Health 141: Nurse Assistant Training

Health 141 (HLTH 141) Nurse Assistant Training is approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to provide instruction in basic nursing skills in theory, laboratory, and clinical settings. Upon successful completion of all course requirements, which includes meeting the Health Care Worker Background Check Act criteria, students are eligible to apply for the Competency Evaluation Exam. Students who successfully pass the Competency Evaluation Exam are added to the IDPH Health Care Worker Registry and are eligible to work as Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs).

HLTH 040 Nurse Assistant Competency Sills Assessment is designed to assess the basic nursing skills of previously certified CNAs who have not worked for a minimum of 8 paid hours during the previous twenty-four (24) months. An IDPH-approved competency evaluator determines if the student is competent in the 21 IDPH-mandated performance skills and eligible to re-test. This course is offered in teh fall and spring semesters. Students should register for this course in the Health Professions office (S162). Students must have a Richland student ID number and be listed on the Health Care Worker Registry as a previously certified CNA in order to register for HLTH 040. Please contact the Illinois Department of Public Health at 217-785-5133 to verify CNA status prior to registering for this course.

Career and Technical Education Options

Basic Certificate

Overview

Career as a Nurse Assistant

CNAs provide basic nursing care to patients under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. Excellent opportunities for employment exist in nursing homes, hospitals, home health agencies, clinics, and private residences.

State-Approved Program

Health 141 is in good standing with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). The IDPH requires that all Nurse Assistant Training Programs meet specified curriculum guidelines and that all instructors meet specified qualifications and training.

Performance on the State Competency Evaluation Examination demonstrates that Richland’s HLTH 141 is providing students with the skills and knowledge needed to become capable nurse assistants. In 2010, 92% of Richland students passed the competency evaluation exam on the first attempt.

Program Costs

Including expenses such as tuition and fees, uniform, medical supplies, immunizations, textbook, background check, and competency evaluation exam, the total estimated cost for HLTH 141 is $1,216. Tuition estimates are for in-district students.

Download the breakdown of the approximate cost estimate for Nurse Assistant Training.

Admission Information

Prerequisites

Students must meet certain prerequisites to be eligible for HLTH 141.

Eligible students will:

meet eligibility requirements for admission to the College;
be at least 16 years of age;
and successfully complete the Nurse Assistant reading pre-test.

Registration

HLTH 141 uses a lottery-style registration process. Students must meet with an advisor/counselor in Student Services to verify all course prerequisites are met. During a designated period, the advisor/counselor signs a registration form that lists students' course section preferences for the following semester. Students must submit the signed form to be considered for the lottery. The lottery takes place on a deate specified by Student Services. Please call Student Services at (217) 875-7211, ext. 267 for information on dates.

Enrollment

Due to state standards and instructor availability, HLTH 141 is restricted to 10 students per section. Students who are not the first 10 students registered for the courses are placed on a waitlist. In the event that a seat in the course becomes available, the Health Professions Office calls the first person on the waitlist. Students have 48 hours to respond to the offer until the week before classes when it decreases to 24 hours. Failure to respond within the given time frame results in removal from the waitlist and the next person being contacted.

Placement on the waitlist does not guarantee enrollment in subsequent semesters nor does the waitlist rollover. Students must enter their names in the lottery the subsequent semester.

Requirement Information

Ethical Requirements

The Health Care Worker Background Check Act, as amended in 1998, 2004, 2007, and 2009, requires all students in a Nurse Aide Training Program to submit to a figerprint-based background check before working directly with patients (225 ILCS 46/33).

Prior to the clinical portion of HLTH 141, all students will undergo a fingerprint-based background check. A student with a positive background check containing disqualifying convictions as defined by state law will not be allowed to enter the clinical portion of this course, unless a waiver granted by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is documented on the Health Care Worker Registry. Students who are not eligible to perform the clinical portion will not be able to successfully complete the class and will be administratively dropped from the course.

Please refer to http://www.idph.state.il.us/nar/WAIVER_APPLICATION_Facts.pdf for more information about waivers. Students who suspect they may have a disqualifying conviction on record should complete the waiver application process before registering for the course.

Health and Safety Requirements

Agreements with our clinical partners require students submit documentation of specified immunizations. Failure to comply for any reason may result in dismissal from the program.

Students are required to complete a two-step tuberculosis screening and submit a waiver/consent of the Flu Vaccine and Hepatitis B Vaccine. Record of immunizations and waiver/consent forms must be submitted to the Health Professions office by the given deadline. Students should check with their county health department or family physician for available dates and costs.

Pre-existing health conditions that may restrict a student's class/lab/clinical performance require a physician-signed medical release.

Course Requirements

Students are required to attend a minimum of 80 theory/lab practice hours and a minimum of 40 clinical hours to meet both State and course requirements. Failure to complete the minimum theory and clinical requirements will result in dismissal from the course. In addition, there is State-mandated intensive training all students must complete. For example, students must complete 12 hours of training in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias; failure to complete 12 hours will result in failure of the course.

Students must maintain a 76% or above, meet the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) training requirements and pass all 21 IDPH-mandated performance skills in order to successfully complete the course. Students will have three attempts to pass the 21 IDPH-mandated performance skills. If the student does not pass on the third attempt, the student will be administratively dropped from the course.

Various performance skill tasks presented in the class may require "hands-on" experiences in the laboratory and clinical setting. Students must participate in these activities in order to learn the identified nurse aide training performance skill tasks.

Examination and Certification

Students must successfully complete HLTH 141 with a “C” or better and pay the appropriate fee to be eligible to take the IDPH Competency Evaluation exam. Upon passing the competency exam, students will be added to the IDPH Health Care Worker Registry and will be eligible to work as a certified nurse assistant.

Full-time Faculty

Miller, Judy

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