Certified Nursing Assistant

Are you a CNA with a passion for helping people live their best life?

Come work with us to assist people living with intellectual disabilities in acquiring the personal skills needed to reach their highest potential Our team at Central Wisconsin Center (CWC) takes great pride in the care we provide, which includes excellent short-term and long-term residential services.This job application is for those who are already CNA Certified.

Our workers love what they do. But don't take our word for it. Hear from our employees.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) positions available and the classification/position level will be determined based on the qualifications listed below as well as facility needs. CWC is located at 317 Knutson Drive on the north side of Madison.

• Starting pay is $25.82 or $27.22 per hour, plus earn a $2,000 sign-on bonus and night/weekend differentials
• Access to an amazing benefits package, including:
• 3.5 weeks of vacation, 9 paid holidays and ample sick time.
• Top rated health plan options starting at $45/month for single plans and $111/month for family plans, after 2 months of state service.
• Exceptional pension plan with a 7.2% employer match in 2026 with lifetime retirement payment. Plus, a tax advantaged supplemental retirement savings plan which allows you to save money directly from your paycheck for retirement. Use this Total Rewards Calculator to see the total value of our competitive benefits package
• Several flex spending accounts: medical, dependent care, commuter, parking and High Deductible Health Savings.
• Well Wisconsin Wellness Program
• A free and confidential employee assistance program that offers employees and their immediate family dependents a variety of tools, resources, and professional consultation services to support their health, goals, and overall well-being.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program employer.
• CWC also has a 24/7 fitness center, free parking, and is on the Madison Metro bus route.

As a CNA at CWC, you will complete 5 weeks of paid orientation. After orientation, CNAs are assigned to available day, evening, night or rotating shifts. Flexible scheduling is available. These positions require the ability to work scheduled hours as needed (day, evening, night, weekends, and holidays), including overtime as needed with shifts up to 15.5 hours long. Full-time and part-time positions are available.

As a Resident Care Technician (RCT)-Objective, you provide care to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD); help new residents adjust to their living area; observe and report behavioral, mental, and physical changes in residents; record and summarize information in daily logs, clinical records, etc.; and work cooperatively with others to promote a positive living environment.

As an RCT-Advanced - Intensive Treatment Program (ITP), you are responsible for short term care and support to individuals with I/DD who also engage in challenging behaviors. In addition to assisting with activities of daily living and active treatment, you must demonstrate the ability to implement complex treatment plans that promote safety, skill development, and challenging behavior reduction.

As an RCT-Advanced - Medical Short Term Care Unit (MSTCU), you are responsible for the care of individuals with I/DD who also have medically complexities, post-surgical and/or rehabilitative needs. In addition to assisting the Activities of Daily Living, active treatment and achievement of individualized goals for the admission, you must demonstrate the ability to adapt to a changing resident population and level of medical acuity and assignment on short notice.

Both RCT-Advanced positions incorporate advanced knowledge of Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with I/DD unique needs in the plan of care. The RCT-Advanced is responsible to adhere to I/DD regulations pertaining to, but not limited to individual protections, active treatment services, individual behavior programs, health care services, and dietary services.

Starting pay is between $25.82 and $29.01/hour for Objective OR $27.22 and $30.63/hour for Advanced based on state seniority. Additional increases are based on years of service in the chart below.

Years of State ServiceObjectiveAdvanced

0 $25.82 $27.22

1 $26.35 $27.78

2 $26.88 $28.35

3 $27.41 $28.93

5 $27.94 $29.49

10 $28.47 $30.06

15 $29.01 $30.63

• $.80/hour night differential and $.80/hour weekend differential applies to worked shifts.
• $2,000 sign-on bonus applies to those with no prior state service in the last five years; who stay with CWC in the position until completing probation. Bonus will be split, $1,000 upon hire and $1,000 after completing probation.
• A 12-month probationary period is required. The pay schedule and range for an RCT-Objective is 06/11. The pay schedule and range for an RCT-Advanced is 06/12.
• Pay for current or former state employees will be set based on the rule that apply to compensation for the applicable transaction.

All applicants who may be appointed to this position will be required to allow DHS to conduct a screening including a background check to determine whether the circumstances of any conviction may be related to the job being filled, TB test, and a physical screening which includes verifying your ability to lift up to 55 lbs., carry, bend, kneel, crawl, twist, and balance.

DHS does not sponsor work visas for this position, thus, in compliance with federal law, selected candidates will be required to verify eligibility to work in the United States by completing the required I-9 form upon hire.

Minimally qualified applicants will have all of the following:

• Currently hold CNA certification OR have passed the CNA competency exam within the last two months and are waiting for your name to be placed on the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry. To check your status on the registry, please see
• Must be 18 years of age upon hire.
• Attend the required full-time orientation, Monday-Friday during the first 5 weeks of employment.
• Work nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed including staying for the next shift to maintain facility staffing requirements.
• Read, comprehend, and interpret charts/diagrams and policies/procedures.
• Work effectively as a member of a team and interact with others.

Well-qualified applicants will also have one or both of the following:

• Experience providing direct support services to individuals with intellectual disabilities with mental or behavioral disorders.

Applying is easy Click "Apply for Job" to start your application process. Sign in to your account or create an account before applying for the job. Follow the steps outlined in the application process and submit your application.

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• Current or former permanent, classified, state employees must complete the online application process to be considered.
• If viewing through an external site, please apply directly at Wisc.Jobs.
• For technical assistance and general information, please see Frequently Asked Questions. For questions about the position, to request a copy of the full position description, or for other employment inquiries, please contact

DHS is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. Veterans are encouraged to apply. For complete information on Veterans' hiring programs with the WI Department of Veteran's Affairs, click here.

Applications will be accepted until positions have been filled.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to allow ample time to finalize their applications keeping in mind that technical assistance is only available Monday through Friday 7:45 am – 4:30 pm.