Utah Nursing Assistant Registry (UNAR)

Transcription

1 Utah Nursing Assistant Registry (UNAR) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1. What is a CNA (certified nursing assistant)? A CNA is a certified nursing assistant who has successfully completed a Nursing Assistant Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP), has passed the state examinations and has been placed on the Utah Nursing Assistant Registry. 2. Where can a CNA work? A CNA may work in any setting such as a Nursing Home, Assisted Living, Hospital or Hospice if they are supervised by a licensed nurse (LPN, RN) and performing nursing or nursing related services. 3. Can I take the CNA class if I have a felony or misdemeanor? You may be able to take a CNA class, but may not be able to find employment. It depends on the misdemeanor; you may want to call a nursing facility to ask for their requirements to work. If you have a felony, it may depend on the time since the felony. Some CNA programs and clinical sites require background checks and do not allow anyone with a felony to take their class. 4. What if English is not my primary language? The written and skills exam is given in English as all CNAs must be able to read and write English in order to communicate verbally and in writing while working in healthcare. The written exam may be taken in English and toggled back and forth to a Spanish test, but it is highly recommended to take it only in English. Headphones are available at each test site to listen to the written test as you are taking the test on the computer. 5. The UNAR office may grant a waiver of training in the following cases if specific requirements are met: a nursing student who has completed the first semester of nursing school within within the past two years and to a current nursing student. An official transcript of a nursing fundamentals class must accompany the Application to Test. If the candidate does not pass either the skills or written portion of the CNA examination after three attempts, she must complete a UNARapproved nursing assistant training program; an expired licensed nurse who can show proof of previous licensure and who was in good standing with her professional board. UNAR shall grant the candidate one attempt to pass both the skills and written portion of the

2 examination. If the candidate does not pass either portion, she must complete a UNAR-approved nursing assistant training program. an expired Utah CNA who is in good standing with UNAR. The expired CNA will have one year from certificate expiration to test. UNAR shall grant the candidate one attempt to pass both the skills and written portion of the examination. If the candidate does not pass either portion, the candidate must complete a UNAR-approved nursing assistant training program. any out-of-state CNA deemed certified and in good standing with another state s survey agency. UNAR grants reciprocity upon the CNA providing proof of certification in that state. An out-of-state expired CNA must complete a UNAR-approved nursing assistant training program. 5. Is my certification valid in any other state? If you are a nursing assistant moving from Utah to another state you must contact the registry of that state to see if your CNA status can be transferred. You can find the State Registry s website or telephone number at State NA Registries List, under Out of State Forms on this site. Requirements vary from state to state. If you are a nursing assistant with a current certificate from another state and you are moving into Utah, you must contact the UNAR to request an out-of-state application. 6. Where would an individual receive the nursing assistant training and who should they contact? Training programs are offered through community colleges, nursing homes, hospitals and private companies. Individuals should contact the training program coordinator at the sites. See the link for Utah Approved Training Programs from this site. 7. Who pays for testing and training? All training programs have varying amounts of tuition. You may call an approved program to inquire on pricing (see Utah Approved Training Programs on this site). A nursing assistant who is employed by, or who has received an offer of employment from a federally certified nursing care facility on or before the date on which the aide begins a nurse aide training and/or competency evaluation program cannot be charged for any portion of the program. (This includes any fees for textbooks or other required course materials). Please contact your employer regarding your attendance at a CNA program. If you are not employed, or do not have an offer to be employed as a nurse aide and you become employed by or receive an offer of

3 employment from a federally certified nursing care facility not later than 12 months after completing a nursing assistant training and competency evaluation program, you may request reimbursement of costs incurred in completing the program. This reimbursement will be prorated during the period in which you are employed as a nursing assistant. You may apply for this reimbursement through your employer or through the UNAR. 8. Where do I test and how do I schedule a testing appointment? The skills test and written exam are given at any one of 12 testing sites throughout Utah. You must first receive your Application to Test from your instructor, stating that you completed an approved program. Then you must send in a $70 money order or certified check (cashier s check) to the UNAR. (No cash or personal checks are accepted). You will be sent 2 vouchers, one for the written test and one for the skills examination. After you have received your vouchers (your entrance ticket to test ) and a list of testing center phone numbers from the UNAR, you may call one of the test sites to set up your appointments. 9. When do I have to test? Training is good for one year from the program training completion date. It is a good idea to test as soon as you complete your training as the pass rate is much higher if you take it right away. Should you choose not to test and one year passes, then you will need to retrain. 10. What should I bring on the day of testing? You must bring one form of current, valid, picture ID (e.g., driver s license, passport, Utah ID card, school ID or facility ID). You will not be allowed to take the written or skills exam without the proper identification, you will need to reschedule and you will be assessed a late fee. If taking the skills exam, you should be properly attired. Please see the Candidate Handbook on this site. 11. What do I do if I fail the test? If you are unsuccessful on either of the tests, you will receive a notice from the UNAR with another application to apply for vouchers to retest. You must send the correct amount of money in the form of a money order or certified (cashier s check) (No cash or personal checks are accepted), for testing and a completed application to the UNAR or vouchers will not be sent. Once you receive the vouchers, you may call a testing center and make an appointment to test. Each test will cost you the same amount as the first time. Each time you retest, you will be given another complete test. If you are unable to pass either the written or the skills examination test after three attempts, you will be required to retrain prior to testing again.

4 12. What should I know about test security? The use of assistance of any type is strictly prohibited. The Utah Nursing Assistant Registry has a Zero Tolerance cheating policy. If caught cheating you will be excused from the testing center and prohibited from obtaining a nursing assistant certification. Examples of items that are not permitted during testing may include, but are not limited to: (Please see complete listing in Candidate Handbook available on our website ) a. Personal definition dictionaries or thesauruses b. Interpreters c. Explanation or clarification from proctor regarding situations d. depicted or terms used during the test e. Pencils, pens, paper, Palm Pilots, PDAs in general or other writing f. Instruments, unless paper & pencil is needed for math problems g. Personal belongings such as purses, bags, coats and jackets h. Books or notes including the clinical skills checklists i. Food or drink j. Cell phones or pagers k. A translation dictionary is allowed if the testing center has prior notice and has had a chance to review the dictionary. 13. Where can I get study information? Included in this website is a Candidate Handbook, which may assist you in preparing for the test. Please check out all the links on the website. 14. What are the fees for taking the exam? The testing fees are paid prior to receiving the vouchers required to take the exams. You will NOT be allowed to test without your vouchers. A fee is required each time you test. The written test and clinical skills are both $35.00 each Check the application for the current test fees. Retests are the same price. 15. What does the written exam cover? The exam covers the areas of safety and emergencies, infection control, personal care, mental health, resident rights, communication, basic nursing skills, disease processes, restorative care, roles and responsibilities and all items from the State Curriculum.

5 16. Does my certificate expire? A nursing assistant s certificate is valid for two years from the time of issue. Certifications must be renewed every two years. To remain certified you must be actively employed in a licensed healthcare setting, for monetary compensation, at least 200 hours of nursingrelated services, providing activities of daily living under the direction of a licensed nurse during this two year period. As a courtesy to you, approximately 45 days prior to the expiration of the certificate, a renewal notice is mailed to the last known address on the registry. Keeping the registry notified of any change of address is important to ensure that you will receive your renewal notice. Sometimes nursing assistants do not receive their renewal notices because of unreported name and address changes. There are no guarantees that you will receive this form if we do not have your current address. ***Therefore, it is your responsibility to keep track of your own expiration date and to notify the registry of any name and address changes. 17. Is there a grace period for renewal? The renewal is FREE and your renewal form must be received in the UNAR office, complete and correct, by the end of the month in which it expires. If received within the 30 day grace period (after expiration), there will be a $10.00 late fee. If you do not send in your renewal form by the end of the 30 day grace period, you will be required to retest. You will not be able to work once your certificate is expired. 18. What are the office hours of the Utah Nursing Assistant Registry (UNAR)? Staff may be reached Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. by calling , (excluding holidays, and other designated days). Modified September 14, 2010