CNA Classes and CNA Training Programs in Oakland, California (CA)

The city of Oakland, California, offers a wide range of medical careers for those interested in a life of helping others. CNAs are in high demand, as are most other medical professionals. The national nursing shortage has certainly been felt here in Oakland, and you’ll discover that you have a wealth of employment opportunities. Becoming a CNA can help you launch a rewarding career in nursing, whether you choose to remain as a certified nursing assistant or move up to a higher position after completing CNA classes in Oakland.

Finding Information about Jobs in Oakland

Job information about CNA positions in Oakland will help you make a number of decisions. For instance, you can learn more about area employers and their most common requirements beyond basic state certification and licensing. You can also learn more about potential compensation and the number of related positions into which CNAs can move.

To start your search for job information, you can use Craigslist’s job ads. While Oakland doesn’t have its own page, the San Francisco Bay Area page includes listings in Oakland. You’ll find CNA positions, as well as many other listings to help give you an accurate overview of the industry in the area.

Don’t stop with those job ads, though. There are many other places to look, particularly if you need a helping hand to become employed after graduating from a course. To help you get started, you can make use of one of the city’s medical staffing agencies. Interestingly, many clinics, hospitals and other medical centers prefer to work through these agencies to ensure quality during the hiring process. Here are some of the better staffing agencies in Oakland:

• Ascot Staffing

Licensing and Education Requirements for California CNAs

The city of Oakland follows the state of California’s requirements for CNAs and other nursing professionals. You need to ensure that you choose one of the approved CNA programs in Oakland, or you risk not being qualified to sit for the licensing exam. Most education providers list state approval prominently on their website and in their disclaimer information. If you are unable to find information about the programs’ approval status, it is best to choose another.

Once you have completed your CNA training (it should consist of about 170 hours of training), you’ll need to submit your application to sit for the exam. You will need to undergo a full criminal background check and provide proof of immunizations, as well as your fingerprints for a fingerprint card. The exam itself consists of both multiple-choice questions and a skills assessment portion during which you will display your abilities to the instructor during a series of procedures.

If you fail to pass the exam on your first attempt, the state offers up to three tries. Failure of the final try will result in you having to retake your CNA classes  prior to taking the exam once more. Those passing the exam will need to become recertified every two years (that does not require you to retake the education course in most instances).

CNA Training in Oakland

For those searching for an education provider, the city of Oakland offers quite a wide range of options. You will find several excellent schools that can provide you with state-approved CNA training to get your career started.

Key Employers in Town

After graduating from your course and passing the exam, you’ll need to find employment. In addition to medical staffing agencies, you will find a range of excellent employers in Oakland. The following options all require CNAs and other medical professionals on a regular basis:

• Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
• Alameda County Medical Center Highland General Hospital
• Children’s Hospital and Research Center Oakland

Salary Information

For those interested in becoming a CNA, the city of Oakland is one of the best places in the country in terms of annual salary. The median annual Certified Nursing Assistant salary in Oakland, CA is $38,250, as of August 17, 2020, with a range usually between $31,774-$45,854 (Salary.com).

Key Skills Learned in Training

It’s important for all CNAs to have a full set of professional medical skills in order to provide excellent patient care. The skills you learn in Oakland CNA classes will include:

• Personal and patient hygiene
• CPR and first aid
• Using common medical devices
• Reading life signs and vitals and correctly recording data
• How to communicate with patients and staff members
• How to deal with cognitively impaired patients