A CNA is a Certified Nursing Assistant. CNAs provide direct care to patients primarily by assisting patients with daily living activities while working under the supervision of Registered Nurses (RNs) or Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). A CNA’s role is vital for ensuring that patients receive compassionate and effective care.

Key responsibilities of a CNA include:

• Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): Assisting patients with bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, and toileting
• Vital Signs Monitoring: Regularly checking patients’ temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration rate
• Patient Hygiene: Maintaining personal hygiene by assisting with oral care, hair care, and incontinence management
• Documentation and Reporting: Accurately recording patient observations, care provided, and any changes in condition
• Communication: Effectively communicating patient needs and concerns to nurses and other healthcare team members
• Patient Transportation: Assisting with patient transfers and movement within the facility
• Emotional Support: Providing emotional support and companionship to patients
• Infection Control: Practicing proper hand hygiene and following infection control protocols to prevent the spread of germs
• Basic Medical Tasks: May assist with simple medical procedures under the direction of a nurse, such as applying dressings or taking vital signs

CNAs work in various settings, like healthcare facilities, long-term care, rehab centers, private homes, assisted living communities, and adult care programs. They have close contact with patients, making interpersonal skills crucial. Many CNAs use this role as a starting point before pursuing a nursing career. However, CNAs are not nurses and cannot perform tasks like consulting with doctors or administering medication.

Breakthrough Healthcare is not only nurse owned and operated, but our founder and CEO is also an Instructor and Clinical Supervisor licensed to educate and train CNAs in the State of Missouri. If you would like to get started in healthcare, becoming a CNA can be the beginning of a very fulfilling career.

Becoming a successful CNA requires good interpersonal skills, effective communication, empathy, and patience. These personal skills help CNAs build trust with patients and their families, which is key to delivering high-quality care and supporting patients’ overall well-being.

Through our training, Breakthrough Healthcare can provide you with hands-on experience and a deep understanding of patient care, which is invaluable to working as a CNA and when pursuing further education and training. We offer a practical introduction to the healthcare field, helping CNAs to develop essential skills and gain insights into the day-to-day challenges and rewards of patient care.

The State of Missouri requires the following:

• You must be at least 18 years of age.
• You cannot be listed on the state Employee Disqualification List (EDL).
• You must not have been convicted or entered a plea of guilty to a misdemeanor or felony charge, which includes any suspended imposition of sentence, any suspended execution of sentence, or any period of probation or parole in this state or any other state which, if committed in Missouri, would be a class A or B felony violation of Chapters 565, 566, or 569, RSMo, or any violation of subsection 198.070.3, RSMo, or section 568.020, RSMo, unless a good cause waiver has been granted by the department.

Breakthrough’s CNA program consists of a minimum of 75 classroom hours and 100 clinical hours. In addition to classroom training and hands-on clinical experience, we will prepare you to pass several recognized national certification exams, including the Missouri CNA Certification and the American Heart Association Basic Life Support Certification.

You can receive Breakthrough’s CNA training in 6 weeks or less.

Breakthrough’s CNA program costs $900. Payment options are available.

Our next CNA class is scheduled for December of 2024. Please complete the information below to receive detailed registration information for our upcoming CNA classes.