CNA Classes In Indiana – CNA Training & Classes

A career in the healthcare field as Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), may be one of the best choices that one can have if he or she wish to earn certification in the field without having to spend a lot of money. Those who wish to work as nurses assistants in the state of Indiana will need to attend a CNA training program as well as pass the exams in order to be listed on the Indiana Nurse Aide Registry. After that would be able to work as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) in healthcare facilities.

The state of Indiana has a good number of training centers that offer CNA approved training programs and tend to specialize in offering course and training to full-time or part-time workers, providing individualized instruction for students. Also, there are community colleges, state universities and technical/vocational schools that offer distance learning classes so that the students can attend classes while they still keeping up with work and the family responsibilities.

Some employers will provide free training, in return, the new CNA to work for the employer for a certain amount of time ensuring valuable experience.

CNA Job Responsibilities

As a CNA, will be responsible for taking patient vital signs, recording medical histories, providing basic care and support in patients under the supervision of qualified professional. Also, the basic responsibilities and duties of nursing assistants include the infection control, toileting, bathing and grooming, dressing, feeding, administering medication, keeping rooms clean, basic life support and emergency procedures, taking vital signs, such as record blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respiration, weight and height, observing and noting changes in a patient’s condition or behavior, as well as the proper operating and maintaining of medical equipment.

Indiana CNA Training Requirements

General prerequisites to get enrolled in a CNA training program in the state of Indiana include the following:

the aspirants should be at least be 18 years old
need to have a GED certificate or high school diploma
should have clean criminal record
must have a medically documented negative TB status of the last 6 months
additional, need to have the ability to read and write in English

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) approves CNA programs in the state. The typical programs last around 6-12 weeks and the fees are between $800 and $2000. However, you have to pay around $500 to $1000 for the supplies, uniforms, textbooks and other facilities used during the training program. If you cannot afford this amount, you can always seek for financial assistance. Some facilities will offer this for free as long as you agree to them that you work on their facility once you get certified. This kind of deal is an opportunity for you to have a job after the training program and certification exam.

In the state of Indiana there are two specific types of nurse aides: The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) assists long term or private care patients with their activities of daily living (ADLs), and the Qualified Medication Aide (QMA), where may dispense and pass medications and also to perform certain treatments always under the supervision of a nurse, either RN or LPN. Qualified Medication Aides (QMAs) are required to have additional training before receiving this special title and license, along with annual in-service training.

Individuals that wish to become CNAs in the state of Indiana must attend at least 105 hours training course that is 30 hours of classroom instruction and another 75 hours of practical instruction. Some of the programs can be longer in duration. A CNA that wishes to progress to QMA status will need an additional 100 hours of training after they have completed at least 1,000 work hours as a CNA. This training will be divided into 60 hours of classroom instruction and another 40 of clinical instruction.

The training provides the basic knowledge and skills that is required for a certified nursing assistant career and during this program, the candidates should study topics such as medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, communication and interpersonal skills, safety measures, nutrition, infection control, body mechanics, vital signs and measurements, patient bathing and dressing, aging process, mobility, patient’s rights, family, environment, positioning and transference, etc.

In the state of Indiana, several facilities are conducting training programs for Certified Nursing Assistants. If you wished to become a CNA and work in the healthcare field, there is a Idaho State directory where you can find the listing of facilities offering training programs.

Getting CNA classes in Indiana provides several job opportunities as there are nursing homes, long term care facilities and hospitals that are looking for healthcare professionals. The good thing in becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant is you can take it for a few weeks and you can get certified once you passed the exam. Since you are working in the healthcare field, you are also entitled for health and dental benefits.

CNA Certification in Indiana

As soon as you completed the CNA program, you have to apply for the certification exam. All of the CNA registration is controlled by the Indiana Health Department.

In the state of Indiana, CNA exam is administered by Ivy Tech Community College and the exam fee is $75. The certification exam is divided into two parts; the first part is written where it measures your knowledge while the second part is clinical demonstration where it measures your skills and abilities to perform certain nursing procedures.

The written exam consists of multiple-choice questions and a clinical test with five randomly practical skills, which mimics a clinical setting. The skills evaluation comes first and the examinee should pass all five practical skills in order to be able to take the written exam, and must receive a score of at least 70% or above to earn certification.

Applicants must pass both parts of the test to gain certification. If the examinee fails the test three times, must retake training and sit for the certification exam.

After successfully completing the competency exam, candidate’s name is placed on the Nurse Aide Registry which is maintained by the Indiana State Department of Health, and keeps a record of all the Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) working in the state. The certification must be renewed every 2 years, and CNAs should prove they have been employed for at least 8 hours during the same period. This is the only requirement for license renewal in the state of Indiana.

You will be given three chances to pass the exam and if you failed for the third time, you will be asked to re-train. Unlike other states, Indiana will not provide certificates or physical licenses to Certified Nursing Assistants. Anyone who is looking for CNA’s can verify his/her credentials in the CNA registry website. Hence, it is good to print the page where you are listed and give it to your employer when you apply for a CNA position.

The certification has to be renewed every two years and once you do it, you have to present a minimum of 8 hours working experience within the last 24 months.

CNA Salary and Job Outlook in Indiana

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in the state of indiana, the demand for certified nursing assistants is expected to increase over the next years, as to achieve better patient care the medical facilities search for certified nursing assistants to support the staff of healthcare.

There are about 30,000 employed CNAs in Indiana and the average salary per annum for this occupation is about $24,330. The wages can vary depending on the experience, position and the employer. If you want to increase your knowledge in the healthcare field and get a higher compensation, you can upgrade yourself to QMA or Qualified Medication Aide through advanced studies and clinical expeirence.

Hospitals are of the facilities where nursing assistants usually want to work because of the higher pay, but there are other options such as government agencies, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and home health agencies as well.