Located, quite literally, in the heart of Texas, the small city of Killeen is within reach of Dallas and Ft. Worth, Austin, and even Houston. With its population around 120k, it is a city with plenty to offer, especially if you are interested in the work of a Certified Nursing Assistant. It does not matter if you intend to work as a home health aide, provide one on one support, or to serve in a large hospital as a nursing assistant, there are going to be many job opportunities for you once you complete your CNA classes in Killeen.
Licensing and CNA Training in Killeen, Texas
To work as a Certified Nursing Assistant in Texas means completing a state approved training program. These CNA programs are reviewed and then approved by the Department of Aging and Disability Services, or DADS.
Any approved course is going to demand a minimum of at least 75 hours. This is education that is split between no less than 51 hours in classes in a traditional classroom study and another 24 hours of practical work in a clinic, hospital, or nursing home.
Before you can even enroll, however, you will have to submit to a criminal background check, complete the basic physical exam with drug and TB screening, and provide evidence of high school graduation or a GED. After you have completed these steps, and done the training, it is time to take the State Nurse Aide Exam. When this has been passed, the CNA is listed on the state registry and can begin seeking a job.
CNA Training Sites in Killeen, TX
Though the DADS website provides a complete database of all of the approved programs, the most convenient programs for those seeking CNA classes in Killeen are listed below:
Skills Acquired in CNA Training
Students enrolled in CNA training classes are expected to learn a great deal in such a short period of time. These are mandatory skills, but don’t include such “essentials” as patience, a great deal of compassion, and the ability to multi-task. The technical issues you will cover in your programs include:
- Using medical equipment,
- Infection control,
- Proficiency in the medical language,
- Recognizing abuse,
- Preparing patient meals and feeding when needed,
- Communication between yourself and peers or patients,
- Monitoring patient vitals, fluid intakes and mental state,
- Creating status reports for appropriate agencies and authorities,
- Establishing and promoting independence among the residents,
- Doing transfers and/or patient lifts, and
- Providing personal care such as toileting and changing.
Additionally, all students who become CNAs should consider getting CPR certification too.
Earnings Information
With all of the training programs and certification completed, it is time to begin looking for employment. You should know that wages for all CNAs are not the same. Though the starting salary in Killeen is only 19% less than the national average, which means the median annual Certified Nursing Assistant salary in Killeen, TX is $29,280, as of August 6, 2020, with a range usually between $24,332-$35,107 (Salary.com). Information about CNA Jobs in Killeen, Texas
Where do you look for work of this kind? There are three methods that we suggest. First is the very general search that shows you all of the CNA opportunities in the area, and the pay you can expect. A resource like the iHireNurseswould be a good choice. Of course, you might know that you definitely want to work in a very specific way (such as serving as a live in caregiver), and that would mean that a nursing staffing service is a better option for you. Some well known providers of these services include:
Large Scale Employers
Lastly, if you don’t feel that you have enough experience or you want to sharpen your skills as a professional, you can always start in a large scale facility such as a hospital or clinic in order to get a bit of background in each facet of CNA work. Such employers would include:
Use the resources provided above and you will soon have all of the training and CNA classes you need to start looking for a very rewarding career.
- CNA Training Centers
- Street Address
- Phone Number
Central Texas College | 6200 W Central Tx Expressway Building 155 Rooms A122-A103 | 254- 628-2433 |
Graham’s Nurse Aide Training Center | 810 North W.S. Young, Ste 107 | 254- 526-1586 |
Health Science Technology/CATE | 3004 Atkinson | 254- 319-2234 |
KilleenCB Nurse Aide Training | 2501 South WS Young Dr, Ste 413 | 830- 868-4093 |