Our Story
Empowering Healthcare Professionals Since 2014
Safe Hands Institute was founded with a single purpose: to make high-quality, state-aligned healthcare training accessible to every person in Columbus who wants to build a meaningful career in care.
2,000+
Graduates Certified
5
Certification Programs
12+
Years in Columbus
100%
State-Aligned Curriculum
Our Mission
Safe Hands. Confident Care.
Safe Hands Institute was born out of a gap in Columbus's healthcare training landscape. Founder and lead instructor Patricia Hayes saw firsthand how difficult it was for working adults — especially those from underserved communities — to access affordable, flexible, and rigorous certification training.
In 2014, she opened Safe Hands with a small classroom, two instructors, and a commitment to hands-on learning that mirrors real clinical environments. Today, we offer five state-approved programs and have helped more than 2,000 students launch or advance their healthcare careers.
Every course we teach is built around one belief: that the best healthcare professionals are those who combine technical skill with genuine compassion. We train both.
Our Journey
2014
Safe Hands Institute founded in Columbus, Ohio
2015
Became an AHA Authorized Training Center
2017
Ohio Board of Nursing approved our CNA program
2019
Launched Phlebotomy and Medication Administration programs
2022
Surpassed 2,000 certified graduates
2025
Expanded to evening and weekend course offerings
What We Stand For
Our Core Values
These principles guide every course we teach and every student we serve.
Compassion First
We believe great healthcare starts with empathy. Every course is designed to build not just skills, but the heart behind them.
Standards of Excellence
Our curriculum meets or exceeds Ohio state requirements and American Heart Association guidelines.
Community Focused
We serve Columbus and surrounding communities, prioritizing accessible, affordable training for working adults.
Hands-On Learning
Every program includes practical, skills-based training — not just classroom theory.
Meet the Team
Our Instructors
Every Safe Hands instructor is an active or former healthcare professional with real-world clinical experience and state-recognized teaching credentials.
Patricia Hayes, RN, BSN
Lead Instructor — CNA & Medication Administration
Patricia brings over 18 years of clinical nursing experience from OhioHealth and Nationwide Children's Hospital. She holds a BSN from Ohio State University and is passionate about preparing the next generation of care professionals.
Marcus Johnson, EMT-P
Lead Instructor — CPR, First Aid & BLS/ACLS
Marcus is a licensed Paramedic with 12 years of field experience with Columbus Fire Division. He is an AHA-certified BLS and ACLS instructor who has trained hundreds of healthcare workers across central Ohio.
Linda Osei, CPT, MLT
Lead Instructor — Phlebotomy
Linda is a Certified Phlebotomy Technician and Medical Lab Technician with 10 years of experience at Mount Carmel Health System. She specializes in hands-on venipuncture training and NHA exam preparation.
Accreditations
Credentials You Can Trust
Safe Hands Institute is fully accredited and approved by the governing bodies that matter most to employers and licensing boards in Ohio and beyond.
American Heart Association (AHA) Authorized Training Center
HSI (Health & Safety Institute) Certified Training Provider
Workforce Compliance Training Provider — HIPAA, OSHA, Elder Abuse, and more
Ohio Board of Nursing Approved CNA Program (Enrollment Coming Soon)
National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Affiliated
Ohio Department of Health Approved Medication Administration Program (Coming Soon)
Flexible Training
How We Serve You
We offer flexible training options across two program tracks: CPR & First Aid certifications, and Workforce Compliance Training. Evening classes run Monday through Thursday at 5 PM through 10 PM.
Individual Sessions
One-on-one training tailored to your schedule. Perfect for individuals seeking certification on their own time.
Group Sessions
Bring 5 or more people and save $5 per person. Great for families, coworkers, or community groups.
Business Partnerships
Flat-rate pricing for all employees. We handle new hire certification, annual recertification, and skills fairs.
We Come to You
On-site training at your facility or workplace. No need to travel — we bring the training to your team.
Workforce Training & Compliance Certifications
In addition to CPR and First Aid, Safe Hands Institute offers a full suite of workforce compliance courses for healthcare workers, care facilities, and employers. Courses include HIPAA Compliance (Basic & Advanced), Dementia Care, OSHA Basics, Workplace Violence Prevention, Fire Safety, Hazard Communication, Elder Abuse Recognition, Patient Rights, Cultural Competency, Sexual Harassment Prevention, and Documentation Basics.
All workforce courses are available in-person ($50), live via Zoom ($40), or self-paced online ($35). Bundle discounts are available for multiple course enrollments.
View Workforce CoursesEmployer & Business Partnerships
Safe Hands Institute partners with businesses of all sizes to keep their workforce certified and compliant. We offer a flat rate per employee — whether you have 5 staff or 500. Services include on-site training at your location, new hire certification programs, annual recertification, and skills fair events. We work with healthcare facilities, schools, daycares, gyms, corporate offices, and more.
Contact Us About PartnershipReady to Start Your Healthcare Career?
Browse our upcoming course dates and reserve your seat today.
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