Do you have a kind heart? Do you always find yourself wishing you can do more to help people, especially needy and disadvantaged people? A career as a Certified Nurse Aide, or CNA could be all that you need to fulfill your strong desire in helping needy people in the society.
CNAs mainly work in hospitals, clinics, and long-term healthcare facilities, all places where help is much needed. As the name would suggest, a CNA works as a Nursing Assistant, therefore are under the direct supervision of Registered Nurses or LPNs.
Of course it would be difficult to kick-start such a lucrative career without formal training. If you are considering kick-starting your career as a CNA in West Virginia, then rest assured there are enough training and certification opportunities for you to look at.
The good news is that CNA training takes a significantly short time, meaning you can finish your training and start working as a nurse assistant in a matter of weeks. So how do you become a CNA?
1. First and foremost you will need to register for a state-approved CNA training program. For you to become a fully-fledged CNA, you will need to cover a minimum of 120 hours of comprehensive training. Training opportunities are in vocational training centers, nursing homes, high schools, as well as community colleges.
At the moment there are over 100 state-approved training programs throughout the state of West Virginia, hence it will not be a hard nut to crack when looking for a program that will just work for you. Be advised that West Virginia doesn’t recognized online CNA training programs.
2. Start and complete your training program. In order to be a registered CNA in the state of West Virginia, you should complete a minimum of 65 hours of class work coupled with lab training, and an additional 55 hours of practical hands-on training in an institution that is approved by Medicaid/Medicare. Note that unless you are sponsored by Medicaid/Medicare, or are an employee, there is normally a fee charged for this clinical training.
3. Pass the examination. As expected, you must sit and pass the State-approved competency evaluation test in order to be certified. The test generally covers a clinical practical exam and a written examination. Practicals in the exam may include such simple things as combing the hair of the patients, repositioning them in bed, taking their temperatures, or even cleaning their fingernails and feeding them.
You will need to demonstrate good hygiene, safety, dignity, observe patient’s privacy, and be very professional and friendly at the same time, with the patients.