Free Certified Nurse Aide Training
The Certified Nurse Aide training program is a joint effort among the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Department of Health, Oklahoma Foundation for Medical Quality, and several long term care facilities
The program is designed to meet a growing need for direct care in our long-term care facilities here in Oklahoma. Free, quality training is provided to prospective nurse aides. In return for the free training, the newly certified aide agrees to work 12 months of a 24 month certification period at a Soonercare facility.
The local training sites have now extended to sixteen cities, including Bartlesville, Chickasha, Cleveland, Corn/Weatherford, Enid, Grove, Holdenville, Mangum, McAlester, Muskogee, Oklahoma City, Pocola, Sallisaw, Tahlequah, Tishomingo and Tulsa/Claremore.
One of the goals of the program is to provide training at the local level throughout the State of Oklahoma.
- Free to students who sign a contract with OHCA stating that they will work in a SoonerCare facility for 12 of 24 months
- Interested parties must make a 70 or above on a reading test
- Free set of scrubs and stethoscope
- Interested parties must pass an OSBI background check and Tuberculosis test (student pays for this)
- Students will go through a 96 hour training program with 72 hours of classroom training and 24 hours of supervised clinical training
- After completion of the class, passing of a skills test, making a 75 percent or greater on a written test students will become a CNA
- Students may also opt to pay for the class if they do not want to sign a contract with OHCA
- Find class locations and enroll online
- Certified Nurse Aide Training video commercial
The program was designed to meet the following objectives:
- Decrease cost: training costs to the individual long term care facilities has been significantly decreased; due to the FREE training of nurse aides with a commitment to give 12 months of service during their 24 month certification period in a Soonercare funded facility.
- Reduce time: training and recruitment time has been reduced at the local level due to the infusion of qualified nurse aides. Training time at the state level has been reduced because the process has been centralized and promoted statewide.
- Improve customer service and satisfaction: it is widely accepted that having more qualified direct care staff in the facilities will improve the quality of care, and thus customer service and satisfaction.
- Greatly improve employee morale: the morale of long term care staff (especially those in supervisory positions) has greatly improved because of the assistance provided in training, recruitment, and retention of aides.
- Better manage resources: resources such as training funds, training facilities, instructors, and testing capability have been better managed due to centralization.
- Create partnerships with other organizations: Oklahoma Health Care Authority, Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City, and numerous long-term care facilities have joined together to provide this valuable service to the consumers of Oklahoma.
Contact:
For more information, contact Melissa or Jennifer at (405) 945-8615, e-mail them, or contact LaQueda Viewins at (405) 522-7538.