Nurse Aide Trainee

Nurse Aide Trainee

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) has a career opportunity within the Healthcare Facilities Division/MMHNCC Nurse Aide Trainee: This position provides training for staff to become a CNA. A CNA provides personal care to male and female residents with mental health disorders. Following policies and procedures to assure basic physical needs and promote self-esteem responsibilities include: 1) assisting the residents with basic hygiene such as bathing, oral hygiene, and dressing; 2) performing health related tasks such as taking and recording vital signs, collecting specimens, and assisting in emergency situations; and 3) transports the residents to appointments assisting as needed.

Why Join DPHHS Our mission at DPHHS is serving Montanans in their communities to improve health, safety, well-being, and empower independence. By joining our department, you will have the opportunity to perform meaningful work in public service to our state and its residents. The State of Montana's comprehensive benefits package includes healthcare coverage, retirement plans, paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, work/life balance, and eligibility to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. In addition, DPHHS is the largest state agency with a wide range of advancement opportunities whether you are joining the workforce or have several years of experience.

Below is the 3 1/2-week class schedule for Monday, July 6th through Thursday, July 30th. This will be a course of study that will require homework and participation in class, and you will be required to read 3 chapters from the textbook prior to the first class. You will receive your textbook when you come in for your tuberculosis (PPD) test. Your 6 months probationary period will end on 1/6/2027.

Class Schedule

• Week 1: July 6 - 9 / 0800 - 1630
• Week 2: July 13 - 16 / 0800 - 1630
• Week 3: July 20 - View phone number on click.appcast.io
• Week 4: July 27 - 29 / 0600 - 1430
• July 30 / Testing - Time TBD

In Montana, individuals who have completed a state-approved nurse aide training program are permitted up to three attempts to pass both the knowledge and skills portions of the CNA exam. These attempts must occur within six months from the date of training completion. If a candidate fails to pass both components within this timeframe, they are required to retake the Nurse Aide Trainee course again. Upon successful completion of the course and the CNA exam the applicants wage will go up to $26.13 an hour.

Physical and Environmental Demands: Physical activities including standing, lifting, bending, pushing, pulling, and twisting. Ability to lift up to 50 pounds. Ability to deal appropriately with residents that may be verbally and physically aggressive.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Behaviors): Required for the first day of work:

• Ability to communicate information both orally and in writing.
• Ability to make observations and report/record them accurately.
• Ability to follow oral and written instruction explicitly.
• Develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, maintaining them over time.
• Basic knowledge of personal hygiene.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience): High school diploma or the equivalent. Two years of job-related experience working with people in a healthcare setting or group home. Other combinations of related education and experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

How to Apply To be considered for a DPHHS position, submit the following required documents with your application on the State of Montana Careers website. When submitting the required documents, you must check the "relevant document" box to ensure your attachments are uploaded correctly to your application for this position. Successful applicants will be subject to background checks relevant to the position and must pass reference checks before an offer will be extended. DPHHS is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For a copy of the full job description or if you need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, contact DPHHS Human Resources listed below.

Employees who successfully complete the CNA course, agree to be employed with MMHNCC for a minimum of one hundred eighty (180) days. Resignation from MMHNCC employment proper to one hundred eighty (180) days of employment will require the employee to reimburse MMHNCC the cost of the CNA class and exam in the amount of $1,000.00.

Applicant Pool Statement: If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection.

Training Assignment: This agency may use a training assignment. Employees in training assignments may be paid below the base pay established by the agency pay rules. Conditions of the training assignment will be stated in writing at the time of hire.

Salary: $21.55-21.55 Hourly

Telework Eligibility: Not Telework Eligible

Benefits Package Eligibility: Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan

Number of Openings: 6

Employee Status: Regular

Schedule: Full-Time

Job Type: Standard

Shift: Day Job

Travel: Yes, 5 % of the Time

Primary Location: Lewistown

Agency: Department of Public Health & Human Services

Union: Montana Federation of Public Employees

Posting Date: May 14, 2026, 7:28:23 PM

Closing Date (based on your computer's timezone): Jun 20, 2026, 5:59:00 AM

Required Application Materials: Resume, References

Contact Name: Lori Jones | Contact Email: View email address on click.appcast.io | Contact Phone: View phone number on click.appcast.io