CNA Classes and CNA Training Programs in El Paso, Texas (TX)

Becoming a CNA can be both a rewarding career choice right now and an important milestone on the way toward a higher position within the medical industry. CNAs can earn a pretty decent income on their own, and the city of El Paso has quite a few options in terms of employment as well. What should you know before enrolling in CNA classes in El Paso?

Finding Information about CNA Jobs in El Paso

First, you’ll need to find a bit of information about locating CNA jobs in the city of El Paso – there’s a surprisingly large number of excellent information sources. You’ll find that one of the best is Texas.jobs.

While these informational sites can be great resources and help you learn more about your options to become a CNA in El Paso (or even apply for a position if you’ve already got your license), there are some other things you should know. For example, it might be simpler to use a specialized healthcare staffing agency, of which there are several in the city. These include:

• Maxim Staffing Solutions

CNA Classes and Licensing Requirements n El Paso

As with all other states, certified nursing assistants in El Paso have to complete one of the state-specified CNA programs in the area in order to qualify to take the licensing exam. CNA programs in El Paso must comply with federal mandates for CNA training as well as with state requirements. Aspiring CNAs in the state of Texas have to undergo 75 hours of training between specific CNA classes and clinical work. Some CNA classes in El Paso may be longer, but the majority of training programs adhere to the federal requirements.

Texas also offers those who have completed their CNA classes and training during any year since 1989 with the opportunity to challenge the exam and obtain their licensing without the need for further education and training. As such, it’s one of the more lenient states in the country. You can learn more about requirements at the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services.

Key CNA Training Programs in El Paso

While there are numerous options available for soon-to-be CNAs in the city of El Paso, there are a few that stand out beyond the rest. One of the more comprehensive training programs is provided by the Red Cross of El Paso. The Red Cross office is located at 3620 Admiral Street in El Paso.

Another excellent option for obtaining CNA training is provided by the El Paso Community College, which offers a range of nursing and medical assisting degrees that can help you embark on a rewarding career.

Key CNA Employers in El Paso

Of course, getting the training that you need to become a certified nursing assistant in El Paso is only half the battle. You also need to know where to find jobs. While the sites and providers listed above can offer benefits, you’ll find that there are plenty of other options, including several major area hospitals. You can choose to work in:

• • Within the Sierra Providence Health Network, which encompasses four separate medical centers, including:
    • Providence Memorial Hospital
    • Sierra Medical Center
    • Sierra Providence East medical Center
    • The Children’s Hospital at Providence

Each of these facilities employs CNAs and a range of other trained medical personnel, and can offer an excellent start to your career.

Salary Information

The median annual Certified Nursing Assistant salary in El Paso, TX is $28,230, as of August 6, 2020, with a range usually between $23,454–$33,847 (Salary.com)

On the lower end of the spectrum, caregiver CNAs average about $17,000 per year and CNA HHAs earn about the same amount. The salary you earn will not only vary with the type of job you take, but also with the type of facility in which you work – nursing homes generally tend toward the lower end of the pay scale and hospitals fall somewhere in the middle.

Key Skills Learned in El Paso CNA Training Programs

The state of Texas sets additional training and skill requirements in addition to those mandated by the federal government. This means that depending on the education provider you choose, you can learn a range of important skills in your CNA classes. Those most important to your career will be:

• Basic first aid and CPR
• Basic patient care (bathing, dressing, feeding, etc.)
• How to care for young patients (children)
• Communication skills (both patient communication and interoffice communication with colleagues and superiors)
• How to recognize changing conditions with patients

Rather than looking for a preset list of skills taught in a course, make sure that the CNA training program is certified by the state of Texas (the course provider should make this certification clear from the outset).