There’s a lot to recommend in Irvine, California. The city offers a relaxed way of life, but the proximity of Los Angeles and all that Orange County has to offer cannot be discounted either. One of the most interesting things about Irvine is the number of medical jobs – becoming a CNA in Irvine offers a way to get into the industry quickly, and enjoy a rewarding career. The first step toward reaching this goal is to enroll in CNA classes in Irvine.
Skills You’ll Need on the Job as a CNA
As you might imagine, CNAs need to learn a wide range of different skills to ensure they can do their job properly. State-approved CNA programs will fully prepare you for this position by teaching skills that include:
- Communication with patients, doctors, nurses, and even family members
- Reporting and recording vital medical information and changes in patient condition
- Proper procedural steps, including mouth, catheter and skin care
- Bating and grooming techniques for patients in need of physical assistance
- CPR and other lifesaving techniques
- Assisting patients with special needs, including confusion and cognitive impairment
CNA Classes and Training Requirements in Irvine
California is one of the states in the US that requires considerable training and education before you’re allowed to take your licensing exam to become a certified nursing asistant. You will have to undergo a minimum of 120 hours of training (some courses offer more training). Moreover, that training must include hands-on clinical work and specific CNA classes.
After you’ve completed your CNA training, you’ll be allowed to take the state’s licensing exam. California has a two-part test that includes a multiple-choice question section and a physical skills assessment (you’ll have to demonstrate five different skills for the test administrator). If you attended one of the state-approved CNA programs in Irvine, passing the exam should not be a problem, but if you fail, you can retake the test up to three times before you have to go through training and classes again (within a 2-year period).
Where to Find CNA Training Programs in Irvine
California has stringent requirements for training and education, even for CNAs. You must ensure that you attend one of the state-approved CNA programs in the area. Thankfully, there are plenty of options out there. One of the better training programs offering CNA classes in Irvine that you should know about is Allied Medical and Health Services.
Where to Find Employment as a CNA
You will have to find work after getting your license, though some training providers do provide job placement assistance after graduation. One of the best things about Irvine is the large number of high quality employers operating in the surrounding area (including all of Orange County). A few of the more notable employers in your area include:
What to Know Before Applying for Jobs as a CNA
For those in Irvine aspiring to become CNAs, there’s some research that needs to be done first. You should never enter any career blindly – you need reliable information on which to base an informed decision. Thankfully, there’s quite a bit of data to be had on certified nursing assistant positions. Perhaps the most versatile tool at your disposal is the Orange County Craigslist page. Here, you’ll be able to find out what facilities are hiring in the area, what their requirements are for CNAs and other professionals, and even what your potential pay might be with various employers.
Don’t stop with Craigslist, though. You’ll need to do a bit more digging to ensure that this is the right choice for you. The city’s medical staffing agencies can be very helpful in this regard, as well as helping you find a job after you have your license.
Information about Potential Pay for CNAs in Irvine
CNAs in the Irvine area will earn a competitive salary, though the annual median earnings fall just slightly under the national average (CNAs here earn about $28,000). However, that doesn’t mean your salary will be set at that amount. A number of factors affect your earning potential, including where you work and whether you choose to enter a specialty area. Higher pay (to the tune of $39,000) is available for nursing assistant CNAs, while those who become a caregiver companion CNAs can see a lower salary of about $18,000.