Semester hours required for graduation: 16

Advisors: Dr. Heather Anderson, and Dr. Elizabeth Murray

The Nursing Assistant program is one semester including 16 credit hours of combined nursing and general education courses. The program combines classroom instruction and laboratory practice with clinical nursing experience in the community practice setting at a long term care facility covering cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques, general care of patients, and modern concepts of geriatric health care and nursing techniques. Through guided learning experiences, students provide nursing assistant care to patients with basic health needs. Students work as members of the health care field under the supervision of a clinical instructor, Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), and a registered nurse (RN). Upon graduation, students are eligible to take the Competency Exam for state certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).

Nursing Assistant under the supervision of nursing and medical staffs, provide personal care and emotional support to elderly and or acutely ill patients confined to hospitals, short-term intermediate facilities, hospice, home health and Long term care facilities. Nursing assistants employed in healthcare facilities are often the principal caregivers and required to take temperatures, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure (vital signs). In addition, nursing assistant observe patients physical, mental and emotional conditions, and report changes to the nursing or medical staff. They also assist by answering patients call lights, deliver messages, serve meals, make beds, Am, Pm Care, and help patients with meals and etc…

Criteria for Admission:

1. Admitted to WTC through the admission Department
2. High school Diploma or GED

Once admitted into the program:

1. Sign Hepatitis B waiver or show where the student has completed the Hepatitis B series
2. Completed 2 Step PPD or chest x-ray
3. Physical examination and ( Forms are provided by the college and should be current)
4. Completed orientation
5. Criminal Background check ( participating healthcare facilities will determine if a student is eligible for entry into their respective facility. If a student is determined to be ineligible for clinical placement at any one facility, then that student is dismissed from the nursing assistant program. Additional acceptance/technical standards include students who are able to independently engage in educational activities and clinical training activities in a manner that will not endanger clients/residents, other students, staff, faculty, themselves or the public).
6. 12-16 panel Drug screen
7. CPR certification
8. Fee ( price varies)
9. Uniforms / Shoes
10. Monogramming for the school logo on the uniform ( price varies)
11. Flu vaccination/ or declination waiver

All Health forms, physicals, CPR,  two step PPD, vaccinations, Background check, drug screen, uniforms, and waivers must be completed prior to orientation for clinical.

Criminal background check and Drug screen are non-refundable or non-transferable. Fees should be paid to the WTC Business Office.

Criminal record check: All direct caregivers must obtain a criminal record check as designated by clinical agencies. Persons convicted of or pled no contest to, including but not limited to child, or adult abuse, sexual assault with a deadly weapon, neglect, or mistreatment or misappropriation of property, are not permitted to work as direct caregivers. More stringent requirements are often enforced by individual clinical agencies. Students who have convictions as described above will not be allowed.

A “positive” finding on a criminal background check including but not limited to, an arrest, conviction, or no-contest plea could automatically exclude a candidate from being admitted or progressing through the program.

Candidates with any criminal history are responsible for having their records expunged prior to the running of a background check. Failure to do so and resulting “positive” finding could exclude that candidate from final admission to the program since that candidate will be ineligible to participate in clinical rotations. Candidates may reapply the following year after their record has been expunged.

At any point in the program, a “positive” finding in a drug test that excludes a student from admission into a clinical site will lead to his or her removal from the program

Graduation times may vary according to course availability and or individual course load. Consult faculty Advisor.

ALL Courses in this program require a C or better for program progression and graduation.

ALL AHS require a 77% competency for program completion.

The admission Review Committee has final authority in determining admission to all Health Science programs.