Precertification Nursing Assistant Training (CNA)
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant. The Precertification Nursing Assistant Training Program provides the education necessary to prepare students for certification. Upon successful completion, students will be eligible to take the State of California Certification Examination to become a Nursing Assistant qualified for employment in an acute or long-term health care facility. Testing and certification fees are required.
An application is required for enrollment in this course.
Spring 2012 semester applications accepted through October 31, 2011.
Qualified Applicants —Mandatory Orientation
All applications are reviewed and qualified applicants are notified of the mandatory Course Orientation date, time, and location. Students and alternates are randomly selected during the mandatory orientation and selected students will be given enrollment information.
Selected Students
Selected students must be fingerprinted and submit documentation related to received convictions; certification may be denied. Students must meet regulatory requirements for class attendance, health clearance, background check clearance and have a valid social security number and CPR card to participate in the course.
Program Requirements
Essential Functions Required of All Nursing Students
Motor Capability
- Move from room to room and maneuver in small places.
- Transfer patients who may require physical assistance.
- Guard and assist patients with ambulation.
- Lift and carry up to 50 pounds and exert up to 100 pounds force for push/pull.
- Squat, bend/stoop, reach above shoulder level, kneel, use standing balance, and climb stairs.
- Use hands repetitively; use manual dexterity.
- Adjust, apply, and clean therapeutic equipment.
- Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
- Travel to and from academic and clinical sites.
- In the average clinical day, students sit 1-2 hours; stand 6-7 hours, travel 1-2 hours.
Sensory Cabability:
- Coordinate verbal and manual instruction.
- Assess a client 10 feet away to observe client's posture and respond to treatment.
- Respond to a timer, alarm, or cries for help.
- Monitor vital signs.
- Auditory, visual, and tactile ability sufficient to assess patient status and perform treatments (Example: color changes in skin, hear heart and lung sounds).
Communication Ability:
- Communicate effectively in English with patients, families, and other health care providers, both verbally and in writing (Example: explain treatment procedures, teach patient and families, document in medical records).
- Effectively adapt communication for intended audience.
- Interact, establish rapport with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.
- Assume the role of a health care team member.
- Function effectively under supervision.
Problem Solving Ability:
- Function effectively under stress.
- Respond appropriately to emergencies.
- Adhere to infection control procedures.
- Demonstrate problem solving skills in client care (measure, calculate, reason, prioritize, synthesize data).
- Use sound judgment and safety precautions.
- Address problems or questions to the appropriate person at the appropriate time.
- Organize and prioritize tasks.
- Follow policies and procedures required by clinical and academic settings.
Prerequisites
All prerequisites must be completed and posted to the appropriate Official College Transcript before submitting an application to the Precertification Nursing Assistant Training Program. Prerequisites “in progress” are not accepted.
Program Prerequisites
Completion of English 50 and English A,
or
Placement by approved score on assessment test.
OR
Completion of ESL 540W, 540R, 25G, and 25L
or
Placement by ESL matriculation assessment process.
A physical examination and proof of freedom from common communicable diseases by immunization or serologic testing is required (at the student’s expense) prior to the patient care experience as mandated by the California Department of Public Health.
Drug testing and background screening are required. Students must be fingerprinted and submit a Declaration of Conviction/No Conviction form required by the California Department of Public Health. Students must have a clear background check, drug screen, be free of communicable illness and meet all Essential Functions to qualify for course enrollment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many applications do you receive, and how many students are selected?
For the past application cycles, we have received 30-50 applications for the Precertification Nursing Assistant course. Budget and staffing permitting, we accept 12-24 students and 4-8 alternates each semester. Alternates who are not admitted in the class for which they were chosen as an alternate automatically receive placement in the next class.
Do I need to take the CPR course before applying to the program?
No. We no longer require CPR as an application requirement.
I have one pre-requisite course left to take. Can I still apply to the program?
No. All prerequisite courses must be completed and posted to the appropriate transcript prior to applying for the program.
I took English 1A. Does this meet the English A and English 50 prerequisite?
We recommend you see a counselor for this question.
If I have been convicted of an offense may I still apply for the program?
We recommend that you review the list of Penal Codes that prevent a person from applying for certification as a nursing assistant.