The CNA training centers that are open for enrollment in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania are all found here. If you have any inquiries, you can call the number that is also provided on this page.
Bethlehem Area Vocational Technical School
3300 Chester Ave.,
Bethlehem, PA 18020
(610) 866-8013
Northampton Community College
3835 Green Pond Road,
Bethlehem, PA 18017
(610) 861-5300
Do you wish to become a certified nursing aide in Pennsylvania? If you do, then good for you! A long, stable career waits for those who are in this line of work. Job opportunities constantly present themselves in this field for health care will always be a demand. Since you wish to become a CNA, it is best to know what the requirements.
Certified nursing assistant schools
All would-be CNAs must undergo proper training. It is important that every nursing aide knows how to properly take care of the patients. An aspiring candidate can learn all that he needs by enrolling in a state-approved class. These classes will teach students the knowledge and skills needed to meet the each patient’s health care needs. The classes will help prepare aspirants to handle different situations that might arise in the clinical setting.
These programs will be teaching you about various health care subjects and skills that you will need when you take care of the patients and deal with their families. You will be taught in nursing fundamentals, emergency procedures, infection control, transporting patients, nourishment, postmortem care, catheter care, housekeeping, toileting, bathing, dressing, recording vitals, and patient rights.
Where can you find a CNA class?
These types of classes are offered by different healthcare facilities and training institutions all over the United States. You can find classes offered by hospitals, nursing homes, community colleges, technical and vocational schools, private training centers, and government organizations. Just make sure that their training curriculum is approved by the Department of Education before you enroll.
The American Red Cross offers a 4-week CNA course in Pennsylvania that’s also approved by the Department of Education. Each training class has one nurse aide instructor per 10 students to facilitate maximum learning. ARC tuition is $1,300 which already includes payment for books, uniforms, and the testing fee of $102. Grants are also available for those who have financial issues. For questions, please call the ARC at (215) 405-8535 or follow this link: http://www.redcross.org/pa/philadelphia/local-classes/nursing-assistant-training.
CNA exams
Taking the exams is the final step in becoming a certified nursing aide. Students of a nurse aide certification program are allowed 24 months to pass the exams after completing their classes. Often the exams are provided at the same location you went through your training. To find the nearest testing facility you can contact the American Red Cross at 800-795-2350.
Testing is made up of two parts that comprise of a written and skills test. The written exam may be replaced with an oral version by indicating it on the application form. Candidates have 2 years after completing their training to pass both tests. Candidates who fail to pass within that time will be required to undergo retraining.
Each candidate is given 3 attempts within the 2 years after they complete training. If they use up all their attempts and undergo retraining, they will have to retake both tests, instead of just the part that they failed.
Nurse Aide Registry
Those who pass both exams are included on the state registry which enables them to work in hospitals, and nursing homes. A CNA must renew his certification every 2 years. The state requires a nursing aide to renew his or her registration on the Nurse Aide Registry to continue his/her eligibility to work in a federally certified long-term care facility. In order to qualify, a certified nursing aide must work for at least 8 hours while under the supervision of an RN. Self-employment or working in the physician’s clinic does not qualify. No CNA is allowed to continue working with an expired certification.
This city is a part of both Lehigh and Northampton Counties. You should not mix up this city with New Bethlehem. Bethlehem is also known as The Christmas City and The Steel City. With a total population of 74,982 during the 2010 census, they are the 7th most populous city in the state. They have a population density of 3,704.4/sq mile. The total area of the city is approximately 19.4 sq miles, where the vast majority of it is land. You can find that Bethlehem is surrounded by other places like Hanover, Allentown, Fountain Hill, Nazareth, Easton, and Hellertown.
Even though the St. Luke’s Hospital is located in the neighboring community of Fountain Hill, it still serves as one of the major health care facilities that are serving the city. Other health care centers that you can find include Lehigh Valley Heart & Lung Surgeons, Lehigh Valley Surgical Oncology, Academy Associates/Apartment Clinical Consultants Inc., Valley Access Center, Muhlenberg Hospital Center, Stc Inc., Pennsylvania Pain Specialists, and Women’s Health Center of Bethlehem. photo attribution: ufv