CNA Class - Certified Nursing Assistant Program & Testing

The Harborview School Nurse Assistant Training Program teaches students the skills that will enable nursing assistants to provide quality care for residents in nursing homes, as well as supplemental information and skills that will enable graduates to provide quality health care for clients at home and patients in hospitals. Certified Nursing Assistants CNA provide intimate, hands-on healthcare to patients in medical settings, helping with bathing, dressing, and the basic activities of life. A day in the life of a CNA might also include:

            In the Nursing Assistant Couse you will learn the following:

• Turning or repositioning bedridden patients
• Taking patients’ temperature, blood pressure, and other vital signs
• Answering patient calls
• Documenting patients’ health issues and reporting to nurses
• Feeding patients, measuring and recording their food and liquid intake
• Cleaning rooms and bed linens
• Helping with medical procedures
• Dressing wounds

          Our course curriculum includes textbook lectures and in-depth instruction in the following areas:

· The Art of Caregiving

· Promoting Safety

· Providing Care

· Special Care Instructions

· Transitioning from Student to Employee

The Harborview School Certified Nursing Assistant Training course has two components.

Nursing Assistant Training  Program Part 1 (Theory)

Part one of our Certified  Nursing Assistant Training takes place in the classroom. In the CNA class theory training, students will learn all aspects of patient care, through lectures as well as hands-on demonstrations and practice. Students are also certified in EKG

Nursing Assistant Training Program Part 2 (Clinical)

Upon completion of the CNA class, the second part of the program will consist of clinical training. During clinical training students will work directly with patients in a health care facility.   During your clinical rotation experience you will work side by side with other aides, nurses and medical professionals. You will learn what working as a certified nurse assistant is like every day in a long-term care facility. A licensed nurse, who is approved by the state as a Nurse Assistant Training Instructor, will be with you during your clinical training.

A CNA  job can be physically demanding at times with some unpleasant responsibilities, but the role also allows CNAs to build strong relationships with patients.

While  a CNA can be found in hospitals, the majority of them work in nursing and residential care facilities, where a CNA interact with patients on a regular basis and get to know them personally. If you’re interested in joining the health care field, becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant, also known as a CNA, nurses’ aid, home health aide a CNA Class at Harborview School is a grate place to get your CNA training. In our CNA program you will Learn which personal and professional traits you’ll need to succeed as a CNA.

You should have and must have the following skills:

• Compassionate Strong decision-making skills
• An excellent listener Excellent attention to detail
• Supportive Good communication skills
• Dependable Problem-solving skills
• Physically fit Good ethical standards
• Good-natured Ability to maintain interpersonal relationships

 How to Become a CNA

You don’t need a degree or a High School diploma to become a CNA, but you will need to enroll in a CNA class to earn a CNA Certification and pass State Nurses Aid Exam a competency exam.  

In our CNA classes, you’ll learn about infection control, taking vital signs and delivering personal care. Topics also include communication skills and patients’ rights. Upon completing your CNA training, you’ll take the CNA certification exam, which usually includes a multiple-choice exam and a manual skills test.

With a strong job outlook and flexible work hours, the CNA role is a great entry point into the healthcare field. Our CNA program is 6 weeks  and 1 week of clinical at a local Long Term Health Care Facility

What education or certification will I need to become a certified nursing assistant?

Unlike many other nursing jobs, a certified nursing assistant doesn’t need  a high school diploma or earn a bachelor’s degree or higher to practice.  Formal training resulting in a post-secondary CNA Certificate is required. The training typically marries basic nursing principles with hands-on supervised clinical work.  

CNA Class graduates aren’t completely done once their state-required education is complete. They must pass a state exam proving their competency and if they do so, they are listed in the state registry. The  Connecticut Department of Health can provide comprehensive information on what exactly is needed to become a CNA.  Some will require a background (criminal) check or continuing education.

Certified Nursing Assistant Job Description:

​​A certified nursing assistant job includes wearing many hats.  A certified nursing assistant’s (CNA) main role is to provide basic care to patients, as well as assist them in daily activities they might have trouble with on their own, such as bathing. Because of the personal nature of the job, a certified nursing assistant job description must include people skills and the ability to compassionate and enjoy helping others. In nursing or long-term care facilities, a CNA is often a patient’s main caregiver.

CNAs also work with medical technology, like billing software, health information software and medical record charting software. In some facilities, a CNA will administer medication to patients, but this usually depends on the CNAs level of training and experience, as well as state regulations.

CNAs report to either registered nurses or licensed practical or licensed vocational nurses. They should have phenomenal communication skills since it’s their job to bring all patient concerns and issues to their supervisor.

What does a certified nursing assistant job description consist of?

CNAs assist patients with daily activities and while some CNAs have additional responsibilities, the core functions on the job include:

• Bathe and dress patients
• Serve meals and help patients eat
• Take vital signs
• Turn or reposition bedridden patients
• Collect information about conditions and treatment plans from caregivers, nurses, and doctors
• Provide and empty bedpans
• Lift patients into beds, wheelchairs, exam tables, etc.
• Answer patient calls
• Examine patients for bruises, blood in urine or other injuries/wounds
• Clean and sanitize patient areas
• Change bed sheets and restock rooms with necessary supplies

CNAs also serve as a conduit between patients and nurses and doctors and record and communicate all issues to medical staff.  Other CNA duties might include transporting patients to operating rooms or treatment units and setting up equipment at a nurse or doctor’s request.

CNAs should understand the job isn’t glamorous and can be graphic at times. From dressing wounds to cleaning a patient after an accident, CNAs are often put to the test on a daily basis.

Because CNA jobs can cause burn out, you may decide to head in another direction with your nursing career. If that’s the case, an associate’s degree can help you become a registered nurse.

What career paths can I take as a certified nursing assistant?

CNAs work in state, local and private hospitals, but they’re most prevalent in nursing and long-term care facilities. Due to the nature of the medical field, the likelihood you’ll be asked to work irregular hours (nights, weekends and holidays) is high.

Nursing and long-term care facilities: As the population ages and those who are disabled and need long-term care, the role of certified nursing assistants has become more necessary. If you’re interested in working as a CNA for an extended period of time, one of these facilities could be right for you. The upside of working in a nursing home or long-term care facility is the relationships you make with patients and job security.

Hospitals: While the tasks are generally similar, a hospital CNA usually doesn’t spend as much time with the same patients since most are discharged within a maximum of a few days. However, if you’re more interested in working in a faster-paced environment, a hospital could be for you. Hospitals can also provide CNAs with experience in different departments, such as the emergency room.

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