Top 10 Geriatric Nursing Assistant Certifications

Certifications are extremely important for a geriatric nursing assistant in the job market. Certifications demonstrate that an individual has achieved a certain level of knowledge and skill, which is essential for providing quality care to elderly patients. In addition, employers often prefer to hire individuals who have been certified by an accredited organization as this demonstrates a commitment to professionalism and excellence. Finally, certifications can open up new career opportunities for geriatric nursing assistants by demonstrating their ability to provide care that meets the highest standards.

The purpose of this article is to review top certifications for Geriatric Nursing Assistants and explain how they can contribute to a successful career in the field.

What are Geriatric Nursing Assistant Certifications?

Geriatric nursing assistant certification is a professional credential that recognizes individuals who have obtained specialized training and experience in providing care to elderly or geriatric patients. This certification is offered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and requires applicants to meet certain educational, work experience, and examination requirements.

This certification can help individuals seeking employment as a geriatric nursing assistant demonstrate their expertise in the field and increase their chances of being hired. It can also open up opportunities for advancement within a nursing facility or hospital by providing proof of competency in caring for elderly patients.

The geriatric nursing assistant certification program provides comprehensive education on topics such as patient safety, nutrition, pharmacology, mental health care, communication techniques, and cultural sensitivity when working with older adults. This type of knowledge is essential for providing safe, effective care to elderly patients. In addition to the theoretical aspects of geriatrics, this program also offers hands-on clinical practice in the form of supervised internships or externships at local long-term care facilities so that students can gain real-world experience before entering the workforce.

By obtaining this credential, individuals demonstrate their commitment to providing quality care to elderly patients and can be more competitive when applying for jobs in this field. Additionally, employers may view holders of this certification as having a higher level of expertise than non-certified workers which may lead to better pay and more job security.

Pro Tip: When considering geriatric nursing assistant certification, make sure to look for programs that provide hands-on training with elderly patients. This will give you an opportunity to gain practical experience and better prepare you for a career in this field.

Related: What does a Geriatric Nursing Assistant do?

Top 10 Geriatric Nursing Assistant Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Geriatric Nursing Assistants today.

1. Certified Geriatric Nursing Assistant (CGNA)

A Certified Geriatric Nursing Assistant (CGNA) is an individual who has been certified by the American Association of Nurse Assistants (AANA) to provide care for elderly patients in a variety of settings. The CGNA certification requires successful completion of a training program, which typically takes between six and eight weeks to complete. After completing the program, individuals must pass both a written and practical exam administered by the AANA in order to receive their certification.

The cost of becoming a CGNA varies depending on the institution offering the training program. Most programs range from $1000-$2000, including tuition, books and other materials. Additionally, there may be fees associated with taking the exams required for certification.

Once certified, CNAs are required to renew their certifications every two years by completing continuing education courses or retaking the written and practical exams.

2. Certified Gerontological Nursing Assistant (CGNA)

Certified Gerontological Nursing Assistant (CGNA) is a professional certification awarded by the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB). It is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of competency in providing care for elderly and disabled persons. The CGNA certification demonstrates a commitment to excellence in geriatric nursing practice and provides recognition of expertise in the field.

It typically takes about 3-6 months to complete the requirements for certification. In order to be eligible for certification, applicants must have at least one year of full-time experience as a nurse assistant or aide working with elderly or disabled persons in a long term care setting. Applicants must also pass an exam administered by NAB that tests their knowledge and skills related to geriatric nursing practice.

The cost of obtaining the CGNA certification varies depending on the individual's circumstances. Generally, the cost includes an application fee, exam fee, and any additional fees associated with obtaining continuing education credits.

3. Certified Nursing Assistant in Geriatrics (CNA-G)

A Certified Nursing Assistant in Geriatrics (CNA-G) is a professional certification for nursing assistants who specialize in providing care to elderly and frail patients. This certification is designed to recognize the specialized knowledge and skills of those who work with elderly patients, as well as their commitment to providing quality care.

To become a CNA-G, you must have at least one year of experience working as a certified nursing assistant in geriatrics or long-term care. You must also complete an approved training program from an accredited school or institution. The training program must include at least 75 hours of classroom instruction and 16 hours of supervised clinical practice.

Once you have completed your training, you must pass the CNA-G exam administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). The exam consists of multiple choice questions related to geriatric nursing topics such as nutrition, safety and mobility, communication techniques, and more.

The cost to take the CNA-G exam varies depending on the state where you are taking it. Generally, it costs between $100-$200. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking the exam such as registration fees or materials fees.

Overall, becoming a CNA-G can take anywhere from 3 months up to 1 year depending on your experience level and how quickly you complete your training program.

4. Certified Medication Aide in Geriatrics (CMA-G)

Certified Medication Aide in Geriatrics (CMA-G) is a certification program for those who wish to work in geriatric care. The CMA-G certification is designed to help healthcare professionals provide safe and effective medication administration to elderly patients. It is an advanced level of training that focuses on the unique needs of older adults, such as managing multiple medications, recognizing signs of adverse reactions, and understanding the impact of aging on drug metabolism.

The CMA-G certification requires completion of a course that typically takes between 6 and 12 months to complete. The course includes classroom instruction, clinical practice, and a final exam. Upon successful completion of the course, students are eligible to sit for the CMA-G exam administered by the National Council of Certified Medication Aides (NCCMA).

To become certified as a CMA-G, applicants must first meet certain eligibility requirements including completing an approved training program with at least 40 hours of instruction and passing the NCCMA exam with a score of 80% or higher. Additionally, applicants must have completed at least one year of experience working with elderly patients under direct supervision from a licensed healthcare professional.

The cost for becoming certified as a CMA-G varies depending on the institution offering the training program; however, it typically ranges from $500-$1,000 USD.

5. Certified Home Health Aide in Geriatrics (CHHA-G)

Certified Home Health Aide in Geriatrics (CHHA-G) is a certification program designed to provide home health aides with the knowledge and skills necessary to care for elderly individuals in their homes. The CHHA-G certification is offered through the National Association of Home Care & Hospice (NAHC).

The CHHA-G certification requires completion of an approved training program, which typically takes between 75 and 120 hours. Training includes topics such as geriatric care, safety and emergency procedures, nutrition, communication, and infection control. After completing the training program, applicants must pass a written examination in order to earn their certification.

In order to become certified as a CHHA-G, applicants must first complete an approved training program. There are many organizations that offer these programs both online and in person; however, it is important to ensure that the program meets NAHC standards before enrolling. Once the training has been completed, applicants can register for the written exam by visiting the NAHC website.

The cost of becoming a CHHA-G varies depending on the organization offering the training program; however, most programs range from $500-$1000. Additionally, there is a fee associated with registering for and taking the written exam ($100).

6. Advanced Certified Nursing Assistant in Geriatrics (ACNA-G)

Advanced Certified Nursing Assistant in Geriatrics (ACNA-G) is a certification program for nursing assistants who wish to specialize in the care of elderly patients. It is offered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and provides specialized training and skills to help nursing assistants provide better care for geriatric patients. The certification requires successful completion of an approved ACNA-G course, which typically takes about 40 hours to complete.

In order to become an ACNA-G, individuals must have a current state nursing assistant certification or license, be at least 18 years old, and have at least one year of experience working as a nursing assistant in a long-term care setting. Once these requirements are met, individuals can take an approved ACNA-G course either online or through their local community college or technical school.

The cost of the course varies depending on the provider but usually ranges from $200-$400. After completing the course, individuals must pass a written exam administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing in order to receive their certification. Once certified, ACNA-Gs are able to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in providing quality care for geriatric patients and may be eligible for higher wages and other job opportunities related to geriatric care.

7. Advanced Home Health Aide in Geriatrics (AHHA-G)

Advanced Home Health Aide in Geriatrics (AHHA-G) is a certification program designed to provide home health aides with the knowledge and skills necessary to care for elderly patients. The program is offered by the National Association of Home Care & Hospice (NAHC). It focuses on providing quality care to seniors, including those with chronic conditions, disabilities, or cognitive impairments.

The AHHA-G certification requires applicants to complete an online course and pass an exam. The online course consists of 12 modules covering topics such as safety, nutrition, medication management, communication, and end-of-life care. Each module includes video lectures, readings, quizzes and practice tests. Upon successful completion of the course and passing the exam, applicants will receive the AHHA-G certification.

The cost of the AHHA-G certification varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it costs around $400 for the course materials and exam fee. It typically takes about 6 months to complete the program from start to finish.

To get started with your AHHA-G certification, you must first register for the program through NAHC’s website. Once registered, you can begin taking the online course at your own pace. After completing all 12 modules and passing the final exam, you will receive your AHHA-G certification from NAHC.

8. Long Term Care Nurse Aide Certification Program (LTCNACP)

Long Term Care Nurse Aide Certification Program (LTCNACP) is a program that provides nurse aides with the skills and knowledge necessary to provide quality care for residents in long-term care facilities. The program is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). It includes both classroom and clinical training, as well as an examination.

The program typically takes about 6 months to complete, depending on the state’s requirements. To get certified, individuals must first complete an approved nurse aide training program and pass the NCSBN exam. After passing the exam, they will receive their LTCNACP certification.

The cost of the program varies depending on the state, but typically ranges from $400-$600 for tuition and fees associated with taking the exam.

9. National Council of State Boards of Nursing’s Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation Program (NACEP)

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing’s Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation Program (NACEP) is a program designed to evaluate the competency of nurse aides in providing quality care. NACEP provides a standardized evaluation process that is used by all state boards of nursing to assess the knowledge and skills of nurse aides. The program includes an examination, which consists of both written and practical components, that evaluates the nurse aide's ability to provide safe and effective care.

To get NACEP certified, individuals must take and pass the NACEP Examination. The exam can be taken at any approved testing facility or online through Pearson VUE. It typically takes about three hours to complete the entire exam. The cost for taking the exam varies depending on where it is taken, but generally ranges from $90-$120.

In addition to passing the exam, individuals must also meet certain eligibility requirements in order to be certified as a nurse aide through NACEP. These requirements include being at least 18 years old, having completed an approved nurse aide training program, and having passed a criminal background check. Once these requirements are met, individuals can apply for certification through their state board of nursing.

Overall, NACEP provides an important tool for evaluating the competency of nurse aides in providing quality care and ensuring patient safety.

10. National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards’ Certified Medication Technician Exam (CMTE)

The National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards’ Certified Medication Technician Exam (CMTE) is a certification exam that assesses the knowledge and skills of medication technicians in long-term care settings. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and covers topics such as medication administration, medical terminology, pharmacology, and patient safety.

To be eligible to take the CMTE, applicants must have successfully completed an approved medication technician training program and have at least six months of experience in a long-term care setting. Applicants must also provide proof of their professional credentials, including a valid license or certification from their state board.

The CMTE takes about two hours to complete and is available online or through paper-based testing centers. The cost for the exam is $125 for members of NALCTAB and $175 for non-members. Upon successful completion of the exam, applicants will receive a certificate indicating that they are certified as a medication technician in long-term care settings.

Do You Really Need a Geriatric Nursing Assistant Certificate?

Yes, a Geriatric Nursing Assistant Certificate is important for those who are interested in working with elderly individuals. This certificate is designed to provide the necessary skills and knowledge to work safely and effectively with elderly patients in a variety of healthcare settings. The certification also provides an opportunity for nurses to gain additional experience and knowledge that can help them advance their careers as they move up the ranks in their chosen field.

The certificate program typically covers topics such as geriatric assessment, safety, nutrition, communication, medication management and end-of-life care. It also provides instruction on how to respond to certain medical emergencies that may arise while caring for elderly patients. This type of training gives nurses the confidence they need to provide quality care for their patients.

In addition, having this certification can be beneficial when seeking employment in nursing homes or other specialized care facilities that specialize in providing care for elderly individuals. Employers often look favorably upon applicants who have completed this type of training because it demonstrates a commitment to providing quality care and shows that they are knowledgeable about the unique needs of their elderly patients.

Overall, having a Geriatric Nursing Assistant Certificate is an important step towards advancing your career as a nurse working with elderly individuals. It will provide you with the necessary skills and knowledge needed to work safely and effectively with these special patients while also demonstrating your commitment to providing quality care for them.

Related: Geriatric Nursing Assistant Resume Examples

FAQs About Geriatric Nursing Assistant Certifications

1. What qualifications do I need to become a Geriatric Nursing Assistant?

Answer: To become a Geriatric Nursing Assistant, you must have a high school diploma or GED and complete an accredited nursing assistant program. You may also need to pass a criminal background check and complete any other requirements set by the state in which you plan to work.

2. How long does it take to get certified as a Geriatric Nursing Assistant?

Answer: It typically takes between 4-12 weeks of classroom instruction and clinical practice to complete the training necessary for certification as a Geriatric Nursing Assistant.

3. Is there an exam I have to take to become certified?

Answer: Yes, once you have completed your training program, you will need to pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam in order to be officially certified as a Geriatric Nursing Assistant.

4. Are there any continuing education requirements for Geriatric Nursing Assistants?

Answer: Yes, most states require that Geriatric Nursing Assistants maintain their certification by completing continuing education courses on a regular basis.

5. How much does it cost to get certified as a Geriatric Nursing Assistant?

Answer: The cost of certification varies depending on the state in which you are seeking certification; however, typically costs range from $200 - $400 USD including fees for both the training program and the NNAAP exam.