As a healthcare professional, a certified nursing assistant (CNA) meets patients’ personal and healthcare needs under the direct supervision of a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse. An interesting aspect of the profession is the option to work in different sectors of the health care industry, including nursing homes, patients’ homes, assisted living facilities, adult day care centers, and hospitals. The ability to work in various facilities is beneficial when you need a change of pace or setting. Although a CNA’s responsibilities are similar across health care facilities, a change of setting will still add variety to your routine.
As a CNA, you’ll assist patients or residents with the activities of daily living. This is a core duty for all CNAs and involves bathing patients, combing their hair, clipping nails, brushing their teeth, turning, transferring, and repositioning patients, serving meals and helping those who cannot feed themselves. Another common duty is the measuring of vital signs. CNA training programs cover the clinical skills needed to take and record vitals, such as temperature, pulse, blood pressure, weight, and pain level.
Patients who are unable to attend to their daily needs won’t have the ability to maintain their surroundings. As a CNA, you’ll make patients’ beds, empty bed pans, keep their rooms clean, and remove their feeding trays. Due to the intimate nature of the duties, CNAs form close relationships with their patients and are in the best position to observe changes in their physical or mental health. You’ll need to listen to patients and observe closely to assess the things that are not said. Any concerns must be reported to nurses, especially if there is a decline in the patient’s health or an adverse reaction to medication or treatment. Prospective CNAs in Maine undergo the most intensive training of all states, completing at least 180 hours of theory and clinical instruction, which far exceeds the federal requirements of 75 hours.
Maine College of Health Professions
The Certified Nursing Assistant program at MCHP provides the knowledge and skills adults need to secure employment as a certified nursing assistant. The curriculum follows the guidelines required by the Maine Board of Nursing, including anatomy and physiology, infection control, entry to health care, caring for the patient across the lifespan, legal and ethical aspects of care, patient safety, communication and interpersonal skills, personal hygiene, rehabilitation techniques, patient transfers and range of motion exercises. The required labs and theory will be conducted on Wednesdays. Some of the coursework will be completed online. The clinical rotations will be scheduled on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. At the conclusion of the program, students will have the opportunity to sit for the state exam.
Admission criteria:
- Be 18 years or older
- Provide a copy of ID and Social Security Card
- Submit to a background check
- Complete drug screen
- Provide immunization records
- Current CPR certification
The estimated cost of attendance is $1065 and includes the background check fee, Accuplacer entrance exam, registration fee, technology fee, certificate fee, accident insurance, and Maine CNA state fee.
- Website: http://www.mchp.edu/certified-nursing-assistant#
- Address: 70 Middle Street, Lewiston, Maine 04240
- Phone: (207) 795-2840
- Fax: (207) 795-2849
Lewiston Regional Technical Center
Students enrolled in the Certified Nursing Assistant program at Lewiston Regional Technical Center will learn the specialized skills required to work as a CNA. In addition to classroom theory, students will also have the opportunity to develop technical skills during clinical rotations in long-term care facilities, residential care facilities, and hospitals. The clinical sessions will be conducted under the direction of a Registered Nurse instructor. The curriculum covers a minimum of 180 hours of instruction: 90 hours in the classroom, 20 hours in a skills lab, and 70 hours of clinical rotations. It includes instruction in basic patient care techniques, Health Care Provider CPR training and AED and First Aid, law and ethics, the role and responsibility of the nurse aide, infection control, measuring and recording vital signs, physical body systems, observation and reporting, hospice care, personal hygiene, nutrition and feeding, and communication. Students must maintain an average grade of 70 percent to graduate from the program. The program includes the development of a portfolio through resume writing and cover letter writing skills that will help students secure employment in health care. Classes meet from 7:45 am to 12:00 pm for 36 weeks.
Admission criteria:
- Be 16 years of age
- Be a junior or senior in high school
- Commit to attend all the classes
- Be free from drugs and alcohol as evidence from a drug screen
- Have good physical and mental health
- Be capable of reading and comprehending at the 10th-grade level
- Have no criminal convictions
- Provide required evidence of immunization – MMR, Tetanus, Hepatitis B, varicella, and two negative PPDs.
- Have reliable transportation to the clinical site
Contact the school for a current schedule and tuition for the program.
- Website: https://lewiston.mainecte.org/program/nurse-assisting/
- Address: 156 East Avenue, Lewiston, ME 04240
- Phone: (207) 795-4144
Helping Hands Trade School – Health Occupation Training Centers
The Certified Nursing Assistant program at Helping Hands Trade School leads to State Certification. The curriculum includes 90 hours of theory, 20 hours of laboratory experience, and 70 hours of clinical experience. Course topics include the role and responsibility of the nurse aide, nutrition and feeding, vital signs, infection control, communication and interpersonal skills, anatomy and physiology, personal hygiene, safety and emergency procedures, and hospice care. Students will participate in supervised patient care experiences at a long-term care facility and under the direction of a registered nurse. Attendance of all classes is mandatory. Classes meet Tuesday and Thursday from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm.
Admission criteria:
- Be 16 years of age
- Be a junior or senior in high school
- Complete drug screen
- Have good physical and mental health
- Be capable of reading and comprehending at the 10th-grade level
- Pass a criminal background check
- Provide required evidence of immunization – MMR, Tetanus, Hepatitis B, varicella, and two negative PPDs.
- Pay the non-refundable registration fee of $40
Tuition costs $1050 and does not include expenses for books and supplies.
- Website: https://helpinghandsmaine.com/
- Address: 571 Sabattus St., Suite 2, Lewiston, Maine, 04240
- Phone: (207) 777-5294
- Toll-free: 1 (800) 777-8976
- Email: helpinghands@gwi.net