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Maine

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CNA Courses in Maine

Although Maine may be known for its cool climate and snowy winters, it is also famed for its rocky coastline, lobster meals, multiple moose and beautiful state and national parks. Acadia National Park is one of the most familiar places here. However, residents love to spend time outdoors and go fishing in many other areas, including the popular Lake Sebago. Taking a drive down the coast will reveal plenty of quaint towns, impressive lighthouses, and seafood eateries. CNAs here can enjoy all of this beautiful nature while also putting their skills of compassion and care to work taking care of some of the 1.3 million residents, 18 percent of whom are over the age of 65.

More about Maine

– Capital: Augusta
– Minimum Wage: $7.50
– Number of Hospitals: 35
– Number of Nursing Homes: 7,020

Population

– Total Population: 1,330,089
– Population (ages 45-64): 406,885
– Population (ages 65+): 243,507
– Population (ages 85+): 31,721

Top Colleges & Unversities

– Bowdoin College
– Colby College
– Bates College

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in ME

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CNA Training Requirements

Taking the Test (Procedure)

Out-of-State Applicants

Renewing & Expired Certification

Applications & Forms

Contacts & Additional Resources

Maine requires more training hours than any other state. This is great for CNAs who may be considering moving to another state at some point. In fact, Maine has more than twice the federal minimum of CNA training hours. Students here must complete 180 hours altogether of which 70 hours must be completed in a hands-on clinical setting under the supervision of a licensed nurse. The 110 remaining hours are separated between 90 hours of classroom theory training and 20 hours of lab time where students can practice their skills. In addition, students have an excellent opportunity here to receive amazing training because the state requires a registered nurse to teach and supervise students.

To get into a training program, prospective students must be at least 16 years old and have completed a ninth grade education at a minimum. However, some schools may require students to be 18 or to have a high school diploma or GED. Students will need to undergo a complete state and federal background check that goes back at least ten years. They will also need to have fingerprints were taken, which may require an additional fee, and have a photo ID and two additional photographs on file with the state. In addition to this, they will need to have up-to-date immunization prior to training enrollment as well as a negative tuberculosis screening from the past six months. Students must be able to stand long hours on their feet and be able to lift 40 pounds.

The Maine Department of Education manages 27 regional testing centers throughout the state in cooperation with the Maine Career and Technical Education division. The test is a two-part examination that tests both written knowledge and practical skills. The skills section requires students to perform randomly chosen CNA tasks in front of an evaluator. Seven out of 10 skills must be successfully completed for students to pass this part. The written test is composed of multiple-choice questions testing CNA theory. Students must answer at least 70 percent of the questions correctly to pass. The examination must be passed within two years from the end of training for applicants to avoid having to retrain. The cost for the entire examination is $45.

After successfully completing both sections, applicants will need to send in the competency examination score, proof of completing a state-approved training course and a copy of the previously performed criminal background check to the Maine Nurse Aide Registry. The state may take up to 30 days to process the application after which point they will send out a wallet certificate. There is no additional fee to be placed on the registry. Applicants can work as a CNA for a 120-day grace period while they wait to test and be listed on the registry.

CNAs moving to Maine from another state may be able to transfer their certifications to Maine through reciprocity. In order to be eligible for this process, CNAs should have completed a training course with similar requirements to Maine. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services states that this must be at least 150 hours of training. Those who have received less training than this will need to take Maine’s Bridge Examination. Individuals will need to send in a copy of their certificate of training, proof of successfully passing the prior state’s competency test, proof of completing at least the ninth grade and proof of having worked at least 32 hours per week for at least three of the past five years. Reciprocity is free.

CNAs in Maine will need to renew their certificates every 24 months in order to stay on the registry. The state will send out renewal reminders approximately one to two months before the expiration date. CNAs will receive paperwork to fill out and must affirm that they have worked for pay as a CNA for at least eight hours in the past 24 months. Those who work in a nursing facility will also need to show that they have completed the required in-service education each year. Renewal is free. However, CNAs who have been listed as inactive will need to pay $10 for each year that they were listed as inactive before they will be able to reactivate their licenses.

Links
Maine Department of Health and Human Services
Maine State Board of Nursing
Maine Nurses Aide Registry
Check your CNA certification Here

Contacts
Licensing and Regulatory Services
State House Station #11
41 Anthony Avenue
Augusta Maine 04333
Phone: 1-800-791-4080

Employment Information for ME

Average Salary for CNAs in ME

Maine has a moderate income level of $26,824 per capita. CNAs make a comparable amount at an average of $24,720 per year. While the average hourly wage for CNAs in Maine is $11.89, beginning CNAs may make less than this, and experienced CNAs can expect to be paid more for their knowledge. In addition, these numbers do not include benefits packages that many CNAs have at some facilities, particularly state hospitals.

Job Outlook in ME

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists over 9,200 employment opportunities for CNAs in Maine. CNAs can expect to work in one of the 35 hospitals, 7,020 nursing homes or another type of healthcare facility, such as Alzheimer’s unit, assisted living facility or home health agency. The need for CNAs is expected to explode in upcoming years as many of the 243,000 residents over the age of 65 need increasing amounts of health care.

Employment Opportunities

Top Hospitals in Maine
Hospital NameAddressCityStateZipPhoneWebsite
Maine Medical Center22 Bramhall StreetPortlandME4102207-662-0111Website
Mid Coast Hospital123 Medical Center DriveBrunswickME4011207-729-0181Website
Acadia Hospital268 Stillwater AvenueBangorME4401207-973-6100Website
Aroostook Medical Center140 Academy StreetPresque IsleME4769207-768-4000Website
Blue Hill Memorial Hospital57 Water StreetBlue HillME4614207-374-3400Website
Bridgton Hospital10 Hospital DriveBridgtonME4009207-647-6000Website
Calais Regional Hospital24 Hospital LaneCalaisME4619207-454-7521Website
Cary Medical Center163 Van Buren Road, Suite 1CaribouME4736207-498-3111Website
Central Maine Medical Center300 Main StreetLewistonME4240207-795-0111Website
Charles A. Dean Memorial Hospital364 Pritham AvenueGreenvilleME4441207-695-5200Website
Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center656 State StreetBangorME4401207-941-4000Website
Down East Community Hospital11 Hospital DriveMachiasME4654207-255-3356Website
Eastern Maine Medical Center489 State StreetBangorME4401207-973-7000Website
Franklin Memorial Hospital111 Franklin Health CommonsFarmingtonME4938207-778-6031Website
Houlton Regional Hospital20 Hartford StreetHoultonME4730207-532-9471Website
Inland Hospital200 Kennedy Memorial DriveWatervilleME4901207-861-3000Website
Lincoln Health35 Miles StreetDamariscottaME4543207-563-1234Website
Maine Coast Memorial Hospital50 Union StreetEllsworthME4605207-664-5311Website
Mainegeneral Medical Center35 Medical Center ParkwayAugustaME4330207-872-1000Website
Maine Veterans Affairs Medical Center1 VA CenterAugustaME4330207-623-8411Website

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