Becoming a CNA in West Virginia

 

What is Involved in Completing CNA Training in West Virginia?

Some of the hottest and most in demand careers are those within the allied medical fields. Because of this,  nurse aide training is quite popular.

Remarkably, classes for CNA certification in  West Virginia  do not take long to complete. Most students can finish their training programs in six to eight weeks.

Before you can enroll in CNA classes in this state, you will need to meet a few requirements. For instance, most educational institutions offering this type of training require their students to be at least 18 years of age, with high school diplomas or GEDs. Getting into any medical program also requires students to pass a criminal background check, as well as submit to a full medical health screening. This is to help prevent the spread of illness that you may unknowingly transmit to other patients.

 

Enrollment and Completion of CNA Classes in West Virginia

Step 1:

Find and enroll in an approved program in your state:

 
Considering how popular the courses are, there are plenty of approved institutions that offer CNA training in West Virginia. One of the most important things you should consider before choosing a training program is how many hours of training they provide as a whole. Within  this state, no accredited training program can provide students with less than 120 hours of coursework. Before enrolling, see if you qualify for free CNA training in our feature article about the topic.

Step 2:

Complete your CNA training, which will be split between a classroom and a clinical setting.  Your classroom training will feature topics like medical terminology, psychological coping skills, basic anatomy, and CPR certification.

The remaining hours of your training will be spent receiving hands-on training in a clinical setting, such as a nursing home. During this part of your training, you will most likely learn how to complete basic nurse aide duties, such as attending to patients’ daily grooming needs, changing bed linens, and handling emergency situations of all sorts.

CNA Testing Procedures and Applying for CNA Certification in West Virginia

Step 1:

Apply to take the CNA certification exam in West Virginia, which is administered by the Professional Health Care Development.

To apply, you will need to visit the Professional Healthcare Development (PHD) website and download the application. You will then need to send the completed application, along with a $100 test fee and all supporting documents, to PHD. The agency will send you a testing date and time in the mail.

Step 2:

Prepare for the exam by studying and reviewing what you’ve learned in your CNA training program. Taking practice tests can also give you a good idea of which areas you will need to concentrate on while studying.

Step 3:

Take – and pass – the CNA certification exam. Don’t forget to bring a valid photo ID with you on the day of testing, as you will not be allowed to take the exam without one.

The written portion of the exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions. You will be allowed two hours to complete this portion.

During the skills assessment portion, you will be required to successfully complete five nursing aide skills in 50 minutes in order to receive a passing score.

Your results will be mailed to you by PHD 14 days after you have completed both test portions. If you pass, you will receive certification as a Long Term Care Aide in West Virginia. Certificates will be issued to the facility that is sponsoring you. You will also be listed on the West Virginia Nursing Assistant Registry.

Step 4:

Once you pass the certification exam, you can then create your resume and look for a CNA job.

 

CNA wages are quite good statewide, and the average CNA salary in the state is around $24,000. Your salary will increase with experience and additional training. Often, the city you live in can also have a huge impact on your actual salary, so keep this in mind when selecting a work location.

For additional information regarding CNA Certification in West Virginia visit:

West Virginia Nurse Aide Registry
West Virginia Division of Health – Office of Health Facilities Licensure & Certification
1 Davis Square, Suite 101, Charleston, WV 25301-1799
Phone: (304) 558-0688
Fax: (304) 558-1442