A short drive south from the capital city of Sacramento is Elk Grove, CA. With less than 135k residents, it has that “hometown” feel, and this means it is a wonderful location to live and to work. Additionally, this small city is also one in which the statewide need for trained CNAs is often seen. Whether it is a need for home health aides or certified nursing assistants in large clinics, there is plenty of work available. Therefore, it may be a good idea to consider CNA classes in Elk Grove.
Information about CNA Jobs in Elk Grove
According to state employment reports, California is going to need an estimated 3900 new openings CNAs each year in the coming decade. This means anyone looking to enter this field will want to explore their options for finding a job in the Elk Grove area. In addition, one of the simplest ways to get a general overview of the available positions is to explore the listings on a website such as Craigslist. There you can explore all of the current openings and get a clear idea of the types of CNA work available.
If you don’t want this sort of basic approach or view, and would instead prefer a direct search it is best to work directly with nursing staffing programs. These companies have access to all of the listings in the city and will easily save you time and effort. The top names include:
CNA Classes and Licensing
Long before the job hunt begins, however, you have to have the skills and credentials to become a CNA, or as home health aide, etc. This will mean having taken and passed one of the pre-approved CNA programs from the California Department of Public Health’s Aides and Technician Certification section. Training requires 150 hours of CNA classes – with 50 hours of traditional classes and 100 hours of “hands on” training in CNA programs. Prior to the clinical work, you will have to have had a criminal background check, passed a basic physical, and received your CPR certification.
When the mandatory training is finished you can schedule yourself a seat at the next state exam. This is also administrated by a pre-approved vendor, and the list of facilities giving testing is available at the Department of Health website. When the exam is done you can then become listed on the state registry and can start seeking employment as a nurse assistant, CNA, or home health aide.
CNA Training in Elk Grove
Where are the approved CNA programs in the area? There are many sites within Sacramento County. The following three are the most convenient sites offering CNA classes in Elk Grove:
Best Employers to Know
After all of this CNA training and testing you can still feel a bit confused about the next step. When you are new to the field you will need to get some experiences with all that the CNA work has to offer. This is readily available through work in a hospital, clinic, or medical center. The following list of locations would be ideal for a new certified nursing assistant:
Salary Information
What can you expect to earn as you start working as a CNA in Elk Grove? That depends mostly on the type of work you choose to do, and then on the location in which you do it. The median annual Certified Nursing Assistant salary in Sacramento, CA is $34,830, as of August 17, 2020, with a range usually between $28,946-$41,765 (Salary.com).
Essential Skills Learned in CNA Training
Working as a CNA is a good choice for anyone in need of employment, and who has all of the learned and natural skills. While nearly anyone can learn the skills required by the programs, they also need patience, the appropriate attitude, compassion, and a good sense of humor.
The following are the things you learn in your CNA classes during your training:
- Proficiency in all appropriate medical language,
- Abuse recognition,
- Infection control,
- Establishing and promoting independence among patients,
- Monitoring patient vitals, fluid intakes, and mental state, and
- Communication with colleagues and patients.
Remember too that CPR certification is a must for those working in California, so be sure to take classes for that as well.