The Lifelong Learning Center
310 South Curtis Street
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 549-8765
Certified Nursing Assistant
The C.N.A. Program emphasizes the necessary skills for you to function as an important member of the nursing team under the direction and supervision of a Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse. Students are given opportunities to develop a variety of skills in both classroom and clinical settings.
1. What qualities and abilities are necessary for a C.N.A. to be successful?
- Good interpersonal communication skills
- Helping, nurturing and caring skills
- High standard of personal ethics and professionalism
- Ability to lift 40-60 pounds
Duties include: walking, turning and positioning patients; providing basic hygiene; lifting; transferring; infection control; toileting; measuring vital signs such as: blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and respiration.
3. What are the employment opportunities for a C.N.A.?
Opportunities for employment can be found in nursing homes, hospitals, home health care, clinics and doctors’ offices. The C.N.A. program may be the first step in determining if a career in Health Care is for you.
4. Am I required to be licensed in order to be hired as a C.N.A.?
All nursing assistants are required by state law to complete an approved program and pass the state exam prior to functioning as a C.N.A..
5. Are there any other special requirements necessary for employment as a C.N.A.?
Employment requirements vary by facility; however, a criminal background check may be required to work with patients and clients.
6. What can I expect to be paid as a C.N.A.?
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, nursing assistants in Montana earn between $7.50 and $11.50 per hour with the median hourly wage at $9.50.
Length of Program
The C.N.A. program consists of 86 hours of instruction held over a 10 week period. Instruction will be held in the classroom and off-site in a clinical setting. The off-site training will occur in nursing homes and medical facilities in Missoula. This allows for hands-on training with residents and/or patients.
Application Requirements:
You will need to submit the following to be considered for admission to the C.N.A. program:
- Completed Application Form
- Results from the Test of Adult Basic Education (T.A.B.E.). The cost is $10, call 542-4015 to schedule an appointment.
- Completed County Criminal Background Check that includes every county you have resided in for the past 8 years.
- Select "Order Now"
- Scroll down to "County Criminal Search-Search for any criminal convictions in a County"
- Select the number of counties you have lived in within the last two years, then scroll down to bottom of page click "Order".
- Follow instructions to progress through the next pages
- Each county checked will apply an additional fee
Complete the process with payment by credit card
Returned results with the detail report must be attached to application for consideration of placement into the program.
Cost of Program
Approximate costs associated with the C.N.A. program are as follows:
Tuition: $329 Supplies:
$190
Upon Admission:
Once you have been admitted into the CNA program, you will need to provide proof of the following:
- Completed Physical Self-Disclosure Form
- TB test results taken within the past 12 months
- Current MMR, Hepatitis B, Diphtheria, and Tetanus immunizations
- Payment of Tuition
The Lifelong Learning Center will complete additional exclusion confirmation prior to clinical training through the Office of Inspector General and General Services Administration.
Upon conclusion of the C.N.A. program the certification exam will be scheduled. The required fee for this exam is covered in the cost of the supplies.
Copyright© 2009 The Lifelong Learning Center