There are options to receive training for free if you have decided to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Pennsylvania. In this article, we will provide you with examples of some free CNA training options. Most CNAs in Pennsylvania make an annual salary between $22,000 and $29,000. Pennsylvania is one of the states that hires the highest number of CNAs and so you will have good opportunities working here.
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CNA Training Programs in PA
If you are a nursing student or have graduated from a nursing program, you may be granted permission to sit for the CNA exam without going through a class. But most individuals will need to find a state approved CNA program to start out their career. You must attend a program on this list: http://www.education.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/nurse_aide_training_program/7685.
An approved CNA training program cannot be less than 80 total hours. There must be at least 37.5 of clinical training. In order to enroll in a program you will need to have your background check and fingerprinting completed. You can begin the process by going to this website: https://www.pa.cogentid.com/index_pdeNew.htm.
Free CNA Training in PA – Direct Opportunities
Caregivers of America
23 S Centre St-Pottsville, PA 17901
Caregivers of America in Pottsville, PA offers free training for individuals who wish to work for them as certified nursing assistants. The training provided to you wil include not only the classroom instruction but the clinical instruction at no out of pocket cost for you. You do not need previous experience related to the healthcare industry to apply for this free help. This opportuity also includes online training in addition to job shadowing of other caregivers. You will receive free scrubs and some of the other supplies you need.
Please keep in mind you will be required to remain employed for Caregivers of America for a designated amount of time in exchange for the training you receive. They will let you know what this length of time is before hiring you and providing the no cost training. This opportunity can provide a great start to a CNA career. There are Caregiver of America offices throughout the state of Pennsylvania. Free training is probably available in a city near you. Contact a local agency for information on how you can apply and on the steps needed for you to receive the nursing assistant training at no cost to you.
Community College of Allegheny County
118 Birnesser Dr-Beaver Falls, PA 15010
You might qualify to receive free training to become a certified nursing assistant through a program at the Community College of Allegheny County. It is called the Health Professional Opportunity Grant and is for students who will take healthcare training courses-one of which is the CNA training program. This grant program is for individuals with a low income who are looking to start a career in the healthcare industry to improve their earning potential and lives. You will need to visit the website to view the income limits because it does vary depending on the size of your family. The Health Professional Opportunity Grant is only available to individuals who are residents of Allegheny County.
To qualify you will need to complete an application here: https://webapps.ccac.edu/HPogApplication/. In addition to tuition support, you can also receive free childcare for when you are taking your classes. There are options to receive help with transportation to get to the college for your classes and training as part of this scholarship program. If you meet the requirements, consider applying today! You can begin the application process online at the website listed above.
Great Lakes Home Healthcare and Hospice
1700 Peach Street, Erie PA 16501
If you wish to become a CNA for this health system but cannot afford CNA training, they will provide it for you. You will not need to pay for any of your tuition, textbooks or other materials. This is a good deal as some other free programs charge for textbooks or supplies.
The healthcare facility can train CNAs to have the exact skills they need and expect. They will provide all training and cover all topics necessary to make someone eligible to sit for the nursing assistant certification exam.
Expect to learn to carry out the following duties: document vital signs, document input and output, other documentation, feed, groom, dress and toilet patents (or assist them with these tasks), do medical supply stocking, answer call bells, move and reposition patients, wound care and more.
The class will teach you about patient privacy rights. You will learn about medical ethics and some medical legalities. You will learn a little anatomy and physiology and medical terminology.
If you work in the hospice center, you will gain knowledge for that unique but ever so important specialty. You will learn to provide compassionate care for individuals who are in end stages of diseases. You will be an important member of their team and will help to keep them calm and comfortable. You should also learn to iruvude empathetic support to their loved ones who are facing the potential loss of their family member in a short time.
Team Select Home Care
100 Front St, Suite 1275-Conshohocken, PA 19428
Team Select Home Care has been in business since 2008. They try to customize care for each and every client’s individual needs. They believe in using ingenuity to meet the needs of both clients and of staff. They do they’re best to provide loving, kind and compassionate care. They will train you to do exactly the same.
If you have a parent or family member who qualifies for the program where a family member can become a paid caregiver,Team Select Care Will help. They will provide you with free home health aid training. You do not need to have any previous training. The company will train you to safely and efficiently provide all necessary caregiver services to your loved one. You will gain the background instruction and hands on experience needed. This is a great program to allow individuals to be cared for by people they know and trust.
You will then work as the caregiver of your loved one through this home health agency. You will get paid and your loved one will receive care from someone they know and someone who they can trust.
As an in-home caregiver you will help with activities of daily living. Clients may need anywhere from minimal to total assistance. You will be the eyes and ears for their medical team by reporting any changes or any concerns promptly.
You will provide companionship while supervising your loved ones activities. You will help to make certain they stay safe. You may provide medication reminders for them. You will run errands and accompany them to appointments and on outings in the community.
Gracedale Nursing Home
Nazareth, PA – 669 Washington Street
Gracedale is located in a country setting. Their history dates back to the late 1800s when hundreds of acres were purchased. The area originally served as a home for poor people and those who were wards of the state. It later became a nursing care facility.
This nursing home actually has medical and dental clinics right on site. They have doctors there daily and available on call 24/7. They offer a full range of therapy services and dietary care. Even pet therapy is available.
They often offer free CNA classes for applicants who are a good fit to work as a CNA. This helps them to fill their growing need for more CNAs. They offer full-time and part-time employment. They even have per firm opportunities.
You do not need to already be certified to apply for work here. Their CNA training program spans a total of 125 training hours.
You do need to be motivated, at least 18, have graduated high school and drug free. You should have a clean criminal record, be highly motivated and hard working.
There is a lot of hands-on training. You will work with patients directly even before sitting for your certification exam. Of course classroom instruction to provide the other knowledge you need is also provided.
Learn to help patients with grooming, bathing, eating, toileting, walking and moving. Gain knowledge to do range of motion exercises with patients or to oversee exercises they’ve been asked to do. Your course will teach you how to reposition patients who are unable to do so themselves. You will learn to use equipment to assist with lifting and moving patients who are immobile. These are just a few of the skills you will learn.
The course will include topics like: medical laws, medical ethics, health information privacy, anatomy and physiology and medical terminology. You will be taught everything you need to know to sit for and to pass the state certification exam.
Please call to find out about training and employment opportunities: 610-829-6382
CNA Training Schools/Locations in Pennsylvania
Lehigh Carbon Community College
425 Education Park Drive-Schnecksville, PA 18078
You can receive the training and clinical experience needed to sit for the nursing assistant certification exam by attending the nursing aide course at Lehigh Carbon Community College. A clinical portion will be at nearby nursing care facilities. This program is a non credit training track. The cost of the program is $1251 and you may incur additional text book fees.
The class instruction portion of the course is usually provided at the Allentown Campus on West Hamilton Street with a potential session or two being held at the Tamaqua location on HIgh Street. Usually both day and evening classes are offered for students to receive the classroom portion of their training.
CNA students at LCCC will learn about a variety of nursing assistant related topics. Some key topics explored include rights of residents in addition to how to provide the best care in terms of legal and ethical practices. Students will gain theoretical background about how the body systems work and will gain a working knowledge of medical terminology. The course will also prepare students to have the know-how they need to help control the spread of infections.
Northampton Community College
3825 Green Pond Road-Bethlehem, PA 18020
Northampton Community College offers a training program for individuals to become certified nursing assistants. This program meets the necessary state requirements for students to be able to sit for the state certification exam after completing and passing the course. Students receive not only classroom instruction but also clinical instruction at local healthcare facilities.
The college offers their nursing assistant program at two of their campus locations: Monroe Campus and Family Southside Center. It is important for students to view the schedule for their location and session of interest because students are not able to miss even one class during this program.
The tuition for this 128 hour CNA course is $1100. There are some prerequisites a student must meet to sit for this class and those requirements must be approved by the college 2 weeks or more before the student’s session begin.
Luzerne County Community College
1333 South Prospect-Nanticoke, PA 18634
Luzerne County Community College offers a nursing assistant training course. Students will learn how to provide basic level nursing care to patients in a variety of settings. The course will teach enrollees how to assist patients with activities of daily living, take and record vital signs and even learn to help provide emergency care when needed.
Students will receive an overview of some common illnesses and injuries they might encounter in patients for which they are providing care. They will learn about infection spread control and will learn about safety and medical cleanliness. These are just a few samples of topics to be covered.
This course will allow students to sit for the competency exam once they finish not only their classroom instruction but also their hands on experience. Most clinical experience will be gained by providing care and working under the direction of other nursing staff at local nursing care facilities.
Out of State CNAs
You can apply for certification by reciprocity if you are a nursing assistant in a state other than PA. As long as you are active and have no negative notations on your registry listing, you can apply to be added to the PA nursing aide registry. You should not need to take a course or exam as long as your state’s requirements are similar to those in PA. You can find the forms to begin this process here: https://www.asisvcs.com/indhome.asp?CPCat=0639 NURSE.
Exam Requirements
You cannot take the exam until you have completed and passed your CNA training class. The exam will have a written knowledge section. It will also have a skills test session. You will be tested on 5 nursing assistant duties/skills during that time. You will not know prior to the test, which of the skills you will need to demonstrate other than knowing that one such skill will allow you to show that you can properly record vitals or measurements.
[su_note]If you fail one or both parts of exam, you will not become certified. You will need to repeat the part of the exam you failed until you receive a passing grade. You are only allowed to retake the test a couple times before you need to go back to CNA training. Your first attempt will cost $102 and there are fees for other attempts.[/su_note]
You will need to complete the application to sit for the exam and will need to submit verification that you completed a training course. Often times, your instructors will help you with this process. You can find testing locations and other details by heading over to this website: http://www.pearsonvue.com/pa/nurseaides/.
Places to Work as a CNA in Pennsylvania (That pay the best!)
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Department of Veterans Affairs
University Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15240
Ann’s Choice
16000 Ann’s Choice Way, Warminster, PA 18974
Carleton Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center
10 West Avenue, Wellsboro, PA 16901
Chambers Pointe Health Care Center
1425 Philadelphia Avenue, Chambersburg, PA 17201
Community at Rockhill
3250 State Road, Sellersville, PA 18960
Concordia at Rebecca Residence
3746 Cedar Ridge Road, Allison Park, PA 15101
Delaware Valley Veteran’s Home
2701 Southampton Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19154
CNA Training Center Reviews
Community College of Allegheny County – This college is a great stepping stone to start your education. They always have awesome activities that you can participate in and a bit of free food too. The environment is peaceful and beautiful, helps students focus on education. The tuition is affordable and students have the opportunity to gain various experiences and participate in sports too. Their nursing program is one of the best in the area.
Northampton Community College – Amazing professors, so many resources, great environment, enjoyable classes and a chance to meet so many new and awesome people.
Luzerne County Community College – Administration and teachers communicate well with students concerning important information example graduation, deadlines etc. Student advisers make time for you and are always ready to assist. Campus safety is up to the standards, work-life balance is great and everyone is friendly and helpful. The tuition is affordable, this college is just great! I love it.
CNA Training FAQs
How long is the CNA training in PA? Pennsylvania-approved training programs are at least 80 hours long and include about 37.5 hours of clinical practice.
How long can a CNA work without certification? A CNA can work up to 4 months without certification, some employers may hire individuals while they are still in a CNA training program if they have completed at least 16 hours of the program and intend to sit for the exam.
Can I get a student loan for CNA classes? Yes. Student loans are available to relieve the burden on students.
Do nursing homes offer CNA training? Many nursing assistant courses are offered through vocational centers and community colleges, however, some nursing homes do offer free CNA training.