Pittsburgh has fewer dedicated Home Health Aide courses than some cities, so CNA training is usually the more practical route into home care.
Pennsylvania-approved nurse aide programs combine classroom, laboratory, and supervised clinical training, and Pittsburgh students can choose between traditional college programs and employer-sponsored options where training may be free.
1 Community College of Allegheny County
CCAC offers a Pennsylvania-approved Nurse Aide Training Program covering resident rights, infection control, communication, basic body systems, personal care, nutrition, emergency procedures, rehabilitation, and clinical patient care.
Program Length
The program contains 168 hours and takes 24 class days.
The first 14 days focus on theory and skills, followed by 10 days of clinical training.
Cost
The current program cost is $2,399, including the workbook, liability insurance, and textbook rental.
Students separately purchase scrubs, white shoes, a watch, and the required physical examination.
Admission Requirements
Applicants need a high school diploma or GED, Pennsylvania residency documentation, health clearance, criminal background checks, and a qualifying TABE assessment.
Attendance at a Nurse Aide information session is also required.
What Makes This Program Worth Considering?
CCAC offers one of Pittsburgh’s most structured CNA programs, with substantially more training than Pennsylvania’s minimum requirement.
Funding may also be available through programs such as KEYS and PA CareerLink for qualifying students.
Address: 808 Ridge Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, with training also offered at other CCAC locations.
2 Pittsburgh Job Corps Center
Pittsburgh Job Corps offers Certified Nurse Assistant training that prepares students for Pennsylvania certification and employment in nursing homes, hospitals, senior communities, clinics, and home health agencies.
Students also earn BLS for Healthcare Providers and bloodborne-pathogens credentials.
Program Length
The CNA curriculum itself contains approximately 147.5 hours, although Job Corps is a broader residential career-training program and students typically spend several months completing education and career requirements.
Cost
Training is free for students who qualify for Job Corps.
Eligible students can also receive housing, meals, basic medical services, educational materials, and other support while enrolled.
Admission Requirements
Job Corps primarily serves qualifying young adults ages 16 through 24.
Students must meet federal eligibility requirements and complete the center’s career preparation process before entering CNA training.
A high school diploma or equivalent is required for the trade, but students may be able to earn it through Job Corps.
What Makes This Program Worth Considering?
For an eligible young adult, Job Corps can eliminate nearly every major education expense.
It is particularly useful for someone who needs more than a short CNA class and would benefit from housing, career support, academic assistance, and additional credentials.
Address: 7175 Highland Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
3 Training & Education Fund Nurse Aide Training Center
The Training & Education Fund operates a Pennsylvania-approved Nurse Aide Training Center designed to move residents into long-term care and healthcare jobs.
Training combines classroom instruction, laboratory work, and supervised clinical experience.
Program Length
The program contains 110 hours.
Courses use a part-time schedule, making the program easier to combine with work or family responsibilities.
Cost
The program is supported by workforce development funding and employer partnerships, so qualifying participants may receive training without paying typical private school tuition.
Students should confirm funding eligibility for the current cohort before enrolling.
Admission Requirements
Applicants complete an enrollment and eligibility process and must satisfy Pennsylvania requirements for nurse aide training, including background and clinical requirements.
What Makes This Program Worth Considering?
The program is built around removing common barriers to CNA training.
Students can receive help with issues such as transportation, childcare, scheduling, and employment, and job-placement assistance is available after certification.
Address: 1500 Ardmore Boulevard, Suite 404, Pittsburgh, PA 15221
4 East End Health & Rehab Center
East End Health & Rehab operates a Pennsylvania-approved Nurse Aide Training Program within a skilled nursing facility.
Students receive hands-on preparation in resident care, hygiene, transfers, safety, infection prevention, communication, vital signs, and activities of daily living.
Program Length
The approved program contains 138 hours of classroom, skills, and clinical education and can generally be completed in about 4 to 5 weeks when an accelerated cohort is offered.
Cost
East End does not publish a standard self-pay tuition price for current cohorts.
Facility-based nurse aide classes may be connected to employment or workforce recruitment, so prospective students should ask whether the current class is employer-paid before considering a private CNA school.
Admission Requirements
Students must meet Pennsylvania nurse aide eligibility requirements and the facility’s employment and clinical standards.
Background screening, health clearance, TB testing, and other documentation may be required.
What Makes This Program Worth Considering?
Because training takes place inside a skilled nursing facility, students gain experience in the same environment where many new CNAs begin working.
It can be especially attractive when a sponsored or employee-training cohort is available.
Address: 745 N. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
5 Presbyterian SeniorCare Network
Presbyterian SeniorCare Network offers Pennsylvania-approved nurse aide training at its Pittsburgh-area senior-care communities.
Training combines classroom education, skills practice, and supervised clinical work while preparing participants for the Pennsylvania CNA competency examination.
Program Length
The approved program comprises approximately 139.5 hours and can be completed in about 4 weeks on an accelerated schedule.
Cost
Employer-sponsored cohorts can be completed for $0 tuition, with training and certification-related costs covered by the employer.
Some programs also hire participants as trainees, allowing them to earn money while completing CNA preparation.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must be accepted into the trainee or employment program and meet Pennsylvania background, health, age, and clinical requirements.
Availability depends on current hiring needs and training cohorts.
What Makes This Program Worth Considering?
This is one of the better Pittsburgh-area options for students who want to avoid paying thousands of dollars upfront.
Employer-sponsored training can combine free CNA education, paid work experience, certification preparation, and a direct pathway into a healthcare job.
Address: 1215 Hulton Road, Oakmont, PA 15139
Schools Summary Table
Read the full guide: How to Become a Home Health Aide
