Familiar with "American HealthCare Training?"

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Does anyone have any experience with American HealthCare Training (CNA) on Stark Street in Portland? It almost seemed too good to be true to have a 4 week program with new classes starting every two weeks. I was a little concerned when I Google Mapped the address and couldn't quite locate the exact building, but it all looks run down (7821 SE Stark). And with just three instructors (though I don't know how big the classes are), I wondered if it had been around long, had successful graduates, etc.

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I don't know @ this program, but HIGHLY recommend Marquis's CNA training program. There is no cost, great teachers, low ratio. We had about 15 students in my class and 3 RN's who had been nurses 15+ years so lots of experience. It is 5 weeks M-F about 8am-3pm at their Mt. Tabor location. Go on their website and apply at the location you would want to work at. They post the class every month or so. Then you have a job working for them at the end.

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Thank you! The state site (http://www.oregon.gov/OSBN/pdfs/CNA_CMAprograms.pdf) lists training sites, but is incomplete. I know of other Nursing Homes in the area who offer classes. I also know that when you call Salem Hospital, it talks about showing up to the October orientation. Is the message really early, or really late? Getting good information about schools is nearly impossible with all the internet scam sites, so thanks again!

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Salem's website has said for a long time, not currently accepting applications for their CNA class. I would think their message is old. I just checked this website today.

See:

Career Opportunities - Certified Nurses Assistant Program - Salem Hospital

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I'm curious.... they say to "bring a set of fingerprints." I wonder how you do that? Plus, I have been fingerprinted several times over the years in assorted jobs, including last month for the census and they all use a particular card. Did you do this?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Cardiac Cath Lab.
I'm curious.... they say to "bring a set of fingerprints." I wonder how you do that? Plus, I have been fingerprinted several times over the years in assorted jobs, including last month for the census and they all use a particular card. Did you do this?

When I started nursing school in 2004, Washington County did my fingerprint card for me. I think it was under $10. I would check with your local county government to see how to do it. Good luck!

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Specializes in LTC, ALF.

Prestige Care also offers free training, and for the most part will have a job for you (I say this because not everyone in my CNA class got a job, but most of them did). I heard good things about Marquis Care and there are a few others in the area that provide free training.

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Interesting. There are 5 CNA programs that I can find in the Portland area that offer an intense 4 week class. They all have different starting prices and lists of other costs. Smoke and mirrors basically. In the end, I found it easier to go to a school that lists a slightly higher price, but brings CPR, fingerprinting and the TB to you, rather than you searching around for it. So I chose American Healthcare. They have night, weekend or a daytime series. Night & Weekend take 8 weeks since you have less time per week than day classes.

I have not yet sat for my boards, but hear horror stories. One person I've met failed a skill test, and therefore failed all skills and is awaiting a "do over." The failure was that the testing person claimed he gave an inaccurate radial pulse. However, the tester was not monitoring the pulse on the other hand or with a stethascope, she apparently just watched? The student challenged it, and the State has decided he doesn't have to pay the fees again as you normally would, but they are still making him retest all five skills. Kind of like admitting some guilt, but not wanting to get all that involved.

I'm wondering if anyone has any pointers for Boards? Be confident, but not cocky, be humble, but don't grovel, be friendly, but not familiar..... am I on track?

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What was your experience with American Healthcare like? It sounded too good to be true online, especially when it said that if you find employment in a year, you can be reimbursed. I'm researching them myself, so this is what they emailed to me. Maybe it will help someone else:

"Here at American Healthcare CNA School, we welcome all students, we do provide CNA training, Core Basic Training, and Continue education which are self training. We offer two CNA classes the first one is our Weekday class which are Mon-Thur. from 7am to 2pm for 3 wks and the second class is our weekend class which are Sat. & Sundays from 9am-5:30pm for 6 weekends. The cost of the training is a total of $550.00 (srubs [sic],gait belt and state exam not included in the training). Clinicals are done at Washington Care Center they are a skills nursing facility. Once you pass the state exam that is when they register you to work in the state of Washingtion and Washington only, if you do leave to another state you will have to contact their DOH to see how their guidelines works. As For reimbursement, once you complete the training and find an employer, you can ask them to see if they will reimburse you, each facility may differ. If you have any more questions you can also reach us at 206-838-4094."

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