CNA Training in Pittsburgh

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Jun 29, 2008

Hey I posted a response in your other thread in the CNA discussion forum. Basically I said that I wouldn't pay the money CCAC is charging. I went to one of UPMC's hospitals (ie. Presby, Shadyside, Passavant, etc) and got trained as a PCT (like a CNA but with a little bit more responsibility). It was a two week class, after which we were placed on a floor where we would be working, and there have more orientation. You can leave UPMC at any time, there is no money to pay back or anything for becoming a PCT, but if you wish to transfer within UPMC you do have to hold a position for 1 year. I originally thought of going to a nursing home to get trained, but my starting pay at UPMC's hospital was $2.00/hr higher than the nursing home.

Let me know if you have any more questions. :)

kalley · Nov 9, 2008

I would love to PCT training at UPMC. They have a position open at Magee that I would love. Should I just apply for the position without the training and then they will train me if I am hired? I have been curious about this and got a very unhelpful response from them via email.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Nov 11, 2008

I would love to PCT training at UPMC. They have a position open at Magee that I would love. Should I just apply for the position without the training and then they will train me if I am hired? I have been curious about this and got a very unhelpful response from them via email.

It Never hurts to apply! They may be willing to train!

adambell · Jun 25, 2009

im a PCT at UPMC. you apply for nursing assistant. note they put "experience preferred" but not required. they train you as a NA for 40 hours (you get paid for this btw) then after working as a NA for 4-6ish months you get 8 hours of training of phlebotomy and other stuff and you get a raise as a patient care tech (PCT). you can now stick people (do blood draws) after 8-12 months you will go for basic arrhtymia and ACLS advanced cardiac life support classes (your paid once again to go to these classes) and then you get to be an advanced PCT. you now can transfer patients on heart monitors to other units. if on the journey they code you'll have to call the code, do compressions, defibrillate, etc.

btw APCTs work in ERs. NA/PCTs dont.

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Jun 26, 2009

I would go the hospital PCA route. I work LTC as and RN and have done CNA work years ago.

r0b0tafflicti0n · Jul 6, 2009

Yeah, you really do not need your CNA license to be hired for nurses aid positions at UPMC. Just do a search for PCT and Nurse Aid positions.

r0b0tafflicti0n · Jul 7, 2009

here you go, posted on upmc infonet the other day:

job title: cna trainee sl job id: 1051465 department: 1234567890 miscellaneous department seneca place location: upmc senior communities is the largest provider of long-term care and senior living services in the region and is supported by the area's largest and most comprehensive geriatric services. more than 2,800 seniors in western pennsylvania have chosen a safe and welcoming home in one of the upmc senior communities. full/part time: casual regular/temporary: limited return to previous page job summary seneca place is currently seeking enthusiastic candidates for our cna training program. the cna training program will train individuals in the skills necessary to receive a certified nursing assistant certification. classes are held for approximately three weeks, hours are from 7am-3:30pm monday - friday. completion of cna training classes is a requirement before taking the pa dept. of health nursing assistant certification examination.

after completing class you positions are availalbe as a cna for full-time, part-time and casual hours. shifts available are 3pm-11:30pm and 11pm-7:30am (day light shift, 7am-3:30pm is limited). responsibilities -learning how to assist and administer activities of daily living to the resident according to care plan

-promptly reporting to class as assigned

-all students are expected to follow all policies and procedures basic qualifications -high school diploma or ged

-clear criminal background check salary range: 7.40 upmc is an equal opportunity employer.

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2009

$7.40 to start? SRSLY?

r0b0tafflicti0n · Jul 11, 2009

I think that's while you're in the course. Which, obviously, is better than paying the $700 she was planning on shelling out?

mochabean · Jul 12, 2009

This post is old and I already have a nursing assistant position, but thanks for responding anyway because it could be helpful to someone else. I'm *glad* I didn't pay all that money to CCAC for nurses aide training! When I started working at the hospital, NA initially were paid $9.91 an hour. A couple months later UPMC changed the starting rate to $10.16 an hour. I'm not surprised it would be lower at a SNF.

bar2059815 · Jul 13, 2009

hi! i am an international student and planning to do CNA training in Pittsburgh. Currently i m at arizona. I am looking for place where i can get CNA training for free or for low price. I dont know what are the requirements for taking that class and also how it is to work as CNA. It would be nice if anyone can help me with this.