CNA Program In West Virginia

Prerequisites for Registered Long-Term Care Nurse Aides course depends upon the institution which conducts the course. Some important ones are as follows:

• The candidate should be at least 18 years of age.
• A high school diploma or GED is required.
• Students must pass the criminal background check and drug screening. S/he should not be enlisted in the abuse registry of any state.
• A physical fitness test is required with a negative TB report.
• Proof of vaccination for varicella, Hepatitis B, TDaP, and two-step PPD is required as well.
• A valid photo ID should be submitted at the time of application.

An aspirant is required to take 120 hours of CNA program to complete the coursework. Out of total hours, at least 55 hours of supervised clinical program should be given to every student and rest 65 hours must include classroom instruction and lab practices. It is mandatory for every program institute to finish the curriculum within 6 weeks. After completion of this coursework, you will need to pass the Nurse Aide state competency exam within three attempts.

The cost of CNA program in the state of West Virginia depends on certain institute. However, it generally ranges in between $350 and $1500.

Need for program can be waived by the state of West Virginia, if:

• You got trained as a registered nurse or licensed registered nurse, in past 24 months in any state.
• If you possess valid CNA license of another state.

A person has to fill out a form given by West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources website to apply for the waiver.

With the help of wide curriculum, students learn basic nursing and personal care skills. Some common topics are as follows:

• Communication and interpersonal skills.
• Infection control.
• Safety measures and emergency procedures.
• Basic restorative services.
• Care of patients with disability and cognitive disorders like dementia, alzheimer’s disease, etc.
• General cleaning and grooming of patients.
• Cognitive impairment/dementias education.
• Patients’ right.
• CPR.

Note: The state of West Virginia does not approve any online CNA Program programs.

1. What are the basic requirements for becoming a CNA in West Virginia?

Answer: You need to sign up for nurse aide classes from one of the institutes approved by West Virginia department of health and human resources. Thereafter, you need to pass a West Virginia nurse aide competency exam and get your name enlisted in nurse aide registry.

2. Is any other term used to refer CNAs in West Virginia?

Answer: In West Virginia, CNA’s are known as Registered Long-Term Care Nurse Aides.   

3. Does the state of West Virginia recognize online CNA programs?

Answer: West Virginia does not approve any online nurse aide program program.

There are some nursing scholarship programs available to the candidates, who demonstrate financial need and want to start their career as a CNA in the state of West Virginia.

• West Virginia Pell GrantThe financial assistance is available for any student in WV that shows financial need through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Form. In order to fulfil the grant requirements, you must:-
  • Submit a FAFSA form.
  • Shows Expected Family Contribution(EFC) less than 3850.
  • Maintain required GPA.

  The fund can be used for tuition costs, and other required material like textbooks, supplies, and study related supplies. Before applying for the grant, you must check first with the financial aid department of your college to make sure that it participates in Pell grant funding.

• Employer Tuition ReimbursementMany employers offer tuition reimbursement to cover the shortage of health care staff. They offer up to fifty percent tuition reimbursements for part-time employees while for full time employees, they offer 75-100% reimbursement to provide a financial boost.

• New River Community and Technical College Foundation – Marlinton Rotary Club Health Sciences ScholarshipThis scholarship of $1000 (up to) is awarded to the students pursuing a career in the healthcare industry at New River Community and Technical College. To qualify for the program, students must be enrolled in an allied program and have a GPA of 2.5. Besides, s/he should be pursuing an education at Pocahontas County High School and have a minimum of 9 credit hours per semester.

You can access free nurse aide program at the Job Corp Center only if you qualify for it. The Charleston Job Corps Center is administered by the Philadelphia Regional Office and operated by Horizons Youth Services. For further information, call on (304) 925-3200.

Contact Details:

Charleston Job Corps Centre
Address: 1000 Curtis Price Way, Charleston, WV 25311
Contact No: (304) 925-3200
Fax No:  (304) 925-7127
Official Website: http://charleston.jobcorps.gov

• West Virginia Workforce Investment BoardThe Workforce Investment Board offers a range of services/programs and financial assistance to help displaced homemakers, unemployed, low-income, underemployed to get back to work or enter a secure career/job.Contact Details:-The Region VI Workforce Investment Board
  Address:  17 Middletown Road, White Hall, WV 26554
  Contact No: (304) 368-9530
  Fax No:  (304) 368-9532
  Official Website: http://www.regionviwv.org

The American Red Cross conduct a wide range of program including certified nurse aide program. The potential candidates can avail free CNA Program or scholarship and grant facility at Red Cross Centre. A list of various chapters in West Virginia is mentioned below:

Contact Details:-

West Virginia Region
Address:  113 Lakeview Drive Charleston, WV 25313
Contact No: (304) 340-3650
Official Website: http://www.redcross.org/wv/charleston

Question: How many Job Corps Centers are there in West Virginia and whether both these centers offer CNA Program?

Answer: There are two Job Corps Centers named as:

• Charleston Job Corps Center
• Harpers Ferry Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center

Among these two, only Charleston Center offer Certified Nurse Aide Program.