)
- American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification (obtained during the first week of class)
All students are bound by the terms of the Enrollment Agreement signed before the first day of class.
TUITION & FEES
| Program | Tuition | Enrollment Fee | Supplies Fee | Payment Plan Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNA | $1,400 | $150 | $150 | $100 |
| Phlebotomy | $1,350 | $175 | Included in enrollment fee | $100 |
Enrollment fees are nonrefundable. Students who withdraw more than 7 days before the first day of class may receive a full refund of tuition and supplies fees. No refunds are issued after that point. Students with outstanding balances remain responsible for all financial obligations.
ATTENDANCE
CNA: Students must complete 80 hours of theory and 40 hours of clinical. These are state-mandated hours and non-negotiable. Phlebotomy: Students must complete 54 hours of theory and 16 hours of clinical.
Students may not miss more than two class days. Missed class days must be reported to the instructor at least 24 hours in advance, and a make-up plan must be arranged. When a class day is missed, students are required to attend virtually. Zero unexcused absences are permitted in clinicals. An unexcused clinical absence may result in termination from the program.
GRADING (CNA Program)
Students must attain a minimum overall course grade of 80% and a minimum exam grade of 80%. Students must also successfully complete all 21 required clinical skills. If minimums are not met, the student must retake the course.
| Grade | Percentage |
|---|---|
| A | 90–100 |
| B | 80–89 |
| C | 70–79 |
| D | 60–78 |
| F | 0–59 |
Phlebotomy Program: Students must complete a minimum of 30 venipuncture draws and 10 capillary draws, signed off by the instructor, along with instructor and program coordinator approval.
CLINICALS
Students are expected to arrive on time and fully prepared for all clinical and lab experiences. Two unsatisfactory clinical evaluations in a course will result in failure of the course. Zero unexcused clinical absences are permitted.
Actions that result in an unsatisfactory clinical include: arriving late or unprepared, failure to comply with facility guidelines, not fully participating, or engaging in unsafe practice.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Students are expected to complete all work honestly and independently. Prohibited behaviors include cheating, plagiarism, falsification, unauthorized collaboration, impersonation, and unauthorized sharing of course materials. A first offense results in a zero and written warning. A second offense, or any sufficiently serious offense, results in immediate termination from the program.
STUDENT CONDUCT
Dress Code (all settings): Close-toed shoes with good traction, nails trimmed to ¼ inch, no artificial nails, hair up and off the collar, no loose jewelry, beards neatly trimmed.
Clinical/External Settings: Provided navy blue scrubs required. Long hair must be tied back. No perfumes or fragrances. Tattoos may need to be covered.
Cell phones are prohibited during all class, lab, and clinical hours. Violation may result in termination from the program.
HIPAA compliance is required at all times. Violations may result in program termination and federal penalties of up to $250,000 and/or up to 10 years in prison.
CNA CERTIFICATION NOTES
CNA certification in Illinois does not expire, but becomes inactive if the CNA goes 24 consecutive months without performing paid nursing or nursing-related services under a licensed nurse’s supervision. Recertification is handled through Southern Illinois University (SIU): 877-262-9259 | nurseaidetesting.com.
Credit transferability is not guaranteed. Students should consult with receiving institutions directly.
REPORTING COMPLAINTS
Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) 1 N. Old State Capital Plaza, Suite 333, Springfield, IL 62701 (217) 782-2551 | complaint.ibhe.org
Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Randy Carey-Walden RN, BSN, PSA 525 West Jefferson St., 4th Floor, Springfield, IL 62761 (217) 785-5569
CASTOR HEALTH INSTITUTE — 2026 ACADEMIC CALENDAR
NURSE AIDE TRAINING PROGRAM (CNA)
Cohort 1 — January 2026 Sterling: Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 4:00–8:15pm | January 27 – April 4 Freeport: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4:00–8:15pm | January 27 – April 4 Clinicals: Saturdays, 6:00am–3:00pm (Sterling: 4 clinical days | Freeport: 5 clinical days)
Cohort 2 — March 2026 Sterling: Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 9:00am–1:15pm | March 3 – May 13 Freeport: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9:00am–1:15pm | March 3 – May 14 Clinicals: Saturdays, 6:00am–3:00pm (Sterling: 4 clinical days | Freeport: 5 clinical days)
Cohort 3 — April 2026 Sterling: Mondays & Wednesdays, 4:00–8:15pm | April 6 – June 13 Freeport: Mondays & Thursdays, 4:00–8:15pm | April 6 – June 13 Clinicals: Saturdays, 6:00am–3:00pm (5 clinical days each location)
Cohort 4 — May 2026 Sterling: Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Saturdays, 9:00am–1:15pm | May 30 – July 25 Freeport: Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays, 9:00am–1:15pm | May 30 – July 25 Clinicals: Saturdays, 6:00am–3:00pm (5 clinical days each location)
Cohort 5 — June 2026 Sterling: Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 4:00–8:15pm | June 22 – August 15 Freeport: Mondays, Thursdays & Fridays, 4:00–8:15pm | June 22 – August 15 Clinicals: Saturdays, 6:00am–3:00pm (5 clinical days each location)
Cohort 6 — July 2026 Sterling: Mondays & Wednesdays, 9:00am–1:15pm | July 27 – October 3 Freeport: Mondays & Thursdays, 9:00am–1:15pm | July 27 – October 3 Clinicals: Saturdays, 6:00am–3:00pm (5 clinical days each location)
PHLEBOTOMY TECHNICIAN TRAINING PROGRAM
Cohort 1 — January 2026 Sterling: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 5:30–8:30pm | January 20 – March 19 | Instructor: Jaime Hassler Freeport: Wednesdays & Thursdays, 5:30–8:30pm | January 28 – March 26 | Instructor: Falecia Smith Clinicals: Dates TBD (4 clinical days each location)
Cohort 2 — March 2026 Sterling: Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 5:30–8:30pm | March 30 – May 20 | Instructor: Jaime Hassler Freeport: Mondays & Tuesdays, 5:30–8:30pm | March 23 – May 19 | Instructor: Falecia Smith Clinicals: Dates TBD (3 clinical days each location)
Cohort 3 — May 2026 Sterling: Mondays & Tuesdays, 5:30–8:30pm | May 19 – July 2 | Instructor: Jaime Hassler Freeport (Evening): Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 5:30–8:30pm | June 1 – July 1 | Instructor: Falecia Smith Freeport (Morning): Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 10:00am–1:00pm | May 25 – July 1 | Instructor: Falecia Smith Clinicals: Dates TBD (4 clinical days each section)
Cohort 4 — July 2026 Sterling: Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 5:30–8:30pm | July 6 – August 26 | Instructor: Jaime Hassler Freeport (Wed/Thu section): Wednesdays & Thursdays, 5:30–8:30pm | July 8 – September 3 | Instructor: Falecia Smith Freeport (Mon/Tue section): Mondays & Tuesdays, 5:30–8:30pm | July 27 – September 22 | Instructor: Falecia Smith Clinicals: Dates TBD (4 clinical days each section)
Cohort 5 — September 2026 Sterling: Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 5:30–8:30pm | September 7 – October 28 | Instructor: Jaime Hassler Clinicals: Dates TBD (4 clinical days)
Cohort 6 — November 2026 Sterling: Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 5:30–8:30pm | November 2 – December 15 | Instructor: Jaime Hassler Clinicals: Dates TBD (4 clinical days)
DUAL ENROLLMENT PROGRAM
Dual enrollment cohorts run concurrently at both locations. The CNA portion begins first; the Phlebotomy portion starts approximately midway through the CNA program. Available at both Sterling and Freeport. Contact us for specific dual enrollment start dates and scheduling.
Clinical dates marked TBD are scheduled individually with clinical facility partners. Enrolled students will receive clinical placement details prior to the start of the program.