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/ CNA Program

Certified Nursing Assistant Training

You can have a good job in 3 months! Inquire about our 12 week course that teaches medical terminology, math, classroom and skills training, as well as, clinical experience. The course also includes employability skills development. The course is offered approximately three times a year.

For details, registration or information regarding eligibility and funding, contact Izabella at 484-798-0122 or via e-mail: izabellad@cc-oic.org or Tara at 484-798-0730.

About CNA Training

A nurse aide (NA) (sometimes called a direct care worker, nursing assistant or care manager) is a very caring person who provides dignified care and assistance to residents/patients/clients to keep them comfortable, safe, and as healthy as they can be. These aides always work under the supervision of a licensed nurse. They can work in nursing homes, hospitals or provide personal care in the home. This is a physically demanding job. Program candidates must have full use of the hands, arms, and legs, the ability to lift 40 pounds, stand for long periods of time (5+ hours) and be free of communicable diseases.  A medical examination and 2 step PPD TB test are required by law for entrance into the program.

Nurse Aides perform all types of personal care for individuals who cannot take care of their own physical needs, and they must understand the aging process. They must have good verbal skills to communicate between the resident and other members of the health care team. They must be sensitive to the needs of the aging population.
Nurse Aides provide personal care, such as feeding, bathing, and assisting patients with dressing, elimination needs, personal grooming and hair care. Nurse aides also promote independence and self-care for the elderly. Duties do not include giving medications or injections. The nurse aide is the front line of care giving to long-term care residents. The nurse aide spends more time with the resident/patient/client than other care team member. Observation of the resident’s condition as well as any changes is a vital role in the nursing assistant’s daily activities.

About Our Program

The Chester County OIC Nurse Aide Training Program is a 128-hour intense training opportunity for those who wish to become certified nurse aides. Some of the topics covered are: Role and function of a nurse aide, nursing theory, infection control, vital signs, personal hygiene, nutrition, resident rights, restorative care and psychosocial needs. The training program also includes additional wrap-around hours of Literacy & Work Readiness Skills Training with up to 30 hours of pre-NNAAP exam practice. The training program partners with Barclay Friends Nursing Home and program trainees perform clinical experience on site. CCOIC is an American Red Cross approved testing facility and our program graduates take their certification exam at our training location in West Chester. All of our instructors are professional and caring. Our licensed nursing staff has state approval with many years of long term care experience. CCOIC’s Nurse Aide Training Program is accredited by the PA Department of Education-Bureau of Career & Technical Education.

The purpose of this course is to provide the long-term care nurse aide student with a basic level of knowledge and skills needed to care for an elderly resident/client as set forth by the profession of nursing and regulated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Upon successful completion of the course, the nurse aide graduates are prepared to take the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program Exam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a demand for CNAs?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics for USA – Employment of nurse aides, orderlies, and attendants is expected to grow by 20 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. Because of the growing elderly population, many nurse aides, orderlies, and attendants will be needed in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes.

What is the average salary and pay?

Median salary  for nurse aides in a long term care facility setting in Chester County is $29,184 and $24,464 for nurse aides in other healthcare settings

How should I dress in class?

For the first 3 weeks of class: Business casual clothing or scrubs. No jeans or leggings are permitted.

For the remaining weeks of training: Purchase navy blue scrubs, non-skid white or black nurse shoes or sneakers, and a watch with a sweep second hand. During class orientation, information will be given regarding the purchase of navy blue scrubs.

For classroom and clinical attendance, graduation and NNAAP exam and Job Fair-the CCOIC uniform (Navy blue scrubs, non-skid shoes or sneakers and socks and watch with sweep second hand is required.
Practice days: Scrubs (uniform or any type of scrubs)

What are the class times?

Classes are held daily from 7:30AM-3:30 PM for 8 weeks of pre-session, classroom theory, lab skills, and clinical experience. The remaining weeks are devoted to employability preparation and NNAAP exam practice and will have a variable schedule according to group assignment for up to 4 weeks following training

What items are needed to enroll in training?

IDENTIFICATION– Age (18 years or older), Education (American) GED or High School diploma and identification (2 forms of ID, 1 must be a photo ID) and Proof of Employment Eligibility- Social Security Card

PHYSICAL – Exam must have taken place less than one year from the class start date. Form must be signed by MD, PA, NP or DO. Documentation of the physical must include that the student is able to lift 40 pounds to waist level without any physical limitations or restriction and is free from communicable disease.

PPD –

  • 2-step tuberculin must be administered and results read within one year of the start of the class.
  • Documentation of two (2) separate PPD tests (include dates and signature when administered and read). Second PPD should be administered 7-21 days after the first PPD is read. Both steps must be administered and read prior to the class start date. Written report of chest x-ray if PPD is positive.
  • A QuantiFERON TB Gold test is an alternative option

CHRI – Criminal History Record Information must be less than one (1) year old from class start date. $22 non-refundable fee to CCOIC for the Pennsylvania State Police Background Check. No other state or online record check service will be allowed.

If you have any questions regarding any items on your background check or have a question concerning the prohibitive offenses, please contact our office at (610) 692-2344 ext *13

If you have not been a resident of Pennsylvania for the past two consecutive years, you are required to complete a Federal Background Check in addition to the PA State Police background check. Please contact our office for further information.

How do I sign up?

Call Chester County OIC to make an appointment for intake and pre-admission testing (3 hours) and the date of the next training session.

Bring to the appointment $22.00 cash for CHRI, two forms of ID: one must be a photo ID with signature (driver’s license, passport, a government issued ID), Social Security Card, High School diploma or GED, children’s’ birth certificates and SS cards, household income.
Candidates are required to submit a unique drug screen at the Occupational Health Center at the Fern Hill Medical Campus. The cost is $44.00.

To register for the CNA Program, please contact: Program Intake Specialist: Izabella D. Chester County OIC 22 N 5th Avenue, Coatesville, PA 19320 Izabellad@cc-oic.org 610-692-2344 Ext *13

How much does the training cost?

The cost of the program is approximately $4,000 with books and fees included. To determine eligibility and to qualify for funding to cover most of the training costs, you must provide proof of Chester County residency and household income (pay stubs, unemployment compensation statement, Public Assistance determination statement, etc.) birth certificates and social security cards for dependent children. Funds may be available through CCOIC, one time only, with Community Service Block Grant eligibility- household income must be 125% or below Federal Poverty Guidelines. Fees for CPR instruction, course workbook, liability insurance and the NNAAP Exam are the responsibility of the student.–OR-Funding may be available through the Chester County CareerLink, who administers Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Title I funding, one time only, through an Individual Training Account. The fees for course workbook, liability insurance and the NNAAP Exam are covered by this funding source. CPR instruction fee is not covered. To determine your eligibility and what is required to establish eligibility, please call or visit the PA CareerLink-Chester County Welcome Center at 610-280-1060 between 9:30AM and 2:30PM for more information. 

Prospective students who are not eligible for public funding can arrange a payment plan with CCOIC, however, all tuition ($4,000) must be paid in full before the first day of class.

ABOUT US

Chester County Opportunities Industrialization Center is a non-profit community- based organization that has been meeting the needs of the economically disadvantaged individuals throughout the community. 

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