CNA Classes and CNA Training Programs in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (PA)

Did you know that Pennsylvania has around 1700 new CNA jobs each year? This should prove pretty exciting to someone looking for a new career, but it gets better. This is because the entire CNA job market is currently positioned to expand notably over the course of the next ten years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that rise in demand for CNAs will be between 20% to 34% by 2020. So, Pennsylvania’s numbers will only increase. This is all great news for someone hoping to pursue formal training through CNA classes in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Information about CNA Jobs in Philadelphia

Naturally, you have to search for a CNA job in Philadelphia if you want to find one, and we have two good approaches for you to use. The first is the most obvious – you use the different job “portals” that are designed specifically for those working as CNAs. These are different from employment sites like SimplyHired.com or YahooJobs. Instead, they look specifically at jobs that relate directly to those with licensing or training as a CNA of any level, and they include:

• CNA.Jobs-to-Careers.com

Using the links above will mean that you have to fill out applications, go for interviews and demonstrate your skill level. If this is not appealing to you then try the second recommended approach – recruiters and healthcare staffing agencies. These are groups that will already have jobs waiting to be filled by those who have completed their CNA classes, and they and can get you started right away. In Philadelphia, they are:

• ProgressiveNursing.com

Choosing this method in order to become a CNA in Philadelphia does not relieve you of the need to prove that you have valid credentials. You will have to show that you have taken the right CNA classes, passed the exams, and can legally work as a certified nursing assistant.

Details about Licensing and Education Requirements for CNAs in Philadelphia

Don’t have that yet? Don’t panic, it is fairly simple to complete one of the many CNA training programs in Philadelphia. It takes two steps: CNA classes and the CNA exam. The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing approves many CNA training courses, and the Red Cross will administer the exam. You can only use the programs approved in each area, but there are hundreds of them available in many different settings all over Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia CNA programs introduce you to many subjects that are divided between knowledge and manual skills. When tested, you are asked to perform five of the 25 essential skills. You must also have a criminal background check and a physical exam, and after that you can be a registered CNA with the Board of Nursing working as a CNA in Philadelphia.

Key Training Centers

There are dozens of CNA training programs and testing centers in the state, and these are the only ones approved for use by the Board of Nursing. You will also have to contact the nearest Red Cross to determine when testing is available.

The following are among the best places to take CNA classes in Philadelphia:

• Northhampton Community College
• Community College of Allegheny County

Information about Key Employers

With over 90 hospitals in Philadelphia and the surrounding area, as well as a lot of skilled nursing facilities and traditional nursing homes, it is going to be relatively easy to find a lot of job opportunities. If you prefer a hospital setting, the following are ideal for any CNA in Philadelphia:

• Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania – this is the #1 hospital in the city and is known all over the world!
• Thomas Jefferson University Hospital – an enormous healthcare employer, it is also the second preferred hospital in Philadelphia.
• Penn Presbyterian Medical Center – an allied healthcare facility, it is a highly ranked hospital.

Pennsylvania is rated as one of the top ten states for the most new CNA jobs each year. This illustrates the good sense in heading to a large urban area like Philadelphia to find employment in abundance.

Salary Information

Though there is a demand for CNAs, it is not necessarily the highest paid job in Philadelphia. As of August 18, 2020, the average pay for a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) in Philadelphia, PA is $34,670 annually (Salary.com), with a range of $28,805-$41,567.

Key Skills Learned In Training

CNAs in Philadelphia enjoy a lengthy educational experience that exposes them to many different skills. This means that a student will explore:

• Basic Nursing Skills
• Communication
• Ethics
• Medical and Anatomy Terminology
• Observation
• Patient Rights
• Reporting, and
• Safety

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also says that in addition to what you learn in CNA classes in Philadelphia, some key “skills” for the CNA include compassion, patience and good language skills. These are skills that can’t be taught in Philadelphia CNA training programs, but are equally as valuable.