Rev. 7.3.2014
NURSING ASSISTANT PROGRAM
Information Packet
Revised February 2014
6000 West Olive Avenue
Glendale, AZ 85302
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NURSING ASSISTANT PROGRAM (NUR158) INFORMATION
COURSE INFORMATION:
Upon satisfactory completion of the Nursing Assistant program course (NUR158), the student is eligible to receive a Certificate of Completion from the college. Each student must apply for the Certificate of Completion by the specificdate of graduation checkout, approximately 6-‐8 weeks before the end of the program (Refer to the Course Schedule).
PREREQUISITES:
The following prerequisites are required for admission into the Nursing Assistant program course:• College Placement Exam indicating eligibility for or exemption from CRE101, or completion of RDG 091or higher with a C or
better grade or HESI-‐A2 English Composite score of 75% or higher.
OCCUPATIONAL INFORMATION:
Nursing Assistants perform routine tasks in the general care of hospital, clinic, and nursing home patients. They work directly under the supervision of registered and practical nurses. Their role in performing basic patient care assists the licensed staff in providing quality nursing to the patient. The Nursing Assistant occupation is one of a series of possible steps on a career ladder in the health care field. Nursing Assistants are an important member of a health care team. Typical patient-‐care duties include bathing and dressing patients, helping with personal hygiene, taking vital signs, answering call lights,transporting patients, servicing and collecting food trays, and feeding patients.
CERTIFICATION INFORMATION:
The Maricopa Community Colleges offer a comprehensive Nursing Assistant Course that is approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing. Upon satisfactory completion of this course, the student is eligible to take the Arizona State Board of Nursing certifying exam, become a Certified Nursing Assistant, and choose to go directly to work or continueto pursue education opportunities in other health care careers.
Information on the Arizona State Board of Nursing application process is available at http://www.azbn.gov. The certifying exam is administered by state certified evaluators and students may take the exam scheduled at nearby testing centers. The fee for this exam is $85 (subject to change) and is payable to the state evaluators.
The Arizona State Board of Nursing office is located at 4707 North 7th Street, Suite 200, Phoenix, Arizona, 85014-‐3653. Phone 602-‐
771-‐7800, FAX 602-‐771-‐7888. https://www.azbn.gov
COST ESTIMATE FOR THE NURSING ASSISTANT PROGRAM:
*Registration Fee/Course Fee* 50.00
NUR158 Nursing Assistant Course (6 credits x $84.00; Maricopa County Resident) 504.00
Fingerprinting Card Application fee Cost will vary 65.00
Textbooks Cost will vary 150.00
Background Check/Urine Drug Screen Cost will vary 110.00
Uniform and Clinical Supplies Cost will vary 80.00
Physical Exam and Immunizations Cost will vary 225.00
Total Estimated Cost of Nursing Assistant Program $1,136.00
*Fees are subject to change by the Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District. All costs quoted are
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ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY
: The Maricopa Community Colleges Nursing Assistant Program supports a Zero Tolerance Policy for the following behaviors:• Intentionally or recklessly causing physical harm to any person on the campus or at a clinical site, or intentionally or
recklessly causing reasonable apprehension of such harm.
• Unauthorized use or possession of any weapon or explosive device on the campus or at a clinical site.
• Unauthorized use, distribution, or possession for purposes of distribution of any controlled substance or illegal drug on the
campus or at a clinical site.
Nursing assistant student engaging in this misconduct is subject to immediate dismissal from nursing classes and disciplinary
action as described in the Student Handbook of the college.
HEALTH DECLARATION
: It is essential that nursing assistant students be able to perform a number of physical activities in theclinical portion of the program. At a minimum, students will be required to lift patients, stand for several hours at a time and perform bending activities. Students who have a chronic illness or condition must be maintained on current treatment and be able to implement direct patient care. The clinical experience also places students under considerable mental and emotional stress as they undertake responsibilities and duties impacting patients’ lives. Students must be able to demonstrate rational and appropriate behavior under stressful conditions. Individuals should give careful consideration to the mental and physical
demands of the program prior to making application.
All students placed in the nursing assistant program must provide documentation of compliance of all health and safety requirements required to protect patient safety. Only students providing documentation of compliance are permitted to enroll
in NUR 158. Students will meet these requirements by providing the Health/Safety Requirements Documentation Checklist and the signed Health Declaration Form, with all documentation attached, as directed.
FINGERPRINTING REQUIREMENT
: Fingerprint clearance is required for enrollment in nursing courses. Fingerprint clearance is required to work and care for children, the elderly, and any vulnerable adult. If there is a positive criminal history, a fingerprint clearance may be denied. The Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card cannot expire during the nursing assistant program. The Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card required for the nursing assistant program will not meet the requirementsfor certification through the Arizona State Board of Nursing.
DRUG SCREENING
: All students are required to submit to a urine drug screening laboratory test. Students must complete theurine drug screening under the program account number, within the specified timeframe, and according to directions given at the time of notification to meet this requirement. Only students meeting the drug screening requirement and receiving negative drug screens, as reported by the Medical Review Officer (MRO), will be permitted to maintain enrollment in nursing courses.
WAIVER OF LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION GUARANTEE:
Admission or graduation from the Nursing assistant program does not guarantee obtaining a license or certificate to practice nursing. Licensure and certification requirements and the subsequent procedures are the exclusive right and responsibility of the Arizona State Board of Nursing. Students must satisfy the requirements of the Nurse Practice Act: Statutes, Rules and Regulations, independently of any college or school requirements for graduation.According to A.R.S. § 32-‐1646 (B), an applicant for nursing assistant program certification is not eligible for certification if the applicant has had any felony convictions and has not received an absolute discharge from the sentences for all felony convictions. The absolute discharge from the sentence for all felony convictions must be received five (5) or more years before submitting this application. If you cannot prove that the absolute discharge date is five or more years, the Board will notify you that you do not meet the requirements for certification.
All nursing assistant program applicants for certification will be fingerprinted to permit the Department of Public Safety to obtain state and federal criminal history information. All applicants with a positive history are investigated. If there is any question about eligibility for licensure or certification, contact the nursing education consultant at the Arizona State Board of Nursing (602-‐771-‐7800).
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APPLICATION/ADMISSION PROCESS
Students who wish to apply for admission to the Nursing Assistant Program (NUR 158) should carefully review all admission
requirements before application to ensure that all elements have been met. It is important to begin the process of acquiring necessary documentation for the program well in advance of the time you apply. Please read the following items carefully to prepare for
application.
INFORMATION SESSIONS:
To apply for admission into the Nursing Assistant Program, students are required to attend a Nursing Assistant Program Information Session. For a schedule of sessions, see http://www.gccaz.edu/nursing/na/index.htm. Students who have not attended a Nursing Assistant Program Information Session will not be permitted to submit an application to the program. These Information Sessions will provide detailed information about the role of the Nurse Assistant, the course of study, and all admission requirements.
HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
: In order to comply with clinical agency guidelines, all program applicants are required tomeet health and safety requirements. Students will meet these requirements by providing a completed and signed Health and Safety Documentation Checklist with all required accompanying documentation and the Health Care Provider Signature Form to the Nursing Department. Copies of all immunizations or proof of testing for identified diseases must be provided at the time of application to the program. It is the responsibility of the student to verify that all Health and Safety Requirements remain current through the last day of the Nursing Assistant Program course, and to provide updated documentation to the course instructor as needed during the course.
LEVEL ONE FINGERPRINT CLEARANCE CARD
: In order to apply to the program, all applicants must hold a Level One AZ Department of Public Safety Fingerprint Clearance Card. You may obtain an application packet from the GCC Nursing Department or you may request a packet directly from DPS by either calling (602) 223-‐2279 or faxing your request to (602) 223-‐2947. The average processing time is five to eight weeks depending on whether or not the person has a criminal record. Further information about obtaining this card can be found at http://www.azdps.gov/services/fingerprint/.
SUPPLEMENTAL BACKGROUND CHECK:
In addition to the Level One DPS card, all students enrolling in NUR158 must prove a “Pass” result for MCCCD supplemental Background check. This check screens for barrier offenses as identified by our most stringent clinical agency partners. Background check results must be completed within six (6) months of admission to the Nursing Assistant Course.
Students may do a confidential self-‐assessment background check prior to applying for the program to determine their pass or fail status. For information about the self-‐assessment, go to www.CertifiedBackground.com and click on “Students”, then enter package code MF69bg-‐Background Check Only. The student will then be directed to set up the Certified Profile Account. This check is private-‐ between you and Certified Background. GCC will NOT be able to view these results. Because GCC is not be able to view results from a self-‐assessment check, individuals who choose to complete this self-‐assessment will still be required to pay for and complete a second background check for application to NUR158.
CPR REQUIREMENT:
All students working in any healthcare setting must be prepared to perform the essential skills ofcardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), also known as Basic Life Support (BLS) for healthcare providers. It is important to be certain that the class you take is a class designed for healthcare workers, not a layperson CPR class, and that you do hands-‐on performance of skills in your course. If you take CPR online, you must provide documentation that you also demonstrated proficiency in hands-‐on skills demonstration of CPR.
READING PREREQUISITE
: Students in NUR158 will be studying the Nursing Assistant textbook, completing assignments, and taking required program exams, so basic reading comprehension is essential to be successful in the course. Therefore, all students applying for Nursing Assistant Course (NUR 158) must complete a college placement exam indicating eligibility for or exemption from CRE101, complete RDG091 or higher with a grade of “C” or higher, or pass the HESI Admission Assessment (A2) Exam English composite with a score of 75% or higher. The HESI A2 is the admission test that is also required for MaricopaNursing RN programs; therefore, students who wish to eventually apply for the RN program may wish to consider taking the HESI A2 exam.5
IMPORTANT
: All students placed in the NA Program must provide documentation of compliance for the vaccinations and TB testing required to protect patient safety. Only students providing documentation of health and safety requirements are enrolled in nursing assistant courses. The Nursing Department will accept only photocopies of all documentation of health related materials. Students are responsible for maintaining their records and must submit documentation when due.All immunization records must include your name and signature of the healthcare provider. A health care provider’s signature on the Health Declaration form, without proof of immunization status, is NOT acceptable.
A.
MMR (Measles/Rubeola, Mumps, and Rubella [MMR])
•
REQUIRED: Attach documentation of a POSITIVE titer for Measles/Rubeola, Mumps, and Rubella. Or:• Two MMR vaccinations:
1. Get the first MMR vaccination and provide documentation of immunization.
2. The second MMR vaccine must be completed 28 -‐ 30 days after the first and submit documentation.
B.
Varicella (chickenpox)
• REQUIRED: Attach documentation of a POSITIVE titer for Varicella. OR:
• Two varicella vaccinations:
1. Get the first Varicella vaccination and provide documentation of immunization. 2. The second Varicella vaccination must be completed within 4 weeks after the first and submit documentation.
C.
Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis (Tdap):
• REQUIRED: Attach documentation of a one-‐time dose of Tdap (tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis), followed by a Td (tetanus/diphtheria) booster every 10 years.
D.
Tuberculosis (TB)
• REQUIRED: Attach a copy of an initial two-‐step TB and all subsequent annual updates if applicable.
Date given, date read, result of reading and signature of healthcare provider completing process must be included. • To be in compliance, follow these steps:
1.) Have the first test placed and read (step 1)
2.) 1 – 3 weeks later, have a second test placed and read (step 2)
• If you had the initial 2-‐step-‐test completed in the past, all subsequent annual updates must be included in the documentation. The most current annual update testing must have been completed within the last 6 months.
• If you have a positive skin test, provide documentation of a negative chest X-‐ray completed within the last two years.
E.
Hepatitis B
If you have not received the injections in the past, do not get a titer. You must obtain the first injection and attach a copy as requested. You must receive the 2nd injection in one month and the 3rd five months after the second (6 months total). a. Attach a copy of your immunization record, showing completion of the three Hepatitis B injections.
OR
b. Submit a copy of proof of a positive HbsAb titer.
c. If the series is in progress, attach a copy of the immunizations received to date. You must remain on schedule for the remaining immunizations and provide the additional documentation.
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F.
CPR Card
You must have a Healthcare Provider Level CPR card. CPR certification must include infant, child, and adult, 1 and 2-‐man rescuer, and evidence of a hands-‐on skills component. Attach a copy of both sides of the CPR card to this form. CPR cards must be signed ( if indicated) and remain current through the semester of enrollment. A fully online CPR course will not be accepted. (An official card is required; internet [computer] certificates are not acceptable. The course must contain hands on skills component).
G.
Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card
Provide a copy of both sides of the Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card (FCC). The FCC must remain current throughout the semester of enrollment. If at any time the card becomes sanctioned or is revoked, the student must immediately notify the Program Coordinator. The actual FCC will need to be presented to and validated by the nursing staff/faculty at the time of application.
H.
Health Care Provider Signature Form
A health care provider must sign the Health Care Provider Signature Form. It must have been signed within the past six (6)
months of application date. It must indicate whether the applicant will be able to function as a nursing assistant student.
Health care providers who qualify to sign this declaration include a licensed physician (M.D., D.O.), a nurse practitioner, or
physician’s assistant.
I.
Criminal Background Check Disclosure Form
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Overview of the Requirements
In order for students to be admitted to or maintain enrollment in good standing in Maricopa County Community College District’s (“MCCCD”) Allied Health and Nursing programs (“Programs”) beginning on September 1, 2011, students must provide with their application to a Program all of the following:
• A copy of an Arizona Department of Public Safety Level-‐One Fingerprint Clearance Card (“Card”). Students are required to pay the cost of applying for the Card. Cards that are NOT Level-‐One status will not be accepted.
• An original version of the “Criminal Background Check Disclosure Acknowledgement” form attached to this Summary signed by the student.
• A document from MCCCD’s authorized vendor for background checks demonstrating that the student has passed the background check. Students are required to pay the cost of obtaining the background check. Students whose background checks on the date of actual admission to a Program that are more than 6 months old or students who have been in a Program for more than 12 months may be requested to obtain an updated background check. The addition of this criminal background check is due to the fact that some of MCCCD’s largest clinical experience partners have established standards that are more stringent than those for obtaining a Card.
At all times during enrollment in a Program, students must obtain and maintain BOTH a valid Level-‐One Fingerprint Clearance Card and passing disposition on supplemental background check performed by MCCCD authorized vendor. Admission requirements related to background checks are subject to change as mandated by clinical experience partners.
Implementation of the Requirements
1. Students that are denied issuance of a Card may be eligible for a good cause exception through the Arizona Department of Public Safety. It is the student’s responsibility to seek that exception directly with the department. Until the student obtains a Card and meets the other requirements for admission, he or she will not be admitted to a Program.
2. Students admitted to a Program whose Card is revoked or suspended must notify the Program Director immediately and the student will be removed from the Program in which they have been admitted or are enrolled. Any refund of funds would be made per MCCCD policy.
3. The Criminal Background Check Disclosure Acknowledgement directs students to disclose on the data collection form of the MCCCD authorized background check vendor all of the requested information as well as any information that the background check may discover. Honesty is important as it demonstrates character. Lack of honesty will be the basis for denial of admission or removal from a Program if the information that should have been disclosed but was not would have resulted in denial of admission. Failure to disclose other types of information constitutes a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and may be subject to sanctions under that Code. Students have a duty to update the information requested on the [background check vendor] data collection form promptly during enrollment in a Program. The [background check vendor] data collection form may ask for the following information but the form may change from time to time:
• Legal Name • Maiden Name • Other names used • Social Security Number • Date of Birth
• Arrests, charges or convictions of any criminal offenses, even if dismissed or expunged, including dates and details. • Pending criminal charges that have been filed against you including dates and details. Participation in a first
offender, deferred adjudication or pretrial diversion or other probation program or arrangement where judgment or conviction has been withheld.
The authorized MCCCD background check vendor will be asked to pass or fail each student based on the standards of MCCCD’s clinical experience partners that have established the most stringent requirements. The sole recourse of any student who fails the background check and believes that failure may have been in error is with the background check vendor and not MCCCD.
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Essential Skills and Functional Abilities for Nursing Assistant Program Students
Individuals enrolled in the NA program must be able to perform essential skills. If a student believes that he or she cannot meet one or more of the standards without accommodations, the nursing assistant program must determine, on an individual basis, whether a reasonable accommodation can be made.
Functional Ability
Standard Examples Of Required Activities
Motor Abilities
Physical abilities and mobility sufficient to execute gross motor skills, physical endurance, and strength, to provide client care.
Mobility sufficient to carry out client care procedures such as assisting with ambulation of clients, administering CPR, assisting with turning and lifting clients, providing care in confined spaces such as treatment room. Manual
Dexterity
Demonstrate fine motor skills sufficient for providing safe nursing care.
Motor skills sufficient to handle equipment such as blood pressure cuffs, thermometers, etc. Perceptual/
Sensory Ability
Sensory/perceptual ability to monitor and assess
clients. • Sensory abilities sufficient to hear alarms, auscultatory sounds, cries for help, etc.
• Visual acuity to read thermometers, and I&O sheets.
• Tactile ability to feel pulses and take temperature.
• Olfactory ability to detect smoke or noxious odor, etc.
Behavioral/ Interpersonal/ Emotional
• Ability to relate to colleagues, staff and clients with honesty, integrity and nondiscrimination. • Capacity for development of mature, sensitive and
effective therapeutic relationships.
• Interpersonal abilities sufficient for interaction with individuals, families and groups from various social, emotional, cultural and intellectual
backgrounds.
• Ability to work constructively in stressful and changing environments with the ability to modify behavior in response to constructive criticism. • Capacity to demonstrate ethical behavior,
including adherence to the Nursing Assistant and student honor codes.
• Establish rapport with clients and colleagues. • Work with teams and workgroups.
• Emotional skills sufficient to remain calm in an emergency situation.
• Behavioral skills sufficient to demonstrate the exercise of good judgment and prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to care of clients.
• Adapt rapidly to environmental changes and multiple task demands.
• Maintain behavioral decorum in stressful situations. Safe environment for clients, families and co-workers
• Ability to accurately identify clients.
• Ability to effectively communicate with other caregivers.
• Ability to operate equipment safely in the clinical area.
• Ability to recognize and minimize hazards that could increase healthcare associated infections. • Ability to recognize and minimize accident hazards
in the clinical setting including hazards that contribute to client, family and co-worker falls.
• Prioritizes tasks to ensure client safety and standard of care.
• Maintains adequate concentration and attention in client care settings.
• Seeks assistance when clinical situation requires a higher level or expertise/experience. • Responds to monitor alarms, emergency
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Communication • Ability to communicate in English withaccuracy, clarity and efficiency with clients, their families and other members of the health care team (including spoken and non-verbal communication, such as interpretation of facial expressions, affect and body language). • Required communication abilities, including
speech, hearing, reading, writing, language skills and computer literacy
• Follows verbal directions from other members of the healthcare team and participates in health care team discussions of client care. • Elicits and records information about health
history, current health state and responses to treatment from clients or family members appropriate to the Nursing Assistant Scope of Practice.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relations with clients and co-workers. • Recognizes and reports critical client
information to other caregivers. Cognitive/
Conceptual/ Quantitative Abilities
• Ability to read and understand written documents in English and solve problems. • Ability to gather data and participate in a plan of
action, established by the RN.
• Ability to comprehend three-dimensional and spatial relationships.
• Ability to react effectively in an emergency situation.
• Recognizes an emergency situation and responds effectively to safeguard the client and other caregivers.
• Transfers knowledge from one situation to another.
• Monitor and conveys pertinent information found on printed documents, flow sheets, graphic sheets, other medical records and policy and procedure manuals to the RN. Punctuality/
work habits • Ability to adhere to the Glendale Nursing Assistant policies, procedures and requirements
as described in the Student Nurse Assistant Handbook, college catalog and course syllabus. • Ability to complete classroom and clinical
assignments and submit assignments at the required time.
• Ability to adhere to classroom and clinical schedules.
• Attends class and clinical assignments punctually.
• Reads, understands and adheres to all policies related to classroom and clinical experiences. • Contact instructor in advance of any absence
or late arrival.
