H S 70 Nurse Assistant Training

Units: 7.5
Limitations on Enrollment: Valid CPR card for health workers, possess a livescan background clearance, and admission to the San Joaquin Delta College Certified Nurse Assistant training program based on a random selection.
Advisories: H S 36 Medical Terminology and Speech with a grade of “C” or better.
This course is designed to prepare the student to qualify for certification as a nurse assistant and provides over 216 hours of lecture, skills lab, and clinical practice, which prepares students for work in skilled nursing facilities or residences. The program duration is 9 weeks, 4 days per week. The course content follows the statewide approved curriculum designed to meet both federal and state regulations. Clinical hours are held in a skilled nursing facility. The program prepares students to take the competency examination for the Nurse Assistant certificate issued by the California State Department of Health Services. Nurse Assistants, as important members of the health care team, assist the nurse with the care of the patient in skilled nursing facilities or hospitals. They perform such duties as changing bed linen, dressing, grooming, bathing, assisting in and out of bed, taking vital signs and feeding patients. This course focuses on the more common physical and psychological conditions found in the elderly and the nursing approach to caring of the elderly. Employment opportunities are available in skilled nursing and personal care facilities, hospitals, and residential care agencies. Many individuals find jobs through temporary staffing agencies and home health care services. The job outlook is very good for this field. Individuals interested in career advancement may pursue further study to become licensed vocational nurses, and then registered nurses. Units earned in this course do not count toward the associate degree.

Licensure Note:
The California State Department of Health Services has specific legal requirements governing the certification of Nurse Assistants. Criminal background screening must be completed and the student cleared of criminal convictions before he/she can be competency tested or certified by the State of California. All students starting the program must be fingerprinted.