In-Service Training

In Service Training is also an integral part of your ongoing education. It is important to realize that each state can add to the Federal OBRA Reconciliation Act in 1987 and therefore some states will have different requirements in order to keep and maintain licensed certification status.  As an example, a CNA working in New York will have to go through a clinical competency skills exam which includes both written and oral evaluations during the first 3 years while enrolled in the CNA training program.

Other states have varying degrees of stringency and may adjust the training requirements as the industry evolves.  The latest updates are as follows:

California:  Certified CNA’s will have to renew their certification every two years.  Additionally, they will have to complete an additional 48 hours (12 of which must be completed the firs year) of in-service training to complete the renewal process. 

Florida: CNA’s certified in Florida state are required to to complete a minimum of 18 hours of remedial in-service training per year in order to maintain certification. The in-service covers the day-to-day tasks such as patients’ rights, CPR skills, HIV/Aids infection safety measures, patient medical records documentation and domestic violence.

Georgia:  If an employee is working in a state approved Medicare or Medicade facility such as a nursing home, they must attend a minimum of 12 hours of mandatory training each year that can be done at the attending facility or at training location approved by the employer.

Illinois: This state not regularly scheduled training, but replies on the element of surprise.  At any given time, a certified nursing assistant can be approached and asked to demonstrate one on many different ADL’s (Activities of Daily Living) care tasks.  If the examiner discovers that the CNA is not performing proficiently, he or she may warrant the need for in-service training with the coordination of the charge nurse.

Indiana: This state requires a minimum of 12 hours of in-service training each year to maintain certification. Moreover, the facilities located throughout the state are required to conduct evaluations of each employee each year.  If any employee is found to have scored low on their performance test or review, they must go through in-service training before they are reinstated into the supervision of patients care.

When in doubt of any ongoing certified nursing assistant education, you may contact the State Department (DOH) to find out what your state requires for in-service continuing education.  The aforementioned requirements may not be the only requirements listed for your state.  The facility may have their own core curriculum that includes that of the state’s along with their unique set of guidelines.  This is all to help assure your success as a CNA.