The Nursing Assistant, Home Health Aide and Patient Care Assistant Program

1
The Nursing Assistant, Home Health Aide and
Patient Care Assistant Program

• At SCC

2
What is a Nursing Assistant?

• A Nursing Assistant provides basic care and helps
  maintain a safe and clean environment for
  residents in healthcare facilities such as
  nursing homes and adult day health centers.
• The Nursing Assistant (NAs) have extensive daily
  contact with their clients and are key to
  providing vital information on their condition
  and progress to the nursing and medical staff.

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What are the main duties of a Nursing Assistant?

• Assisting with activities of daily living to
  ensure the comfort safety and health of the
  resident (bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting,
  exercising, etc.)
• Taking basic measurements of vital signs
  (temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure,
  etc.)
• Answering call bells or lights, escorting
  residents, making beds and maintaining personal
  belongings, setting up equipment, documenting
  residents needs and progress, etc.

4
Overview of the NA Course

• The NA course (HCP0100C) is a 165-hour Vocational
  Credit Certification (OCP-A) course and is
  offered every term.
• Day and evening courses are available.
• There will be classroom lecture and skills
  practice in an on-campus lab.
• You will learn basic Anatomy and Physiology,
  Medical Terminology, how to take vital signs,
  collect specimens and infection control.

5
NA Overview continued

• You will be taught Basic Life Support (BLS) for
  Healthcare Providers
• HIV/AIDS/Hepatitis B, TB, Bloodborne Pathogens
• Employability skills.
• Mandatory clinicals at a long-term care facility.
• Upon satisfactory completion of this course, you
  will be eligible to take the State of Florida
  Certification Nursing Assistant (CNA) exam.

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NA Admission Requirements

• You must be at least 17 years old.
• Complete a SCC admissions application
• Take the TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education)
  test. There is no minimum score needed.
• Complete a Florida Department of Law Enforcement
  (FDLE) background check. If you have not lived
  in the state of Florida for at least 5 years you
  will need to complete an FBI NCIC background
  check.
• You do not need a high school diploma.

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Approximate Costs for 2004-2005

• In-state tuition and lab fee 350.00
• Required books and Web Tutor 115.00
• State Certification Exam Fee
• Additional costs for TB skin test, uniform,
  shoes, name tag, water resistant watch w/ second
  hand.
• All fees are approximate and subject to change.

8
Career Opportunities

• According to the US Department of Labor
  employment of nursing aides is expected to grow
  faster than average for all occupations in
  response to increasing emphasis on rehabilitation
  and the long-term care needs of a rapidly growing
  elderly population. Financial pressure on
  hospitals to discharge patients as soon as
  possible should produce more nursing home
  admissions. Modern technology will also increase
  the employment of nursing aides. This
  technology, while saving lives and extending more
  lives, increases the need for long-term care
  provided by aides.

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The Home Health Aide Course

• This is an OCP-B 50-hour supplemental course
  (HCP0310) that follows the Nursing Assistant
  course and is offered every term.
• It prepares the Certified Nursing Assistant for
  employment in private residences, Hospices and
  Home Health Agencies.
• Day courses are available.

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Admissions requirements for HHA

• You must be at least 17 years old.
• Completed the Nursing Assistant (HCP0100C) at SCC
  or have proof of current Florida Nursing
  Assistant Certification at time of registration
  (submit proof to the Records Office).
• Have Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare
  Providers.
• Background checks as outlined under the Nursing
  Assistant Course.
• You do not need a high school diploma

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Approximate HHA Costs for 2004-2005

• Tuition and Lab fee (in-state) 115.00
• Textbook 45.00
• All fees are approximate and subject to change.

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Patient Care Assistant Course

• Patient Care Assistants (PCAs) receive additional
  training that expands the traditional role of the
  nursing assistant.
• This training includes an increase in supervised
  clinical hours, a component related to home
  health, and a component related to caring for
  patients in hospitals.
• The training prepares students to work in a
  health care facility other than a nursing home.

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PCA Overview

• This is a 75-hour course (HCP0620C).
• Day classes are available.
• The PCA course is offered in the fall and spring
  terms.
• You must successfully complete the Articulated
  Nursing Assistant and Advanced Home Health Aide
  course in order to enter into the Patient Care
  Assistant course.
• Complete background check as outlined in the
  Nursing Assistant program.

14
Approximate PCA Costs for 2003-2004

• Tuition and Lab fee(in-state) 175.00
• All fees are approximate and subject to change.

15
FAQs

• Can I take the HHA and/or the PCA courses at SCC
  if I did not take the Nursing Assistant course at
  SCC? Yes, but you must already have state
  certification as a Nursing Assistant apply to
  the college and provide a copy of your license to
  SCCs records department, take the TABE test and
  complete the background check as outlined under
  the NA admission requirements.
• What happens if I am required to have a FBI NCIC
  background check and it doesnt come back in time
  to start clinicals? This is handled on an
  individual basis, but there is the possibility
  that you may have to repeat the course.

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FAQs continued

• What is the state exam like? It is a 2-part test
  consisting of a written and skills section. The
  Written Test is a two-hour test with fifty (50)
  multiple-choice questions written in English. An
  Oral or Spanish Test may be requested for the
  Written Test if you have difficulty reading
  English and you must ask for it when you submit
  your application. The Manual Skills Evaluation
  requires the applicant to perform five (5)
  randomly selected nursing assistant skills.
• Once you get your certification is there an
  expiration date? No, but once certified the CNA
  must perform any nursing-related services for
  monetary compensation during the preceding 24
  months to remain active otherwise, the
  certificate will lapse and one must be
  re-certified to work as a CNA.

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In Conclusion

• It is highly recommended that when your register
  for the Nursing Assistant course that you also
  register for the Home Health Aide and Patient
  Care Assistant courses. The HHA and PCA courses
  build on what youve learned in the NA course and
  will increase your job opportunities.
• The successful completion of these 3 courses will
  give you the opportunity to work in the
  healthcare industry without a lot of
  out-of-pocket expenses. It is a great starting
  point that may lead you to further your education
  in healthcare.