STNA Classes and How to Find Them

Are you seeking a great profession that will allow you to assist others in leading more fulfilling lives? The role of an STNA is perfect for you if you appreciate helping others and are a compassionate person. Giving care and support to patients will render you a feeling of purpose at work.

STNAs or State Tested Nursing Assistants are a category of frontline workers in the healthcare system since they interact with patients directly. Employment for STNAs is expected to rise faster than average due to the healthcare sector’s continued expansion. Through experience or extra training, you can even progress to other professions like registered nurses and licensed practical nurses.

So, to help you find suitable STNA classes, we have gathered all the necessary information regarding the program.

In this article, we will discuss everything about STNA classes and how you can find one. But before learning about it, let’s understand the responsibilities you’ll have to fulfill as an STNA.

What Does an STNA Do?

STNAs, commonly known as CNAs, perform their duties in various locations, including hospitals, childcare centers, rehabilitation institutions, and clinics. They can also work in residential care facilities, patients’ homes, and assisted living facilities. By aiding patients with personal care and keeping track of their progress toward recovery, STNAs promote their overall well-being.

STNAs assist nurses with various tasks, including changing sheets and gowns, bathing patients, assisting with their personal and toiletry requirements, and helping them eat and drink properly. They also have to measure, document, and keep track of patients’ vital signs, help nurses with wound care and dressing, and set up and support various medical treatments.

Besides, STNAs can assist in ambulation, transporting patients, and providing a close eye for assessing a patient’s stability and well-being. Most of these pursuits need strong physical stamina and top-notch communication abilities.

However, STNAs don’t provide medicine or carry out medical treatments without the supervision of an RN, LPN, or doctor.

Why Taking STNA Classes is Essential?

Before starting employment in a healthcare facility, an individual must obtain STNA certification. To get the state’s license, STNAs must finish a structured program or training classes, clear a background check, and qualify for a certification exam. Completing a state-approved curriculum and passing the competency test are the two most common ways to get an STNA license.

Enrolling in an Ohio Department of Health authorized training program can help you prepare for the in-demand health job of an STNA. You can pursue further study to work as a nurse, medical assistant, or other healthcare professionals after you gain enough experience in the field.

Besides, STNA training offers students the chance to work in a rewarding environment while gaining enhanced experience.

What Should You Look for in STNA Classes?

The Nurse Aide Training Competency Evaluation Program is a prerequisite for becoming an STNA (NATCEP). Ohio mandates a 75-hour training requirement. Among them, 59 hours should be spent in classes. And the remaining 16 hours must be spent working under the direction of an RN or LPN in a long-term care facility.

Ohio does not impose basic education requirements for potential applicants obtaining their STNA license. However, each institution has its unique requirements for new student admission. It can be necessary for applicants without high school graduation to complete a reading and writing comprehension test.

A wide range of topics is covered in STNA classes. Some classes may offer additional subjects, too. However, every STNA class you look for must include the following topics.

Measuring and Documenting Vital Signs

A nursing assistant’s critical responsibility is taking and documenting a patient’s vital signs. Some recordings that a CNA or STNA typically makes include height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration.

The act of taking and documenting vital signs can appear common. However, this is an essential aspect of any patient’s treatment.

Recording signs is essential because some patients may have severe abnormalities in their vitals. The clinical component of a good STNA training curriculum should include instructions and experience in taking vital signs in a real-world environment.

Infection Control

Infection control is crucial while working in a medical environment. As a result, you will have to study infection control during your STNA training. You will learn all essential aspects of infection control, including the following.

• Usage of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Appropriate methods for putting on and taking off gloves
• The significance of cleansing and sanitizing
• A deeper understanding of essential safety measures and universal precautions

Developing Communication and Interpersonal Skills

Effective interpersonal and communication skills are essential for a job as a nursing assistant. Patients may not always communicate using conventional methods. Therefore, you must understand non-verbal cues to comprehend their concerns.

Being a good CNA or STNA requires you to have the qualities of patience, comprehension, and empathy. Your training program must encourage you to achieve these aspects while detailing how to use these abilities.

These interpersonal skills will become imperative when interacting with residents or patients who are disabled. You are responsible for making the patients feel valued, respected, and understood.

Developing Patient Care Skills

Any STNA training program must incorporate patient care as a necessary learning component. Patient care tasks comprise a large portion of what nursing assistants must do in their everyday jobs.

However, institution-specific policies can apply, and it is better to discover them in person.

The training program must include the following essential patient care processes.

• Bathing
• Dressing
• Grooming
• Oral care
• Skincare
• Toileting
• A meal and a beverage plan
• Helping with eating and drinking
• Proper ways of feeding
• Positioning, turning, and transfers
• Getting a patient into or out of bed

Safety Measures

STNAs frequently work in situations where crises might develop at any time. Since they directly interact with patients, they are often the first to observe and act in response to a medical emergency. Due to this, CNAs must possess knowledge of CPR and the Heimlich maneuver.

You should also study or be familiar with first aid. In such cases, if you are the first person on the spot, you can offer immediate assistance. Besides, knowing how to evacuate patients in a fire outbreak or other emergencies is crucial. Thus, the training program must familiarize you with specific rules and regulations regarding safety.

Patient Rights

HIPPA, or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, is a legal term. This statute usually indicates that a healthcare provider cannot release personal data about a patient without receiving consent from that patient or their authorized representative.

So, to work as a nursing assistant, you must be well aware of and follow these HIPPA rules. You will risk putting your job in jeopardy if you violate patient privacy.

Hence, ensure that HIPPA information is a part of your CNA training curriculum, so you never break the law.

Some critical aspects of patient rights are as follows.

• Encouraging the patient’s freedom to choose their path to meet their demands
• Preserving the security and care of their personal belongings
• Ensuring secrecy and maintaining the privacy of patient data
• Providing support in resolving their complaints and conflicts
• Providing them the necessary support for attending and taking part in resident and family groups and other activities
• Promoting the patient’s right to be free from abuse, neglect, and other forms of ill-treatment, as well as reporting any instances of these to the relevant facility personnel
• Following current professional standards and avoiding the need for constraints

What to Expect from STNA Certification Test?

Candidate registration for the state test is open upon completion of the Nurse Aide Training & Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP). Then, after completing the state examination, you can be enrolled in the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry.

D & S Diversified Technologies is in charge of overseeing Ohio STNA Testing and Certification. The written test consists of 79 questions, and you have 90 minutes to answer them.

The test includes the appropriate demonstration of hand washing, followed by an examination of 4 other abilities that will be chosen randomly. State legislation requires STNA programs to run for at least 4 months.

The Ohio Department of Health Nurse Aide Registry will include graduate individuals who pass the test and graduate successfully.

How to Find STNA Classes?

Ohio has many locations where you can take STNA classes. In addition to some hospitals and the American Red Cross, you can find STNA programs at community colleges, technical institutions, high schools, and other places. 

Aspiring STNAs can enroll in institutions like nursing homes that give training free of charge, covering all costs, textbooks, and other supplies. Depending on how long passes between the completion of training and the employment date, certain facilities may even refund up to 100% of a student’s training expenses.

You can also enroll in online programs for STNAs. However, to complete the course, students must still participate in on-site clinical training. However, if you discover an online STNA course, be sure to carefully study the entry criteria before registering for it.

Final Words

The healthcare sector highly depends on State Tested Nursing Assistants (STNA). They have jobs as Care Partners, Patient Care Assistants, Caregivers, Clinical Assistants, Home Health Aides, and Resident Assistants, among other titles.

To qualify for the STNA certification test, many state-approved online and offline courses provide complete theoretical knowledge and practical training. Also, these programs enable you to take STNA practice examinations.

So, you can opt for these training classes and prepare to enlist as a nursing assistant in Ohio Nurse Aide Registry!