CNA Classes in Akron, OH

The state of Ohio requires State Tested Nursing Assistants (STNA) to have the necessary competencies to work in home settings, long-term care facilities, hospitals, assisted living facilities and hospices. The state generally has a high demand for STNAs that can work in different settings like community centers, rehabilitation facilities, private clinics, nursing homes, and retirement communities.

Akron is the county seat of Summit County, Ohio’s fourth most populous county with over half a million residents during the 2010 census. Akron itself is the fifth largest city in Ohio in terms of population and 199th in the entire US. The city’s median age is 35.7 with individuals aged 45 to 64 making up 25.9 percent of the population. About 12.6 percent are aged 65 and up.

The city’s population and age demographics are telling of the need for healthcare professionals. As of May 2016, there are only 3,610 Nurse Aides in Akron. This is to more than 50 nursing homes, excluding other healthcare facilities. This may change soon as schools that offer nursing courses are increasing the area. With the rising demand, even nursing homes are offering training for those who are willing and have the passion for service.

Med-Cert Training Center

Med-Cert is family owned and operated. It has locations in Cleveland and Akron. The center is registered with the Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools. The STNA program is approved by the Ohio Department of Health.

Med-Cert’s STNA program follows the state-required training and testing requirements. The program’s curriculum would cover courses in body mechanics, nutrition, anatomy & physiology, diseases, infection control, communication skills, and patient rights. Clinical practice would be with real patients in a nursing home setting. Graduates are qualified to take the nursing assistant exam facilitated by the Ohio State Board of Nursing.

Classes are available all year round. The STNA course clocks at 76 hours and have two class options. One is a weekday class, Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for two weeks. The other schedule option is the weekend classes during Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for five weekends.

Classes may not push through if the required class size is not reached. Those who already enrolled are informed of the cancellation and are given refunds.

The required minimum age is only 16 years old. Applicants just need to show at least an 8th grade-level of literacy. Admission requirements include a TB skin test, physical exam, a background check. Applicants should also present a valid state-issued ID. The application can be done online.

The program costs $475. The breakdown includes a $70 registration fee and $405 instructional tuition. A liability insurance policy is also included in the tuition fee. Med-Cert offers different payment plans and payment methods.

Med-Cert offers employment assistance and career services to students and new graduates.

Contact Med-Cert Training Center by phone (440-786-2378) or visit their website.

Akron School of Practical Nursing

Akron School of Practical Nursing was founded in 1951 to meet the increasing need for nurses in the Akron City Hospital. Worth Howard, the hospital’s executive director at the time thought that they could meet the need through vocational healthcare programs. A part of the Akron Public Schools system, this nursing school offers three healthcare programs: Practical Nursing (PN), State Tested Nurse Aid (STNA), and Phlebotomy Technician.

The school’s state-approved STNA program is 83.5 hours’ worth of classroom and clinical instruction. The school guarantees small class sizes and experienced instructors. There is also a hands-on clinical experience in long-term care facilities.

The program duration is eight weeks. Day classes are offered five times a year while evening classes are offered only four times a year. Day classes are held twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Evening classes are held two to three evenings a week (the days can vary) from 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Students are required to present a background check, documentation for updated immunizations and physical (TB test, flu shot, optional Hepatitis B series vaccination, MMR, chicken pox and tetanus booster)

The program costs around $650. This amount includes the tuition, uniform, books, and state test fees. Not included in the uniform cost is the white shoes that students are required to wear.

The school offers career services and job placement assistance.

Contact Barb Dawson, the STNA Program Manager by phone (330-873-3355) or email her: bdawson@akron.k12.oh.us.

Fortis Institute in Cuyahoga Falls

Fortis College and Fortis Institute are school systems owned by Education Affiliates. The two school systems have more than 40 campuses located in 15 states. They also have an online learning platform that is available for students from the rest of the US.

The Fortis College in Cuyahoga Falls (formerly National Institute of Technology), is a postsecondary career school that serves parts of the Summit County, Cleveland, and Brunswick areas.  The campus’ medical career training programs include nursing, medical and dental programs. It has an accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and approval by the State Board of Career Colleges and Schools to award Associates of Applied Science degrees and diplomas.

The State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA) course is part of the campus’ Continuing Education program. The curriculum consists of lectures, laboratory exercises and hands-on clinical training overseen by an experienced Nursing Instructor. The course is geared towards long-term care, especially for patients that need round-the-clock care. Course objectives include gaining skills in providing supervised basic medical care, performing a proper emergency procedure like CPR, proper transferring of patients, performing personal care and assistance, understanding & adhering to safety procedures, and monitoring vital signs.

The tuition fee is $800. The course is not qualified for financial aid assistance.

Every Fortis campus has a Career Services Center. The main purpose of this center is to assist graduates with job placement. Graduating students will meet with the Director of Career Services to discuss the assistance and services they can avail based on their courses.

Contact Fortis Institute’s Continuing Education Department by phone (330-923-9959) or visit their website above.

Stark State College Akron

Stark State College (SSC) provides high-value, industry in-demand associate degrees, career enhancement certificates, and lifelong learning opportunities. The college has an open-door policy that enables an individual to access higher education in an affordable manner.

Stark is the fourth largest two-year college in Ohio. The college’s 230 programs are taught by dedicated and highly experienced faculty. These programs not only serve as pathways for career success but also as bridges for higher educational opportunities with the courses’ high transferability

The STNA program is one of the Akron campus’ certificate programs. The college’s nursing programs have full approval status from the Ohio Board of Nursing and accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN).

The in-state tuition for the 3-credit hour STNA program is $460.80. There are required fees including a one-time processing fee of $95 and a maintenance/campus security fee of $35 per semester. There’s also a $35 health record management fee and $15 liability insurance for all health students. There’s a $55 pre-admit test for nursing students. Testing fees for STNA students may be slightly lower. There are also other fees including a $35 background check fee and other program-specific fees and costs including instructional materials.

Contact SSC Akron by phone (330-494-6170) and look for Christin Lynn, Akron Enrollment Coordinator. You can also email them: akron@starkstate.edu.

Stow-Glen Retirement Village

Stow-Glen Retirement Village is the first continuum care retirement community in Summit County. Founded in 1984, the Christian facility became fully owned and operated by employees in 2010. Services include independent living, assisted living, long-term care, short-term skilled rehabilitation, and home health care.

Employees are encouraged to attend training classes to maintain the quality of their service. That’s why they have experienced instructors on-site. The instructor for the Nurse Aide training has more than 26 years of experience in long-term care and 14 years of experience as a primary instructor for NA training.

The registration form can be downloaded online. This form and the $250 program cost should be submitted before classes commence. Admission requirements include recent physical, 2-step TB results, clear background check, a negative drug test, Social Security Card and a Driver’s License card. Students are required to wear scrubs and tennis shoes.

Contact Margaret by phone (330-686-7157) for inquiries regarding the NA training program.

Altercare of Ohio, Inc.

Altercare is a family-owned nursing care and rehabilitation company. The first facility was founded in 1973 by the Schroer family with the aim of providing quality long-term healthcare and giving back to the community.

The company has over 30 locations in Ohio and Michigan. They have locations in Summit County (Cuyahoga Falls and Stow) that are just a few minutes from Akron. Altercare also received the NorthCoast99 Award for 14 years in a row. This award is given by the Employers Resource Council to the top 99 companies that have the best work environment in the Northeast Ohio area.

Aside from employment opportunities, Altercare also offers free training for those who want to enter the healthcare field. The facility’s free Nurse Aide training is a company-paid training available for those who qualify. The training itself is held on any of Altercare’s facilities for two weeks. Upon completion, the company will pay for the refresher course and state test. There is also a $600 bonus and an increase in hourly rate after passing the state test.

Applicants are required to be at least 18 years old, no criminal background, negative drug test result, and a willingness to become an STNA.

Contact Altercare human resources department through email: hrlinks@altercareonline.net. Or visit their careers page for more information.

All State Approved CNA Classes in Akron, OH