CNA Classes in Pennsylvania

CNA Training Programs in Pennsylvania

Nurse aides in Pennsylvania need to take extensive training courses pursuant to entering this career.  The CNA training program must be at least 75 hours and approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.  The 75 hours will include both classes and supervised clinical participation.  About 30 different subjects are covered during the training, including hygiene for patients, transporting residents, aging, care for the dying, patient rights, etc.

After completing the training, nurse aide trainees have 24 months to take an examination before registry.  If more than 24 months elapses, then trainees must take the courses again.  In Pennsylvania, the testing is administered by The American Red Cross and taken at Pearson VUE testing sites.  There are 15 permanent Pearson VUE testing sites in Pennsylvania.  There are two parts to the exam.  The first part is a written portion consisting of 50 multiple-choice questions.  The test may also be given orally, in which test takers will listen to the questions presented on a cassette and the record their answers.  The second part of the exam is a clinical skills evaluation consisting of five randomly selected skills that were taught to the trainee during the 75-hour training program.  Some of the skills that may be asked are washing hands, ambulation of patients using gait belts, assisting patients in and out of bed, dressing a patient, etc.  The written portion should take no more than two hours and the skills evaluation will take about 30-45 minutes.  Trainees will have three chances to pass the exam, and must enter a training program again after the third failed attempt of the exam.  The combined exam fee is $102, unless the trainee is already employed by a nursing care facility.  If this is the case, then Medicare and Medicaid should cover the cost of training and examining the nursing aide.

Through online programs, aspiring C.N.A.s in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown and Erie, Pennsylvania 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 Albert Einstein Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Saint Luke's Hospitals and Temple University Hospital.

Pennsylvania Department of Health
Division of Nursing Care Facilities
Health and Welfare Building
8th Floor West
625 Forster Street
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Tel:  (717) 787-1816
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/nurse_aide_registry/14154