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As we have previously discussed, Nurse Aide Training Programs (NATP) require 4 elements:
- Materials for the classroom training
- An instructor to deliver the classroom training
- An instructor / preceptor to deliver the clinical and skills training
- Space for the classroom and lab work
As you know, Straightaway provides classroom training materials and support technology to the instructors that are the foundation of a successful CNA training site. To obtain approval, facilities must have a qualified instructor as well as an RN to provide general oversight of the program (usually the Director of Nursing). Many of our clients have an existing group of nurse educators, as they already have approved CNA training programs.
However, there is another group of prospects and clients that are either reconstituting a shuttered program or are starting a new one. As you might expect, these folks are concerned about where they might find their instructors. Questions we typically see include:
Do I need an instructor at each location?
The short answer is no. While each state has its own unique take, organizations can typically use the same instructor in multiple locations. Regulators do approve multiple “shared” instructors. Whether shared or not, the Program Coordinator will provide oversight to the instructors in any program.
Does the person have to be our employee AND does this require that I add a FTE to teach the classes?
No. We see clients use contractors and consultants on a 1099 basis. Applications require that instructors be licensed nurses (RN in most states, LPN and LVN in some) and have a certain number of years of experience in nursing AND long-term care.
Do you have an instructor we could use OR Can you help us find an instructor?
Straightaway has been helping our customers find instructors. We have a small, yet growing, network of nurse instructors that we can make available. Additionally, we have been recruiting nurse instructors (see job description here) in a variety of locations / regions and we have received substantial interest.
Is the Instructor the same person who will teach the clinical portion of the course?
While there is not a requirement for the clinical instructor to be the same as the classroom instructor they often are. Straightaway is starting to hear that customers may want to have the instructor be a 1099 contractor and have onsite Director of Nursing (DON)*, Assistant DON (ADON), Staff Development Coordinator (SDC), or other internal nursing position who meets the state’s nurse eligibility requirements conduct the clinicals.
* (if the DON in a facility is providing general oversight of the program, then they are prohibited from performing the actual training)
Our team here at Straightaway has been doing this for a while now! We have customers approved or in the process of approval in 19 states. We are here to support you through every step of your regulatory application in your quest to reduce your short-staffing pain. Click here to learn more.
