Apex Clinical Training Institute · Richmond, Virginia
Virginia Board of Nursing-approved · 68 hours · $925 all-inclusive · Next cohort October 5
The step up that Richmond communities are hiring for
Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield, and Hanover are home to a large share of Virginia’s assisted living and memory care communities, and the job most of them struggle to fill isn’t the CNA role. It’s the registered medication aide who can run a med pass on a 30-resident hall. If you already work as a CNA or PCA in the Richmond area, this credential is usually the difference between the floor rate and the top of the pay scale at the same community.
We serve students from Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, Glen Allen, Midlothian, Mechanicsville, Short Pump, Ashland, and Petersburg.
Who this cohort fits
- CNAs and PCAs already working in a Richmond-area assisted living or memory care community who want to be promoted in place
- Caregivers coming out of home health or hospital CNA roles who want to move into senior living at a higher rate
- Second-shift and weekend workers: the evening cohort runs 6:30 to 9:30 PM so you don’t have to give up hours to train
How the program works for Richmond students
- 40 hours live online classroom over Zoom. Day cohort: Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Evening cohort: Monday to Saturday, 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM.
- 20 hours supervised skills practice in person in Richmond, one instructor per 10 students.
- 8-hour insulin administration module, in person.
- Exam preparation in every unit. You’re eligible to test as a Medication Aide after completing the program.
Prerequisite: an active Virginia CNA, PCA, or Direct Care credential. Full curriculum, instructor bios, and student reviews are on the Virginia program page.
Your clinical days in Richmond
Your in-person skills practice, the insulin module, and the final exam day take place at a Commonwealth Senior Living partner community in the Richmond area. You pick Richmond as your location when you enroll, and we confirm the site, dates, and what to bring before your first in-person day. In-person days run during daytime hours for both cohorts, so evening students should plan for a few daytime days over the six weeks.
Richmond-area employers
If you operate a community in Richmond, Henrico, or Chesterfield, the fastest way to fill med aide openings is to send the CNAs you already trust. Reserve seats in the October cohort, or ask us about a private cohort trained on your own MAR system and policies. Communities that host clinical hours get first access to graduates. Talk to us about an employer cohort.
One fee. Everything in.
$925 covers all 68 hours of tuition, training materials, clinical coordination at the Richmond partner site, your certificate of completion, background check, and instructor access with exam-prep support. Pay in full or split with Klarna. The credential typically lifts hourly pay $3 to $6 over a CNA rate in assisted living, so most students recoup the fee within one to two months of starting the new role.
Richmond Medication Aide FAQ
I work at a community in Henrico or Chesterfield. Do I still come into Richmond?
Yes. In-person days are at our Richmond-area partner site regardless of where you work. It’s typically a few days over six weeks, not a daily commute, because the classroom hours are live online.
Does Apex help Richmond graduates find med aide jobs?
Apex is also a staffing company that places nurses and medication aides in senior living communities. Graduates who want help can join our talent pool through the Job Seekers page.
Can I take the day cohort if I work nights?
Many night-shift CNAs do. The day cohort runs 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday to Friday, which fits after a night shift for some students and not others. The evening cohort exists for everyone else.
How quickly do Richmond seats fill?
In-person classes are capped at 10 students per site, and Richmond is our largest market. Apply as soon as you’ve decided; approval usually takes a few business days.