CNA classes and training programs are a great way to start a career in the medical field. People who choose to begin their career by getting their CNA certification will find that many rewarding opportunities are available to them. For those of you in Oregon who feel this might be a good fit, you will find the following information helpful in taking that first step.
What is a Certified Nursing Assistant?
A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) helps licensed nurses provide nursing care to patients or clients. The role of the CNA is to assist people with activities of daily living – bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, eating, and walking or transferring. The CNA also gathers data to assist the nurse in assessing the client. This data includes measuring temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure and oxygen level, for example. The most important aspect of the job is to observe changes in those for whom you provide care and to report those concerns to the nurse. Your classroom training will provide you with a solid foundation on which to build knowledge needed to successfully care for a vulnerable population.
CNA Programs in Oregon
Aidan Health Services
8415 SW Seneca Street, Suite 210, Tualatin, OR 97062
Ark Foundation
3201 NE Wynooski Rd., Ste. A2, Newberg, OR 97132Avamere Health Services
25117 SW Parkway Ave Ste F, Wilsonville, OR 97070Baker Technical Institute
2500 E Street, Baker City, OR 97814Caregiver Training Institute LLC
12790 SE Stark St. Suite 100, Portland, OR 97233Central Oregon Community College
2600 NW College Way, Health Careers Center #350, Bend, OR 97701Chemeketa Community College
4000 Lancaster Drive NE, Salem, OR 97309Clackamas Community College
7738 SE Harmony Rd, Milwaukie, OR 97222Clackamas Nursing Assistant Training
11875 SE 129th Avenue, Happy Valley, OR 97086Clatsop Community College
1651 Lexington Avenue, Astoria, OR 97103Crestview
6530 SW 30th Ave, Portland, OR 97239Dallas Retirement Village Healthcare Center
377 NW Jasper St, Dallas, OR 97338Dare to Care Learning Center
1050 Willagillespie Rd Suite 6, Eugene, OR 97401EMT Associates
1144 Gateway Lp, Springfield, OR 97477Klamath Community College
7390 S 6th St, Klamath Falls, OR 97603Linn Benton Community College
RN 6500 SW Pacific Blvd, Albany, OR 97321Marquis Companies
4560 SE International Way Ste 100, Milwaukie, OR 97222Moore Nurse Consulting
180 E Main Street Suite 201, Hillsboro, OR 97123Mt Hood Community College
26000 SE Stark St, Gresham, OR 97030Oregon Coast Community College
400 SE College Way, Newport, OR 97366Oregon Empres
1525 Monmouth Avenue, Independence, OR 97351Oregon Veterans' Home-The Dalles
700 Veterans Dr, The Dalles, OR 97058Pacific Healthcare Training
512 Manzanita, Central Point, OR 97502Pacific Healthcare Training
236 E Pine St, Central Point, OR 97502Pacific Retirement Services
One West Main St, Suite 303, Medford, OR 97501Pioneer Place
1060 D Street W., Vale, OR 97918Prestige Care Inc.
7700 NE Parkway Drive Suite 300, Vancouver, WA 98682Regency Pacific
3326 160th Ave SE Ste 120, Bellevue, WA 98008Rogue Community College
3345 Redwood Highway, Grants Pass, OR 97527Rogue Valley Manor Health Services Nursing Assistant Training Program
1200 Mira Mar Ave, Medford, OR 97504Santiam Canyon
150 SW Evergreen St. PO Box 197, Mill City, OR 97360Treasure Valley Community College
650 College Blvd, Ontario, OR 97914Treasure Valley Tech
363 A Street W., Vale, OR 97918Umpqua Community College
1140 Umpqua College Rd, Roseburg, OR 97470Volare Health, LLC
2350 Oakmont Way, Eugene, OR 97401
Oregon Certification Requirements
Oregon requires CNAs to obtain an Oregon CNA 1 certificate before performing CNA duties in the state. The only exception provided by Oregon law is that candidates who work in a licensed nursing facility have up to four months from date of hire to achieve certification.
Candidates may obtain an Oregon CNA 1 certificate upon the completion of a nursing assistant level-1 training program approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN).
Another way to obtain Oregon CNA 1 certification is to complete a military corpsman or medic training course. Those who take this course must also have at least 400 hours of paid employment in a nursing-related field in the two years immediately prior to their OSBN application date. Candidates must also pass the competency examination in three or fewer attempts and within two years of application.
Oregon state law prohibits CNAs from working in the state using a CNA certificate issued by another state. A candidate may not be eligible to receive an Oregon CNA 1 certificate if there is evidence of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation or discipline against the candidate in another state.
Different Types of Certified Nursing Assistants in Oregon
CNA 1 Certified Nursing Assistant 1– Entry Level Certified Nursing Assistant. (See duties below.)
CNA 2 Certified Nursing Assistant 2– CNA 2 candidates must possess a current, unencumbered CNA 1 certificate and must complete a nursing assistant level-2 training program. A CNA 1 interested in becoming a CNA 2 can find a list of level-2 training programs on the OSBN website. Search under “Educational Programs” to find a list of approved classes.
CMA Certified Medication Aid– Oregon CMAs are required to complete an OSBN-approved medication aide training program and pass a competency examination approved by the OSBN. More information on becoming a CMA can be found at the OSBN website,under “Licensing Information.” Interested parties may also contact the OSBN office at 971-673-0685 for more information.
CNA 1’s Authorized Duties and Standards of Care
CNA 1s play a vital role in the care of patients. Due to the variety and complexity of the duties they perform a licensed nurse will directly supervise and monitor the CNA 1. CNAs may only provide care and assist clients with tasks related to daily living activities. These tasks are associated with the following: Personal Care, Maintaining Mobility, Nutrition and Hydration, Elimination, Use of Assistive Devices, and Maintaining Environment and Client Safety; all of which will be taught and further explained in the CNA Training Programs.
CNA 1s must maintain the following standards when performing their duties in the process of client care:
- Apply standard precautions according to the Centers for Disease Control Prevention Guidelines;
- Use hand hygiene between episodes of care;
- Use appropriate body mechanics to prevent injury to self and client;
- Follow the care plan as directed by the licensed nurse;
- Use appropriate communication with client, client’s family and friends, and coworkers;
- Use alternatives to physical restraints, or apply physical restraints as directed by the licensed nurse;
- Determine absence of pulse and/or respiration and initiate an emergency response;
- Report to the licensed nurse any recognized abnormality in client’s signs and symptoms;
- Record observations and measurements, tasks completed, and client statements about condition or care;
- Apply safety concepts in the workplace;
- Report signs of abuse, neglect, mistreatment, misappropriation or exploitation;
- Demonstrate respect for rights and property of clients and coworkers;
- Maintain client confidentiality.
CNA 2 Authorized Duties and Standards of Care
The duties of a CNA 2 are more extensive than that of a CNA 1. Some examples of tasks include: Restorative Care, Acute Care and Dementia Care, all of which are performed under the supervision of a licensed nurse.
In the process of client care the CNA 2 shall consistently apply standards of care set for CNA 1s and:
- Establish competency as a CNA 2;
- Maintain competency as a CNA 2;
- Perform within authorized duties of each CNA 2 category in which the CNA has established competency.
CNA 1 Training
Training can only take place at an OSBN-approved nursing assistant level-1 training program.
There are two components of the CNA training: classroom and skills training. The classroom training component consists of 80 hours, where the curriculum is based on: care of geriatric residents or patients, communicating with patients, and basic medical terminology, as well as subjects relative to other age groups and settings.
The second part of the training will involve at least 75 hours of hands-on training where students learn how to perform the physical aspects of the job; Oregon law requires that students have a current Healthcare Provider CPR card prior to graduation. Some programs may include this class as part of the training; others may require students to obtain that training outside of regular classroom hours .A training program certificate is awarded to students who successfully complete the requisite classroom and clinical training and who pass a final examination with a grade of at least 75%. Community college and high school programs may provide a transcript showing program completion. It is important to note that completion of a nursing assistant training program does not necessarily mean or result in state certification.
Oregon CNA 1 Competency Examination
The Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) contracts with Headmaster Testing Service to provide the nursing assistant competency exam. Headmaster’s Oregon Nursing Assistant Candidate Handbook provides information on exam procedures. Candidates may obtain a copy from a nursing assistant level-1 training program instructor or from Headmaster’s website. There, candidates may access the handbook by simply selecting “Oregon” from the list of states in the “Nurse Aide” column
A completed CNA 1 Certification by Examination Application can be found here.
The fee for the exam is $106 and is paid to the Oregon State Board of Nursing.
The exam is divided into two parts: a paper or online Knowledge test and the Skills test.
Knowledge Test:
The knowledge test consists of 80 multiple choice questions that come from the following subject areas: Safety, Infection control, personal care, Mental Health, Care Impaired, Clients Rights, Communication, Data Collection, Basic Nursing Skills, Roles and Responsibilities, Disease Process and Growth and Development across the ages.
The candidate must receive a score of 73% or higher to pass the knowledge part of the test.
Skills test:
The purpose of the skills test is to evaluate the nursing assistant skills of the candidate by asking the candidate to perform three or four different tasks. Examples of skills performed are: Perineal Care with hand washing, bed pan and output with hand washing, Catheter care with hand washing, and Gown and Gloves, emptying a urinary drainage bag with hand washing.
The tasks must be done without missing any key steps, achieving a score of 80% or higher.
Candidates must also pass the state competency examination in no more than three attempts and within two years of completing level-1 training.
Background Check
Candidates complete a national criminal background check through FieldPrint. The CNA training institute should be able to help with arrangements.
The candidate must pass the background check, which might include factors that do not show up on a standard background check, such as child abuse allegations or juvenile crimes that have been expunged. The candidate must be able to pass a drug screen. Even though marijuana is legal in the state of Oregon, most clinical facilities accept federal funds so they cannot allow students with a positive marijuana test to work in the building. Some clinical settings may also require immunization records.
Completion
After completion of the training, tests, and FieldPrint background check, the Board of Nursing will issue the certification. The CNA will be listed on the Oregon Nurse Aide Registry at that point, and qualify to work in nursing homes, hospice facilities, home care and some other settings in the state of Oregon.
CNA Renewal
Renew your CNA/CMA certificate on time. Your CNA certificate expires biennially at midnight before your birthday, in odd years if you were born in an odd year or in even years if you were born in an even year. You may not work as a CNA with an expired certificate. You are required to renew your certificate prior to the expiration date. To renew your certificate, use the OSBN website.
Requirements to renew CNA certification:
The CNA must work and be paid for at least 400 hours (approximately three months, full-time) of CNA duties in the two years immediately preceding the expiration of the CNA certificate. If you do not meet the practice requirements, you will be required to pass the state competency examination
Individuals whose CNA certificate has been expired for more than two years are required to take an OSBN-approved nursing assistant training program and pass the state competency examination. Call the OSBN office if you have questions about your eligibility to renew.
Interview with Lyn Chase, RN, BS – Director and Owner of – Clackamas Nursing Assistant Training School
Please tell me a little about yourself—Where did you go to school?
I entered college immediately after graduating from high school. My first year was at the University of Oregon where I studied pre-nursing. My nursing education began just a week after completing my pre-nursing studies. I attended the University of Oregon Medical School, now known as Oregon Health and Science University. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree, major in nursing, minor in social science. That was back in the days just after they invented the wheel—1974. (But my REAL nursing education started when I got my first job as a nurse.)
How long have you been in the field? How did you get your start?
I began my career as a hospital floor nurse the same year that I graduated and passed my board exams. Among other duties, I administered medications to about 24 surgical patients, four of which were located in a jail ward. We mixed our own IV’s in glass bottles and we timed the rate at which the IV infused by taping a paper strip to the bottle and holding our watch up to the drip chamber.
I worked evening shift and, back in those days, we didn’t have cable TV, cell phones, or even microwave ovens. The stores closed early—even the 7-11 stores closed at 11 PM. There was NOTHING to do when I finished my work day and, after nine very lonely months, I left the hospital to work at a clinic. Then I was off to try to emulate my childhood hero: Sue Barton, Visiting Nurse. I worked on-and-off as a visiting nurse while caring for my family, then moved on to work in the nursing home and assisted living settings.
How did you get the position you have now?
I was working as the Health Care Director at an assisted living facility and one of our residents was recovering from surgery at a skilled nursing facility. I went to visit her and as I was leaving I came across a very nice woman in a lab coat. I assumed that she was an employee but she explained that she was an instructor for a CNA school and was overseeing students in their clinical experience. I told her that I admired her and wished I could teach. “Here’s the phone number for the school. They’re looking for an instructor right now!” she said. I called that day, was hired immediately and began teaching with almost no orientation. I didn’t really have a grasp of the authorized duties of the CNA but there I was in front of twenty students, doing my best. About a year-and-a-half later I opened my own training program.
What do you think has made you successful throughout your career?
Until recently I did not characterize my career as “successful”. I changed jobs often. I was disheartened to find that nurses were rarely supportive of each other. The workload was staggering and I was not prepared to navigate the politics of nursing. When I opened my CNA training business in 2007, I found that my broad range of experiences in multiple settings gave me a broader perspective to impart to my students. I have operated my business almost continuously since it opened and have occasionally filled in as an instructor for several other companies.
What is the typical academic background of the students prior to starting a CNA training program?
I have had students ranging in age from 14 to 65. I have had students who had not yet started high school, some who dropped out of high school, many who completed it and many who were in college or who had completed college. I had one student who had completed his chiropractic education and had even passed his board exams but the country was in the throes of the great recession and this lovely, intelligent young man could not get his chiropractic practice off the ground. His wife, a nurse, encouraged him to work as a CNA for a few months until the economy improved. Oregon does not have any limitations on age or prior education requirements.
What advice do you have for students who are considering becoming a CNA (and possibly entering the field of Nursing for the first time)?
When someone makes an inquiry about the course I encourage them to think about the nature of the work—they must be able to clean up human waste, tolerate unpleasant odors, perform tasks that many find unpleasant—or intolerable. If this aspect of the work does not frighten them off, I explain that the value of a good CNA is NOT just the ability to perform these tasks. It is the ability to observe the clients under their care and recognize changes in condition that must be reported to the supervising nurse. CNA’s are, in my opinion, the first line of defense in keeping their clients as healthy as their condition allows. If, for example, a CNA notices that her/his client is behaving differently than usual, it may signal the onset of a urinary tract infection. If, when bathing or dressing a client the CNA observes a reddened area on the skin over a bony prominence, it may indicate the start of a bedsore. The CNA is the member of the health care team that is with the client day in and day out and is the one most likely to notice developing problems.
At this time there is a significant shortage of CNA’s in Oregon. Recruiters have been contacting me asking to post flyers about job opportunities or requesting the opportunity to give a presentation to the students. People interested in CNA training should also know that if they go to work in a Medicare and/or Medicaid certified NURSING HOME immediately after becoming certified, they are eligible to be reimbursed for all their training costs. (They are reimbursed over the course of a year and must submit receipts and other paperwork.)
Do you find many of your students going on to become an LPN or RN?
Many of my students are planning to attend nursing school. Many nursing programs give preferential treatment for admission to those applicants who are CNA’s and have experience. Additionally performing this kind of work helps people assess their own strengths and weaknesses in the field of healthcare.
What traits, skills or experiences do employers in your field look for in candidates?
Working well as part of a team is critical to being successful as a CNA. It is often necessary to have the help of a co-worker in moving or transferring a client who, for example, cannot bear weight. If a CNA does not cooperate with her/his co-workers when the need arises, she/he will not have their support, even when a second CNA is absolutely necessary to facilitate the care of a client.
Other traits that are valued by employers are the willingness of the CNA to be at work on time, pitch in and help when the facility is short-handed and make sure her/his clients are clean and needs have been met before the CNA completes her/his shift. While everyone must occasionally miss work due to illness, workers who call in sick too often create a stressful environment, as others cannot rely on them to be there when scheduled.
What separates your program from other CNA training programs?
I believe that people learn better when they are relaxed. My classes are very small—maximum of ten students—so it seems silly to conduct a formal class with strict rules. I always have coffee, tea and hot chocolate available and encourage students to sip a cup while I discuss (I prefer not to use the word “lecture”) curriculum content. The curriculum requirements are specified by the Oregon State Board of Nursing but how that information is delivered to students is decided by the program. I am the ONLY employee of Clackamas Nursing Assistant Training so I make all such decisions. (I am the Program Director, primary instructor, clinical instructor, bookkeeper and janitor.) At this time my classroom is located in a peaceful setting where many birds, ducks, squirrels, bunnies and even an occasional deer can be seen. Students can sit on the deck overlooking the creek during breaks, but this IS Oregon so rain is the usual state of the weather.
CNA Job and Salary Data for Oregon Cities
| Urban Area | Employed CNA’s | Hourly Mean Wage | Annual Mean Wage | CNA Employment Per 1,000 Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | 466 | $18.96 | $39,440 | 10.41 |
| Bend – Redmond | 410 | $20.37 | $42,280 | 6.31 |
| Corvallis | 370 | $18.84 | $39,190 | 7.86 |
| Eugene | 1,260 | $19.40 | $40,360 | 10.03 |
| Grants Pass | 360 | $20.40 | $42,350 | 11.62 |
| Medford | 840 | $20.36 | $40,970 | 7.02 |
| Portland – Hillsboro – Vancouver | 7,480 | $20.15 | $44,000 | 6.67 |
| Salem | 1,270 | $20.59 | $44,900 | 8.76 |