CNA Classes and CNA Training Programs in Austin, Texas (TX)

It is pretty exciting for anyone pursuing a CNA license to hear that Texas is going to have more than seventy thousand openings in the coming years. In fact, if the Bureau of Labor Statistics is to be believed, that is likely to be even higher because the industry in general is going to expand by roughly 34% by 2020. This means that you are easily going to be able to become a certified nursing assistant once you complete your CNA classes in Austin, Texas.

Information about CNA Jobs in Austin

It all starts with performing a search to find the best jobs for your particular interests and skills. We would suggest that you rely on the different search engines created specifically for professional CNAs looking for employment. These CNA sites include CNA.Jobs-to-Careers.com.

Starting at these job sites is going to show you the general job market in Austin right now, and is going to also identify the most likely of the larger employers. You can also rely on the classic employment websites like Indeed.com or SimplyHired.com if you want to just type in CNA in Austin to see what pops up.

If you would rather have a qualified professional handle the searching for you there are a few good nursing recruitment firms and staffing agencies too. They will already have work at different healthcare facilities available and can get you a job in a matter of days. They include:

• NurseStaffing.net

Of course, we might be ahead of things here if you have not yet gotten your CNA training and licensing. Let’s take a look at that before we go any further with employers.

Details about CNA Classes and Licensing Requirements in Austin

Anyone hoping to get a job as a CNA in Austin will have to pass one of the state approved CNA programs in the area. There are hundreds of them spread throughout the state, and all of them have to be assessed and approved by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services, or DADS.

The curriculum for CNA programs is brief, requiring only 75 hours of training divided between 51 hours of traditional CNA classes and 24 hours of clinical training. You will have to master 25 essential skills required for health aides, and demonstrate them on a competency exam. Before becoming certified you must submit to a criminal background check, and then you can begin working as a CNA in Austin. This license works for any area of Texas, but not outside of its borders.

CNA Training Programs in Austin

There are many places to complete your CNA training in Austin. You can explore classes at the Red Cross or your community center, but programs from colleges and training centers are the best method. The following are among the most popular CNA programs for in Austin:

• Austin Community College CNA Program – a continuing education offering in a college setting.
•  Career Schools and Colleges – Texas Workforce Commission to find out about all of the approved Texas Nursing Programs for CNAs.
• Explore the entire list of Austin schools at the DADS website.

Information about Key Employers

With only 32 hospitals in the Austin and surrounding area, and a handful of nursing homes and skilled nursing establishments, there is still not going to be any difficulty in finding work as a CNA. Below is a recommended list of the top hospitals and medical facilities in Austin:

• Seton Medical Center – ranked seventh best to work for in the country, it is also #1 in the city.

Obviously you can find many different types of work once you complete CNA classes in Austin. It is also very satisfying to know that the state is already indicating that the demand for CNAs is exceeding the supply, so you can even be picky about the work you choose! Remember that this is important when you have to select the most appropriate “area” of the industry according to your financial needs.

Salary Information

The job market always has varying ranges of pay, and nursing is no exception. As of August 6, 2020, the current median annual income for CNAs in Austin is $31,740, with a range of $26,372-$38,064 (Salary.com).

Key Skills Learned In CNA Training

CNAs in Austin dedicate only 75 hours to their training programs, which is not a lot. Still, they do have to learn a great deal in their CNA classes, including:

• Basic Nursing Skills
• Patient Rights
• Safety
• Communication
• Medical and Anatomy Terminology
• Observation
• Ethics, and
• Reporting

They also have to understand if their personality is a good fit. The Bureau of Labor Statistics points out that compassion, patience and good language skills are important for anyone who hopes to complete their classes and training to become a successful CNA in Austin.