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CNA Schools in Oklahoma
By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: February, 5 2010
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Education for Certified Nurse Assistants in Oklahoma
There are over 400 approved training and competency evaluation programs in Oklahoma. Most of these programs are administered by nursing facilities, most of which are Long Term Care Facilities; however there are also home health aide programs, disability direct care facilities, certified medication aide programs, and others which are certified to hire and train nurse aides.
The curriculum of Oklahoma CNA training programs generally includes 75 total hours of both classroom and clinical work. Sixteen of the hours must be completed before any clinical work with patients or residence is undertaken by any nurse aide. These preliminary hours usually cover critical instructions in handling emergency situations and infection control. The rest of the hours cover a wide range of possible tasks that aides may encounter during their careers. In all, nurse aide trainees must cover 29 topics in order to be certified. These topics cover everything from bathing patients, positioning patients, nutrition, skin care, etc. After all of these topics are covered, the trainee must then pass an examination that includes a paper and pencil portion and a hands-on clinical portion. After that, the nurse aide’s name and contact information is logged into the state registry.
This process is typical for most states. Oklahoma, however, does have two unique portions to its training. (1) All nurse aides in the state must also take 10 hours of training in handling patients with Alzheimer’s disease. (2) Oklahoma also offers “CNA Career Ladder Training” aimed at improving the quality and abilities of nurse aides, especially at nursing homes. This special training can be 27-30 hours long and includes 11 modules. The topics covered in the modules may include team work, spirituality, quality of life, importance of family, and culture change. Some of the other more common topics previously covered during the normal training are also reemphasized, such as aging and communication skills. The training is free to certified nurse aides that have worked for the same employer for over six months. Administrators of the nursing facility must write a letter of reference for the nurse aide to be allowed into the program. More information may be found by contacting the Oklahoma State Department of Health.
Through either online or campus based programs, aspiring C.N.A.s in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Norman, Oklahoma may be able to prepare themselves for the possibility of employment in some of the largest hospitals and healthcare facilities in the state including the Saint Francis Hospital, Oklahoma State University Medical Center, Saint Anthony Hospital and the many INTEGRIS Health Centers.
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Special Health Services – 0525
Nurse Aide Registry
1000 NE 10th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73117-1299
Telephone: (405) 271-4085
FAX: (405) 271-1130
CNA Schools in Oklahoma
- Oklahoma City
- Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting
- Associate of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Associate of Applied Science in Health Care Administration
- Joplin
- Medical Assistant
