outside view of Bitterroot College building and sign with snow covered mountains in the background

UM Bitterroot

Non-credit Workforce Training

Program Overview

This training is designed for high school students and adult learners looking to start a career in healthcare professions or applying for college with the goal of a career in healthcare. 

Our course teaches students the information and skills needed to work as a nurse aide in a variety of healthcare venues including long-term, home care, hospice care, and acute care settings. Students are prepared to take the Montana Certified Nurse Aide licensing exam at the conclusion of the training.

Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) provide important basic care services and are a valuable member of the patient care team. CNAs are also known as "nursing aides" or "nursing assistants" and generally work under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) or licensed practical nurses (LPNs). Becoming a CNA is a great entry point to a career in the nursing profession.

Program prepares student to take the .

Program Provider

Program is provided by UM Bitterroot and is approved by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services under its . Susan Robinson, RN, is the state-approved Skills & Clinical Instructor. Gail Simpson, MSN, RN, is the Program Coordinator. 

Program Location

Instruction:

Online and at UM Bitterroot, 103 South 9th Street, Hamilton

Possible Clinical Rotations:

Valley Health and Rehabilitation, 601 N 10th Street, Hamilton

Bitterroot Health, 1200 Westwood Drive, Hamilton

Village Health & Rehabilitation Center, 2651 South Ave W, Missoula 

Partners in Home Care, Missoula & Bitterroot Valley (In-home care)

Riverside Rehabilitation, 1301 E. Broadway Street, Missoula

Providence St. Patrick Hospital, 500 W. Broadway Street, Missoula

The Living Centre, 63 Main Street, Stevensville

Sapphire Lutheran Homes, 501 N. 10th Street, Hamilton

Sapphire Community Health, 316 N. 3rd Street, Hamilton

Community Medical Center, 2827 Fort Missoula Road, Missoula

Community Physician Group, 3800 Eastside Hwy, Stevensville 

 

 

Flexible and Affordable

  • Course Dates: Rolling Enrollment (Adult Cohort), Fall & Spring Semester Cohorts (High School/Home School Students)

    Online Didactic Instruction 

     

    Skills Instruction (2 - Six hour Labs)

    These will be scheduled with the program coordinator after completion of specified didactic modules.

    Clinical Rotations (24 hours, Two 12 hr shifts or Three 8 hr shifts)

    Hours vary based on clinical site. Clinical rotations will be scheduled with program coordinator after completion of all didactic modules and skills labs.

    IMPORTANT: Completion of online course work & clinical hours is required to sit for the exam

  • Program Cost

    $1,500

    Program Fee assistance is available to high school cohort as there is support from each high school to help offset costs. Please call for additional details or talk to your high school counselor.  

    Cost includes tuition, curriculum, handbook, 1 set of scrubs, BLS/CPR fee, and State Licensing exam fee.

Application Requirements

  • 16 to 18 years of age (high school or home school student)

    Public or state-accredited private high school student: Recommendation letter from high school counselor or appropriate academic administrator

    Home school student: Qualifying TABE scores and interview with CNA Program Coordinator – to schedule an interview, call (406) 375-0100 or email danyell.wolff@mso.umt.edu

    18 years of age or over

    High school diploma, high school equivalency diploma (GED or HiSET), OR qualifying Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) scores

    TABE is available free of charge via Literacy Bitterroot. Contact Literacy Bitterroot at (406) 363-2900 or abc123@montana.com for more information and/or to schedule TABE

  • Must have a photo ID and original social security card for proof of identity and exam admittance

    Must have a personal email account which can be accessed daily

    Must demonstrate requisite emotional maturity for placement in a clinical setting

    Must be able to lift 40 to 50 lbs

  • Visit the and under Public Users click on Start Service

    • Cost is $20.00. Pay online with eCheck, credit card, or debit card

    Within 14 days of your payment, print background check results, and attach to program application *Background check expires after 14 days from your payment

  • Record of TB test results (within past year); contact primary care provider or Public Health Department for a current test; Cost varies from site to site.

    Record of Tdap vaccination; contact primary care provider or public high school for vaccination records; contact primary care provider or Public Health Dept if vaccine needed.

    Attach TB test results, Tdap, and vaccination records to program application.

Apply Today

Call (406) 375-0100, drop by our office at 103 S. 9th Street, Hamilton or email Gail Simpson at gail.simpson@mso.umt.edu

High School students, talk with your high school guidance counselor.

Home school students are eligible to participate as well, contact us today.