CNA Classes and CNA Training Programs in Alexandria, Virginia (VA)

Popular, historic, and located in the midst of many other fascinating locations and destinations, the small city of Alexandria, VA is a great place to both work and to live. With a population of around 150k means it is a reasonably sized city, which makes it quite nice for those who choose to live in the heart of a major metropolitan region. Like almost all other similar locations in the country, it is a place with a heavy need for Certified Nursing Assistant workers, and this means that you may want to consider this is a very viable choice for CNA classes in  Alexandria.

Skills Learned In CNA Training Classes

What would this work involve? When you begin your training classes, the list of skills and tasks CNA students will need to handle (as identified by the Bureau of Labor Statistics), are provided in a list of technical items and practical skills. You will also need the right temperament for the work, including patience and compassion as well as knowing the following:

•  How to use equipment in the medical field,
• How to monitor and report patient vitals, fluid intakes and mental state,
• How to handle patient meals,
• How to write status reports,
• How to handle infection control,
• How to recognize abuse,
• Effective communication tactics for peers and patients,
• How establish and promote independence among the residents, and
• Proficiency in the medical language.
• Also, all CNA students should get CPR certification in addition to their formal training and licensing.

CNA Programs In Alexandria, Virginia

CNA workers do very specific tasks, and before you can begin seeking employment as a CNA, you have to have the right training and licensing. The Virginia Board of Nursing has a full list of all of their approved programs available at their website, but the Classic Nurses Academy is one approved program for CNA classes in Alexandria.

Required CNA Classes And Licensing

What do you learn in the CNA training programs? Before you can enroll in any programs you must have a high school diploma or GED, get a full medical exam (including drug screening), and have a criminal background check.

You will be asked to master a list of skills, but you tend to also learn a great deal more. Consider that you commit to no less than 120 hours of studying that is split up between in school, CNA classes and practical work. There is a need for at least 75 hours of on school classes and the remaining time is then spent in “hands on” clinical work.

Once you have completed all of your classes you are allowed to take the Virginia Exam, which is administered by Pearson Vue and can require additional fees on top of your tuition.

Salary Information

After you become licensed and listed on the state registry, you are legally able to seek work as a Certified Nursing Assistant.

The median annual Certified Nursing Assistant salary in Alexandria, VA is $35,720, as of August 18, 2020, with a range usually between $29,664-$42,827 (Salary.com).

Top Employers To Contact

Choosing the sort of CNA work you want to do, can be a bit of a challenge and this is why many new CNA workers begin their careers in larger places such as hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics. Such locations will allow them to build skills and experience many kinds of work. In Alexandria, the following locations are good options:

• Inova Fairfax Hospital
• Reston Hospital Center
• Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center

Details About CNA Jobs In Alexandria, VA

While it might be better if you build skills in a hospital setting, you can also choose to just get right into the field in a one on one basis – such as care giving or nursing home work. Many new CNAs find it more productive to research online and local employment websites. Some also consider that a nursing staffing service is a better “fit” to their goals.

Whether you want to work as a live-in caregiver, a home health aide, or a nursing assistant, there are many opportunities for you in Alexandria. The key is to get the CNA training and licensing, and be sure that you are on listed on the state registry.