CNAs are an integral part of the healthcare industry. Therefore, they must meet specific requirements and obtain certification, which shows they’re capable of managing assigned tasks and responsibilities. Bona fide CNA training programs must provide up to 75 hours of training, which includes 51 hours in the classroom and an additional 24 hours at a medical facility. Graduates are eligible to sit the competency exam to qualify for placement on the Texas Nurse Aide Registry. The evaluation includes a written exam and skills test to determine competency with techniques required on the job. The Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) is the governing body for the management and addition of nurse aides to the registry.
St. Phillips College
The 108-hour nurse assistant program at St. Philips College covers lectures and clinical components to prepare students for certification as a nurse aide. The curriculum prepares students to take the Texas certification exam to obtain certification from DADS. Certified graduates can assume an entry-level position at a long-term care facility, nursing home or hospital. Topics include communication skills, basic nursing skills, residents’ rights, emergency safety procedures, range of motion, medical terminology, infection control, and patient comfort. The program is licensed by Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services, so graduates will be eligible to sit for the state exam to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. The duration of the program is 6 to 7 weeks.
Admission criteria:
- Attend a mandatory online orientation
- Pass a criminal background check and drug screen
- Submit immunization records
Tuition for the full program is $1033. The cost of textbooks, scrubs, administrative costs, and supplies is not included.
Website: https://www.alamo.edu/spc/
Address: 1801 Martin Luther King Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78203
Phone: (210) 486-2771
Fax: (210) 486-9000
North East ISD
Experienced faculty at North East ISD teach students the techniques and skills to care for residents in a long-term care setting. The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services approved program comprises of 80 hours of lectures and skills practice to prepare students for competent care. A 40-hour clinical experience is available for students who pass the lecture/lab portion of the training. Attendance, mastery of skills, and grades will also determine students’ eligibility to advance to the clinical training. Apart from preparation for employment, the rigorous program includes exam review so students have the confidence to pass the state certification exam to be placed on the Texas Nurse Aide Registry.
Admission criteria:
- Must be a high school graduate or have a GED
- Must be 18 years or older
- Must be able to read, write, and speak English
- Must have reliable transport to get to the clinical site
- Provide proof of a negative TB test
- Have no felony convictions and no communicable diseases
- Provide two letters of recommendations from a past employer or previous instructor
- Submit a completed application with the above requirements during the admission process
The tuition of $850 includes textbook, workbook, and the criminal background check.
Website: https://www.neisd.net/Page/133
Address: 8961 Tesoro Drive, San Antonio, TX 78217
Phone: 210-407-0000
Savant Achievement Center
The comprehensive nursing assistant certificate program at Savant prepare students for nurse aide certification and entry-level employment. Course topics include basic nursing communication techniques, personal care skills, basic emergency, mental health and social services, infection control, and other essential courses. Graduates will be eligible to take the NA competency exam for state certification. They will have the technical abilities to community and interact with residents and assist them with personal care and other activities of daily living, such as bed making, grooming, and range of motion. Students meet Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm for 4 weeks.
Admission criteria:
- Must be 17 years or older
- Must have no felony convictions
- No high school diploma or GED is required for enrollment
All graduates will benefit from job placement assistance.
Website: http://www.savantachievementcenterinc.com/
Address: 6151 N.W. Loop 410, Suite 101, San Antonio, TX 78238
Phone: (210) 682-0600
Fax: (210) 680-2924
Good Careers Academy
Good Careers Academy hosts a nursing assistant program that includes 128 hours of training in the classroom, skills lab, and clinical site. The training prepares students for an entry-level career in the fast-paced health care sector for success on the Texas written and skills competency exams. The curriculum introduces students to anatomy and physiology, inflection control, communication and interpersonal skills, death and dying, medical law, patients’ rights, patient care, basic nursing skills, mental health, and safety and emergency. Computer skills, include basic Microsoft Word, are included as part of the curriculum. The program emphasizes care of the elderly, surgical patient, terminally ill patient, and short-term patient care. Graduates will receive CPR and First Aid certification and a Certificate of Completion and will be eligible to take the Texas Nurse Aide certification exam. The duration of the program is 5 weeks. Classes meet Monday through Thursday 8:30 am to 2:30pm.
Admission criteria:
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Complete a satisfactory background check and drug screen (if applicable)
- Provide proof of high school or GED
- Must have a valid Texas ID or Driver’s License
- Submit documentation of immunization
- Must be eligible to work in the United States
- Must provide a valid Social Security Card
- Complete a TB test
Tuition for the program is $900.
Website: https://www.goodwillsa.org/
Address: 12332 W IH 10, San Antonio, TX 78230
Phone number: (210) 924-8581
The Institute of Allied Healthcare
The Nurse Aide program offered by The Institute of Allied Healthcare delivers the skills and abilities that adults need to provide basic care to patients and residents in hospitals and long-term care facilities. Students will learn how to communicate effectively, assist patients with obtaining and maintaining functional independence, perform basic first aid and CPR, follow infection control measures, apply principles of basic nutrition in meal planning, and using body mechanics in making beds and lifting patients. The curriculum covers a total of 110 clock hours of theory and practical instruction. Classes meet Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. Externship hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:45 am to 3:45 pm. The duration of the program is 18 days.
Admission criteria:
- Must be at least 16 years old
- Meet with an Admissions Representative for an interview
- Complete the required enrollment documents and sign the Enrollment Agreement
- Obtain TB clearance
- Pass a criminal background check
- Cannot be listed as unemployable on the Employee Misconduct Registry (EMR)
The cost of the program is $950. It includes tuition, registration, books, supplies, tools, and lab fee.
Website: https://www.alliedhealthedu.com/
Address: 7434 Louis Pasteur Dr Suite 15, San Antonio, Texas 78229
Phone: 210-616-0880
Fax: 210-755-5336
Email: veronica.garcia@alliedhealthedu.com
Northeast Lakeview College
Northeast Lakeview College helps nurse aide students achieve a level of knowledge and skills to care for residents of long-term care facilities. Areas of study include observation and reporting, medical terminology, information, safety and emergency procedures, patient comfort and safety, residents’ rights, communication and interpersonal relationships, and range of motion exercises. The program will include skills lab sessions that let students apply theoretical concepts in a controlled environment before moving to a clinical setting. Students must complete the lecture class successfully before participating in the lab sessions.
Admission criteria:
- Attend a mandatory online orientation
- Pass a criminal background check and drug screen
- Submit immunization records
Tuition for the full program is $1033.
Website: https://www.alamo.edu/home/
Address: 2222 N. Alamo St., San Antonio, Texas 78215
Phone: 210-485-0000
Southern Careers Institute
Students enroll in the nurse aide program at SCI to gain knowledge and experience to practice as a Certified Nurse Aide in long-term care. The program will include theory in the classroom, hands-on practice in a skills lab, and a real-world practical in a long-term care facility. Graduates will receive CNA and CPR certification. The curriculum will cover 100 clock hours of instruction – 40 hours in the classroom, 20 hours lab, and 40 hours of clinical experience. Morning and afternoon classes are available. Morning classes meet 8:00 am to 12:00 am from Monday through Friday. The duration of the program is 5 weeks.
Admission criteria:
- Attend an interview with an Admissions Representative
- Sign the enrollment agreement
- Must be at least 16 years
- Submit documentation of education – must have achieved at least an eighth-grade education
- Must have a social security card and state ID
- Sign a release for criminal history and employability background check
- Be verified as employable via the DADS Employability Status Check Search
- Pass a criminal history record screening
- Provide a record of immunization showing current PPD or chest x-ray, MMR, Varicella
- Must have current BLS Healthcare Provider certification prior to the clinical experience
The cost of attendance is $1,200.
Website: https://scitexas.edu/
Address: 238 Southwest Military Dr., Suite 101, San Antonio, TX 78221
Phone: 1.833.SCI.TEXAS