RIO HONDO COLLEGE
HEALTH SCIENCE DIVISION 

NURSING ASSISTANT PRE-CERTIFICATION

The Nursing Assistant course is a one semester 16 week program. This course is designed for students who have expressed an interest in the entry level nursing profession. This course meets Title 22 regulations in taking care of the geriatric population in the long tern care setting utilizing skills in basic care, emergency care and communication. Students who complete the curriculum, and achieve the certificate of completion, are qualified to apply for and take the state certification exam leading to certification as a Certified Nurse Assistant.

CURRICULUM GUIDE FOR THE NURSING ASSISTANT PRE-CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 

RECOMMENDED COURSES

ENGL 035 or ESL 198                               English
Math 020                                                     Basic Math
READ 023   or appropriate assessment 

COURSE CONTENT

Introduction
Patient Rights
Interpersonal Skills
Prevention Management of Catastrophe and Unusual Occurrence
Body Mechanics
Medical and Surgical Asepsis
Weights and Measures
Patient Care Skills
Patient Care Procedures
Vital Signs
Nutrition
Emergency Procedures
Long Term Care Patient
Rehabilitative Nursing
Observation and Charting
Death and Dying 

64 HOURS THEORY

 104 HOURS CLINICAL

TOTAL UNITS      4

Determination of Eligibility for Admission to the CNA Program 

A.      Admission Requirements

1.      Educational requirements for program application

a.       Proof of graduation from an accredited high school in the U.S.A. by transcript, diploma, or official international evaluation, or documentation of passing score on the GED (General Education Development) exam.

b.      Students must meet the admission requirements for Rio Hondo College

c.        Completion of Assessment testing.

2.      Health Requirements

The applicant must be free from communicable diseases, infections, psychological disorders, and other conditions that would prevent the successful performance of the responsibilities and tasks required in the education and training of a Certified Nursing Assistant. Upon acceptance into the program, the student must satisfactorily pass a health examination by a licensed physician or nurse practitioner and have various laboratory tests and immunizations, as needed, to determine physical and mental fitness. If a student enrolled in the program has developed a condition that would prevent successful performance of his/her responsibilities and tasks, the Dean of health Science may require the student to be examined by a licensed physician. If the licensed physician verifies the condition, then there is sufficient cause for suspension or expulsion form the program pursuant to Board Policy. Information on specific health requirements will be provided to the student upon admission to the program.

B.      Admission Procedure

1.      Application for admission to the College shall be submitted to the Admissions Office.

2.      Applicants to the CNA Program should attend a nursing information session to discuss requirements of the program. Applications must complete and submit a Nurse Assistant Pre-Certification application to the Health Science department for admission consideration.

3.      The Nurse Assistant Pre-Certification Program has once a year entry each Fall semester

4.      The Health Science Department will evaluate academic records and complete an admissions card. Please bring one official copy of your high school transcripts, diploma or GED to the Health Science department. If you graduated from High School and /or college in another country, please have your transcripts evaluated by a private international evaluation service and bring the documentation, as well as official international transcripts, to the Health Science Department.

C.      Admission Process

Acceptance to the Nurse Assistant Pre-Certification Program, will be through the use of an admission’s formula developed. The student’s assessment testing results will be used to determine the student’s eligibility. A lottery will be used to select qualified students. The program does not have a waiting list. Students will be notified by the Health Science Division of permission to register in writing.

D.      Appeal Procedure

An applicant who is denied admission may:

1.      Appeal in writing to the Dean of Health Sciences with ten days.

2.      If the Dean of Health Sciences denies the appeal, the student may appeal to the Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs.

3.      In the event that the above steps do not result in satisfaction to the applicant, the applicant may initiate a grievance through the grievance policy adopted by the Board of Trustees.

E.      Expenses

Uniforms, books, health and safety screenings, and miscellaneous expenses will total approximately $200.00. Students are responsible for providing their own transportation to clinical facilities.

F.       Student Support-Scholarships and Financial Aid

Rio Hondo College participates in a variety of federal and state financial aid programs. These programs are designed to assist students with tuition, fees, books/supplies, transportation and room and board. Eligibility is limited to students who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or other eligible non-citizens. Additional eligibility requirements apply to each program and information may be obtained from the Financial Aid Office. There are numerous scholarships available to Rio Hondo College nursing students. These scholarships are funded and sponsored by a variety of on and off campus resources, including community hospital partners of the nursing program. Scholarships are granted based on a variety of qualifications. Scholarship information is available in the College Scholarship Office located in the Financial aid Office or in the Health Science Division. Short-term loans are available in emergency situations for books and supplies through the Student Activities Office or the Scholarship Office.

G.      Patient Safety and Background Checks

Based on national guidelines form the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), Department of Health Services (DHS), and clinical facility policies, nursing students must have clear criminal background checks and be fingerprinted to participate in clinical courses. Specific procedures will be shared with the student upon admission. Costs are considered lab fees. If the background check is not clear, the student will be responsible for obtaining documents showing rehabilitation and/or having the record corrected. The Dean of Health Science is responsible for determining if clinical placement is appropriate through consultation with the Human Resource Department at the clinical sites. Student information will be held in strictest confidence. See the Dean of Health Science with questions concerning this procedure.

The student will be required to undergo drug testing at their expense before caring for patients in the clinical setting. Specific procedures will be shared with the student upon admission. Evidence of drug use would jeopardize the admission of the student to the clinical setting.

The Department of Health Services requires the applicant to disclose prior misdemeanor and felony convictions. The applicant must explain the circumstance of the conviction and provide documentation of rehabilitation. The DHS considers the nature and severity of the offense, subsequent acts, recency of acts or crimes, compliance with court sanctions, and evidence of rehabilitation in determining eligibility for certification. Questions concerning this requirement may be directed to the Dean of Health Science.

H.      Requirement for Certification

The Department of Health Services requires a valid social security number for certification. The

California Department of Public Health Licensing and Certification Program Aide and Technician Certification can be reached at (916) 327-2445.

I.         Transfer Students

All transfer students who have taken coursework at another CNA program will be evaluated on an individual basis. Previous CNA coursework must be no older than two years. The student must present a letter form the director of the former CAN program, stating the circumstances necessitating the transfer, and an evaluation of clinical safety. Students who are deemed unsafe in the clinical area are not eligible for transfer to the Rio Hondo Nurse Assistant Pre-Certification Training Course.

Above information subject to change

Modified: 12/08