Updated March Nurse Aide Information Booklet. From here, YOU can go anywhere. PHCC. Page 1 of 6

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1 Updated March 2014 Nurse Aide Information Booklet From here, YOU can go anywhere. PHCC Page 1 of 6

2 Revised March 2013 What this class provides you The Nurse Aide Career Studies Certificate program is open to both men and women. Students learn to care for people of all ages with emphasis on their special needs. The program includes clinical experience with clients of health care agencies in the community. Students who successfully complete the program will be eligible to take the Virginia State Board of Nursing Certification Test for Nurse Aides (NNAAP). In this class you will gain the knowledge and skills to be able to care for those whose lives depend on others in order to meet their daily needs. The areas of employment include long-term care facilities, hospitals, and home health agencies. The two classes required to be eligible to take the Virginia State Board of Nursing Nurse Aide Certification exam to become a certified nurse aide (CNA) in Virginia are: HCT 101 Health Care Technician I (4 credits) HCT 102 Health Care Technician II (4 credits) Must be taken together HCT 101 Health Care Technician I Teaches basic care skills with emphasis on physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients. Covers procedures, communications and interpersonal relations; observation, charting and reporting; care planning, safety and infection control; anatomy and physiology, nutrition and patient feeding; ethics, death and dying. Prepares multi-skilled health care workers to care for patients of various ages with special emphasis on geriatric nursing, home health, long and short term care facilities. HCT 102 Health Care Technician II Applies theory through laboratory and clinical experience for health care technicians to work in home health, long and short term facilities. In order to receive a career studies certificate from Patrick Henry Community College, the student must complete HCT 101, HCT 102 and all of the courses listed below: HLT 100 First Aid & Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (3 credits) HCT 110 Therapeutic Communication in the Health Care Setting (3 credits) ITE 101 Introduction to Microcomputers (2 credits) SDV 108 College Survival Skills (1 credit) How long is the Nurse Aide program? One semester, schedule allowing, for the Career Studies Certificate* *The program may take longer if a student does not meet the reading & writing pre-requisites) HCT 101 & HCT 102, the core nurse aide classes, are completed in 8 weeks (Fall & Spring Semester) and in 6 weeks (Summer Semester). What steps should a student take to enroll in the Nurse Aide program? Apply to be a student at Patrick Henry Community College o Students can apply on-line or in person in the Admissions Office located in the Walker Building o There is no fee to apply to be a student Meet with Financial Aid (if desired) office located in Walker Building Page 2 of 6

3 Complete the college placement test o The test is free and is administered on specific dates & times in the Integrated Advising, Testing, & Career Center (IATCC) located in the Walker Building and also at the off-campus sites in Franklin and Patrick counties. o Testing dates and times are posted in the IATCC or on line o Advising & Registration: After taking the test the student will need to meet with a Nursing/Health Science Advisor. This office is located in Philpott 109 the advisor will review college placement test scores and if the student meets the pre-requisite reading and writing (see below) the advisor will fill out & sign his/her PHCC Registration Request card o The student will then take this registration card back to the IATCC, located in the Walker building, to have the courses keyed in and registered Are there pre-requisites to the Nurse Aide program? Enrollment in HCT courses require placing out of the following course on the College Placement Test ENF 1(Preparing/College English) Enrollment in HLT courses requires placing out of the following courses on the College Placement Test or by Instructor permission. ENF 1 & ENF 2 (Preparing/College English) Other Important Information~ A GED or graduation from high school is not required for this program, but is required if a student wishes to apply for financial aid. All of the certificate courses can be completed in one semester if schedule permits. Classes fill on a first come basis. Space is limited to 30 students (fall & spring semester) & 20 students (summer semester). Any prospective student with a felony conviction needs to see the program advisor. A misdemeanor or felony conviction may result in a student being unable to attend clinical or to become certified as a nurse aide in Virginia. Expectations for Student Success Students must have a current TB test and CPR card before going into clinical (HCT 102). Background checks, free of charge, will be done on each student prior to going into clinical (HCT 102). Students must have uniforms before going to clinical (HCT 102). Uniform style will be discussed in class and can be purchased locally. The following criteria apply for students going to clinical (HCT 102) o Must wear name tag (provided by PHCC) o Must have a black writing ink pen o Must wear a watch with a second hand o Hair must be up and off shoulders o No jewelry with the exception of wedding ring(s) o No visible body piercing jewelry (i.e. nose studs, etc.) o No visible body art/tattoos (this may require the student to wear a turtleneck and/or long sleeves to the clinical site) o No dangling/loop earrings; may wear studs Page 3 of 6

4 o Shoes are to be white, closed-toe, and clean o Uniforms must be white, clean, and pressed o No perfume or strong cologne (includes lotion), may wear odor free hairspray o Fingernails are to be trimmed to professional length and clean, no colored polish o May wear clear fingernail polish o Must maintain good personal grooming o Must maintain a professional appearance o Failure to comply with above, may result in failure Students failing to take tests on the assigned dates will forfeit any extra points that may be awarded and may be subject to taking a different, in class, make-up test. Students failing to return take home tests or turn in assignments on the due date may have 5 points deducted for each day of lateness. Students must maintain a C average to pass the theory section (HCT 101). A grade of D or F will mean failure of HCT 101 and the student will not be allowed to continue into HCT 102. It will be the responsibility of the student to withdraw from HCT 102. Students must successfully complete the lab component before going onto the clinical (HCT 102). NO unexcused absenteeism allowed. Students will be allowed to have 2 excused absences. Students must have a C to pass clinical (HCT 102). If a student is unprepared for clinical, the student may fail the clinical objectives for that day. If a student is ABSENT for a clinical, the student will fail HCT 102. A student may have 2 occurrences of clinical tardiness. However, the third occurrence of tardiness will result in failure of HCT 102. If a student is deemed to be performing in an unsafe manner by the clinical instructor, the student may fail clinical (HCT 102). Tape recorders are not permitted without special permission. Students who are late may not enter the classroom until the next scheduled break. Put cell phones and beepers on vibrate while in class. Students failing to do so will be instructed to leave the classroom and answer their call. The student may not return to class until the next scheduled break. Textbook & Supplies Text: Susan Hedman, Jetta Fuzy, and Suzanne Rymer: Nursing Assistant Care, 2 nd ed., Hartman, ISBN Supplies: (Clinical) black writing ink pen, watch with second hand Estimated costs Tuition (in-state) $126.83/credit hour $ /8credits HCT 101 & HCT 102 Textbook/Workbook.. $38.75 (new) Criminal Background Check $48 minimum Uniform (varies) $ $50.00 Shoes (varies) $ $50.00 Watch (varies) $ $20.00 Certification Exam $95.00 Physical Examination & TB skin test $ (approximate) Drug Screen $38 minimum Page 4 of 6

5 Technical Standards for Nurse Aide Students Students entering the nurse aide program must possess the physical ability to: 1. Aid in the lifting and moving of patients/residents 2. Hear audible alarms and sounds 3. Auscultate certain physical parameters such as blood pressure, heart and lung sounds 4. Interact effectively with patients/residents, families and health care team members 5. Students under a doctor s care must submit written documentation for the doctor stating that the student can participate in the nurse aide program without restrictions. The nurse aide student should be able to have: Sufficient eyesight to observe patients/residents, read records, manipulate equipment, and visually monitor patients/residents in dim light Sufficient hearing to communicate with patients/residents and members of health care delivery team, monitor patients/residents using electronic equipment, and hear necessary sounds during operation of equipment Satisfactory speaking, reading and writing skills to effectively communicate in English in a timely manner Sufficient gross and fine motor coordination to manipulate equipment, lift, stoop or bend in the delivery of safe nursing care Satisfactory physical strength and endurance to be on feet for extended periods and to move immobile patients/residents Satisfactory intellectual and emotional functioning to ensure patient safety and to exercise independent judgment and discretion in performing assigned tasks What Nurse Aides Do Nurse aides assist patients with activities of daily living like eating and bathing. Nursing aides help provide basic care for patients in hospitals and residents of long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes. Duties Nursing aides provide basic care and help with basic living activities. They typically do the following: Clean and bathe patients or residents Help patients use the toilet and dress Turn, reposition, and transfer patients between beds and wheelchairs Listen to and record patients health concerns and report that information to nurses Measure patients vital signs, such as blood pressure and temperature Serve meals and help patients eat Page 5 of 6

6 In nursing homes, nurse aides are often the principal caregivers. They have more contact with residents than other members of the staff. Because some residents stay in a nursing home for months or years, nurse aides may develop close, caring relationships with their patients. Work Environment Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants held about 1,505,300 jobs in The majority of nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants work in nursing and residential care facilities. Others are employed in hospitals, home care, and hospices. The work of nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants is strenuous. They spend much of their time on their feet as they take care of many patients or residents. They may also have to do unpleasant tasks, such as emptying bedpans and changing soiled sheets. They wear uniforms to protect their clothing and to promote cleanliness. Injuries are a risk because nurse aides frequently lift people and do other physically demanding tasks and on-the-job injuries are more common for nursing aides than for most other occupations. Nurse aides should be trained in how to properly lift and move patients, which can reduce the risk of injury. Work Schedules Most nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants work full time. Because nursing homes and hospitals provide care at all hours, nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants may need to work nights, weekends, and holidays. Important Qualities Compassion. Nursing aides provide care for the sick, injured, and elderly. Doing so requires a compassionate and empathetic attitude. Patience. The routine tasks of cleaning, feeding, and bathing patients or residents can be stressful. Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants must be patient to provide quality care. Speaking skills. Nursing aides must be able to communicate effectively to address patients or residents concerns. They also need to relay patients statuses to other healthcare workers. Job Outlook Employment of nurse aides is expected to grow by 21% from 2012 to 2022, faster than the average for all occupations. Because of the growing elderly population, many nurse aides will be needed in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes. Growth in the demand for healthcare services should lead to increased opportunities for nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants in other industries as well, such as hospitals and clinics. Job Prospects Job prospects for nursing aides with formal training should be excellent, particularly in long-term care facilities. Because of the emotional and physical demands of this occupation, many nursing aides choose to leave the profession to get more training or another job. This creates opportunities for jobseekers who want to become nursing aides. Bureau of Labor Statistics information Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Edition Page 6 of 6