CNA Classes and CNA Training Programs in Salinas, California (CA)

Just a short distance from Santa Clara and Santa Cruz, the lovely small city of Salinas, CA is a great place to both live and to work. With a population of less than 145k, it is a very comfortable setting that offers a lot of employment opportunities. This is especially true for those who want to become a CNA because there is such a high demand for these trained medical professionals.

Key Skills Learned in Salinas CNA Training

You should know that CNA training in Salinas is based on the federal guidelines, and this means a student will be trained in all of the following skills:

• CPR certification;
• How to properly care for the patients, including everything from bathing to moving transferring them from bed to a chair, etc.;
• How to properly and safely move, lift, feed, dress, and even toilet patients;
• How to provide services to the supervising nurses and physicians at a medical facility;
• Using and implementing patient safety techniques, and
• The basics of human anatomy and physiology.

The work can also include some basic housekeeping since many CNAs decide to take a work as a “live in” caregiver for a patient or client. The training programs in Salinas tends to also provide a student with knowledge around the dispensing of medications and working directly under the supervision of a head nurse or doctor.

Training Centers in Salinas

When you train to become a CNA, it can mean that you will work in a hospital, clinic, or a private home, and it also means you must have the same skills and certifications as other CNAs. This is achieved through the use of pre-approved training programs. The California Department of Health has the entire list available.

 Education Requirements and CNA Classes in Salinas

By choosing to utilize any of the approved CNA programs in Salinas, it means you enroll in a 150 hours of formal training. Fifty of these hours are completed through specific CNA classes, and the other 100 hours are clinical or “hands on” work. This cannot be done without first having a criminal background check and a physical exam too. As the clinical work begins, you will also need proof of full CPR certification. All of this is overseen by the California Department of Public Health’s Aides and Technician Certification section.

After the training is finished, you will then be allowed to take the state Nurse Aide Exam. You are then listed on the California Nursing Assistant Registry.

Salary Information

When you start to seek out a position as a CNA, you can easily become confused by the wide variety of earnings available. Generally, you should know that certified nursing assistants in the state earn the same as the national average, or even a bit more. It depends mostly on the type of work you are interested in providing. The median annual Certified Nursing Assistant salary in Salinas, CA is $35,760, as of August 17, 2020, with a range usually between $29,704-$42,867 (Salary.com).

Key Employers to Know

What do you do if you are unclear about where to work and what sort of work to do? Beginning at one of the large-scale employers is often a very good decision. They are more likely to introduce you to all types of CNA work, from very direct contact to less personal care. The top locations in the area are:

• Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital
• Natividad Medical Center
• Community Hospital Monterey Peninsula

Finding Information about CNA Jobs in Salinas

If heading directly to a large employer is not of interest to you, there is the option for doing a basic job search. Use the local Craigslist pages to see what is available for any licensed CNAs in Salinas, or rely on a staffing service to help you to discover a suitable employer. The most common names in terms of staffing services include:

• Select Staffing

When you use the approaches described above it means that you understand the exact type of work you want to do. And with the huge market for CNAs, you will be able to find something you really enjoy.