CNA Classes & Training in Alabama
For those living in Alabama who have graduated from high school and are wanting to enter the medical field within a few short months, CNA classes in Alabama may be a great option for you! In order to work as a CNA in the state of Alabama, one must complete their CNA certification and be placed on the Alabama CNA Registry list. In order to get on the registry a person needs to meet the basic requirements and then follow the proper steps in order to complete the adequate training that is required.
Basic CNA Requirements in Alabama
In order to apply for a training course to become a CNA in Alabama, a candidate is required to be at least 18 years old and have graduated high school or completed their GED certification. Once these criteria have been met, an individual can select and apply for a program. Keep in mind that there are some facilities (nursing homes, care centers, or even hospitals) which are looking for qualified CNA’s, some may even be willing to pay for a person’s training if they commit to working at their facility. This may be a great option for those who cannot afford to pay for their CNA course work out of pocket. There are also financial aid opportunities at some schools. Check with local community colleges, tech schools, and the Red Cross to find out the costs and opportunities in your area.
In addition to the first few minimum requirements, CNA’s are also required to pass a criminal background check since they will be working with the public. Fingerprinting is almost always required these days. Also, candidates may be required to submit to a physical examination in order to ensure that they are physically capable of performing the duties which are required (which can be rather strenuous on the body at times). If all of these requirements are met, a person may then complete the training and upon passing the required tests, work as a certified CNA in Alabama.
CNA Classes in Alabama
CNA classes in Alabama consist of 120 hours of training. 40 of the 120 hours will be done at an actual site (meaning a nursing home, care center or in a hospital), these hours will be spent practicing the skills learned in the classroom in a real-life medical situations, with the oversight of an RN, or registered nurse. The course work can be completed within 6 to 8 short weeks, which means that a person can graduate from the classroom and enter the medical world within 2 to 3 months depending on how quickly they are able to accomplish the required steps! This is great news for those looking to get into their exciting profession as a CNA as quickly as possible.
Once the course work is complete a person needs to then sit for a 2 part examination. The first is a multiple choice section. This multiple choice test covers the material that a person learned throughout the classroom portion of their CNA training. The second test is a practical test. A person is required to actually demonstrate the skills they need to know (items such as administering a blood pressure test, or distributing medication to a patient). The practical test is completed in front of an examiner who has the tester demonstrate that they are able to complete the required skills. Once a person passes both of these exams, they will then receive their CNA certification and appear on the Alabama Nurse Registry.
There are many great options for those seeking CNA classes in Alabama, such as the Easter Seals Central Alabama office, located in Montgomery AL, which offers a CNA training program boasting that 93% of their graduates get CNA jobs in Alabama in the health care field. The Birmingham and Hoover areas have the most CNA classes in Alabama, with nearly 6,000 CNA job oportunities after certification and Alabama CNA Registry listing is achieved. Birmingham and Hoover AL’s 5720 CNA jobs are followed by Huntsville at nearly 1780, Mobile at 1640, Montgomery with 1400, and Tuscaloosa with 1240 employment opportunities, according to the US BLS statistics.