What is a CNA?
Before discussing the specifics of how to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in the State of Delaware, you should first be clear on what a CNA is and what their responsibilities are. Technically, a Certified Nurse Assistant is a person who is listed on the Delaware Nurse Aide Registry as having successfully completed a CNA training course and a competency evaluation. By doing so, they are granted permission by the state to provide care to the chronically ill or elderly in a Hospice or Nursing Home. More specifically, CNAs are responsible for assisting residents or clients with bathing, dressing, grooming, walking, going to the bathroom, eating, and transferring in and out of a bed or chair. In other words, CNAs provide most of the care that does not require the skill or judgement of a registered nurse (RN) or physician.
CNAs often put their skills to use as Home Health Aides (HHAs). In fact, many Home Health Agencies specifically look for CNAs to fill HHA positions, because of the high level of training that they receive.
Is There a Difference Between a CNA and a Home Health Aide?
Home Health Aides and Certified Nurse Assistants differ in the scope of the tasks that they are allowed to perform, the degree to which they are trained, and the amount of money that they make – CNAs have more responsibility, get more training, and therefore make more money. In casual conversation, however, people often refer to CNAs as Home Health Aides, because they tend to fulfill the same role as HHAs when they are employed at a Home Health Agency. They both provide in-home, non-skilled care to chronically ill or elderly clients, so that the client can remain in his or her own home. In other words, it would not be incorrect to label a CNA that provides Home Health Care as a Home Health Aide, but it does not give that CNA full credit for their abilities and degree of training.
This site also has an articles about becoming a Home Health Aide or Home Care Aide in Delaware, and the difference between HHAs and CNAs.
General Requirements for Becoming a CNA in Delaware
Before beginning your CNA training, you need to be sure that you have what it takes to be an excellent CNA, since the people that you are caring for (not to mention your employer) are counting on you to give the highest quality care possible. A great CNA is compassionate, hard working, and has excellent communication skills.
You should also be in good health, because the job can be physically demanding and you may be working with people that have compromised immune systems.
Also, keep in mind that under State and Federal law, you must submit to a criminal background check and be screened for tuberculosis (TB) and recent illicit drug use.
Specific CNA Training Requirements
In Delaware, CNA training courses are most often provided by vocational schools and long term care facilities. If you are looking for a training center in your area, take a look at this complete list of Delaware State approved CNA training programs.
All of the CNA training programs in Delaware must meet the same requirements. The course must be at least 150 hours long, which consists of 75 hours of classroom training and 75 hours of clinical skills training in a long term care setting, such as a nursing home. The training course must cover the following subject areas:
- The role of the Nursing Assistant within the Agency;
- Client rights;
- Basic principles of infection control;
- Basic emergency procedures;
- How to maintain a clean, safe, and healthy environment;
- Psychosocial characteristics of the population being served;
- Communication skills;
- Basic nutrition and meal preparation;
- Anatomy and physiology;
- Recognizing signs and symptoms of common illnesses and conditions;
- Personal care skills;
- Basic nursing skills;
- Principles of restorative care; and
- Providing care to a dying person.
Delaware CNA Certification Examination
After you complete your training program, you will be required to sit for the Delaware CNA Certification Exam, which is offered by the third-party testing company Prometric. The test will consist of both written/oral and practical components. The cost of the test is $118 for an oral and practical test, and $108 for a written and practical test.
CNA Orientation
Following the training course, you will be required to undergo an orientation at your place of employment, the duration of which will depend on the type of institution that you work for.
Typical orientation training topics include:
- A tour of the facility,
- Review of fire and disaster plans,
- Communication and documentation requirements, and
- A review of the care plan for each assigned resident or client.
Additional CNA Training
A CNA that provides any care for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or any other form of dementia must undergo yearly dementia training. This training must include:
- How to communicate with people with dementia,
- The psychological, social, and physical needs of those people, and
- Safety measures that need to be taken with those people.
What If I Am Certified In Another State?
If you have are on the CNA Registry in another state, you may be allowed to apply for certification by reciprocity, assuming that the following conditions have been met:
- You have a current CNA certificate from the state in which you are currently practicing;
- You have 3 months of full-time experience as a CNA, or you have completed a training program and competency evaluation with requirements that are equal to or exceed those required by the state of Delaware;
- You must be in good standing in the state in which you are currently certified;
- You must pay the $30 reciprocity fee.
How Much Money Does a CNA In Delaware Make?
According the Bureau of Labor statistics, the mean hourly wage for Nurse Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants in the State of Delaware was $13.43 per hour. You can find CNA salaries in your area here.
Resources
CNA certification in Delaware is overseen by Delaware Health and Social Services.
A copy of the regulations for CNA Training in Delaware can be found here.
Visit Prometric for more information about testing. Their CNA training site has a lot of great resources including a practice test.