Classes

 A Certified Nursing Assistant's (CNA) main role is to provide basic care to patients, as well as assisting patients with activities of daily living (ADLs) they might have trouble doing on their own. Examples of ADLs are bathing, eating, dressing, toileting, and transferring (walking). Due to the nature of the job, certified nursing assistants should be compassionate as well as enjoying helping others. In nursing homes or long-term care facilities, a CNA is often a patient's main caregiver. CNA’s are important in the healthcare field because CNA’s are the first to report any changes in the patient. Doctors and nurses rely on CNA's because CNA’s spend the most time with the patients.
The Nursing Assistance (CNA) course is a 4 weeks course, 120 hours program consisting of 80 hours of theory as well as 40 hours of clinical training in a nursing care facility. Upon completion students will received a Nurse Aide certificate and may take the Virginia Board of Nursing exam for certification as a nurse aide (CNA). The board exam is a two part exam that consist of 70 multiple-choice questions and five randomly selected nurse aide skills. Students will be given 30 minutes to complete the five nurse aide skills.  If the student passes, he/she will hold the title of Certified Nurse Aide and may then work in; hospitals, Nursing Homes, Assisting Living Facilities, Group Homes, and as an in-home caregiver. The requirements for this course are as follows:

• Must not have any barrier crimes convictions (Assaults, crimes against elderly & children)
• Must be able to read and write English sufficiently enough to understand the material

The average wage for a Nursing Assistance is $10.00 to $16.00 per hour. 

Personal care aide (PCA)help people living with physical or mental disabilities perform day-to-day activities and lead normal lives. A PCA may provide care at a residential care facility, hospital, or in patients' homes. Your most common tasks typically include routine cleaning, cooking, housekeeping chores, and personal hygiene assistance. 

While caring for clients in their homes, you may also have to provide transportation to appointments or run other errands. You may also provide companionship to your clients as they adjust to their new lifestyle.

A Personal Care Aide will likely work under the supervision of a licensed nurse, social worker, or some sort of non-medical manager, and you'll be expected to keep detailed client records and report any significant changes in your clients' conditions to your supervisor. Although personal care aide can't provide medical services, you may be asked to perform some basic healthcare-related procedures, such as monitoring and recording vital signs, following the direction of your supervisor.

 The average wage for a Personal Care Aide is $9.00 to $13.00 per hour.  

Registered medication aides (RMA) supervise patients as they administer their own medication, ensuring that all prescriptions are taken properly and that dosage instructions are followed. RMAs also observe patients, noting any changes to their appearance or behavior, and answer questions about medications from patients and family members.  Registered medication aides administer medication to patients per doctors’ prescriptions, observing correct times to dispense these medications. This includes dispensing oral, topical, and other types of medication. 

To become a Registered Medication Aide you must be a Nurse's Aide, Personal Care Aide or Direct Care Staff. This is a 68 hour class that is approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing. Completing this course will enable you to work in a group home and/or assisted living setting.

The average wage for a Medication Aide is $13.00 to $17.00 per hour.