Program Description
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) work under the direct supervision of an RN or LPN assisting with the activities of daily living. These activities include helping patients/residents with meals, personal bathing, grooming, elimination, transfers and range of motion exercises. Nursing Assistants also obtain vital signs and communicate with other medical professionals regarding the status of patients/residents.
Nursing assistants are required to be on their feet for long periods of time, caring for patients/residents at the bedside, transferring and positioning them. A high level of manual dexterity, emotional maturity, psychomotor skills, professionalism and personal integrity are vital. Nursing assistants need sufficient strength to work and or stand up for 12 hour shifts, lift at least 50lbs, and perform tasks requiring good hand-eye coordination. Nursing assistants must be able to carry out verbal and written instructions and be able to work independently, efficiently and calmly in stressful situations.
Nursing assistants may provide care in a hospital setting, long-term care facilities, community rehabilitation services or in private homes through nursing agencies. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, overall employment of nursing assistants is projected to grow 5 percent from 2021 to 2031.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this Continuing Education Workforce Certificate, students will be able to:
1. demonstrate the ability to perform at professional standards, function as a team member, and provide effective care to clients;
2. assist patients with activities related to daily living;
3. perform observations and record vital measurements and changes to a client’s condition; and
4. identify ethical and legal issues affecting the work of the CNA and GNA.
CCBC Pathway
Health Professions Pathway. Pathways are designed to help you meet your academic and career goals by aligning related courses and programs. Pathway students participate in a variety of activities that help explore career opportunities in their field of study. You can meet with a CCBC advisor who help align — or realign — your educational plan with the Pathway that best supports you and your goals.
Program Credentials
CCBC Credential:
Students will be awarded a Continuing Education Workforce Certificate, and have access to a Continuing Education academic record (transcript). Students with a social security number who successfully complete both the theory and clinical portions of this class, and complete the required CPR class, will be able to apply to the Maryland Board of Nursing for Certified Nursing Assistant certification. Candidates are also eligible to sit for the state GNA certification given by the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program through Credentia.
Certifying Organization: Maryland Board of Nursing (MBON), www.mbon.org 410-585-1900. 4140 Patterson Avenue Baltimore, MD 21215.
MBON Certified Nursing Assistant application fee: $20 (a credit card or bankcard with Visa or Mastercard logo, electronic passport size photo, and fingerprint documentation listing a tracking number is required to complete the online application).
Maryland GNA testing body: NNAAP (National Nurse Aide Assessment Program) Fee for Oral or Written Exam & Skills Evaluation is currently $130, payable to “Credentia”. Applications can now be submitted online at https://credentia.com/test-takers/maryland
Financial Aid and Payment Options
We offer financial aid by packaging public and private funding options to those who qualify, in select Continuing Education courses and programs. Additional opportunities for financial support include partial payment options through Nelnet Business Solutions and tuition waivers for those who qualify. Resources outside of CCBC may also be available through employer/sponsor paid tuition, the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS), and your local office of workforce development.
Length of Training
8-12 weeks.
Program Requirements
Orientation:
Orientation/Information Sessions will be held monthly at CCBC Essex Campus. Students will be oriented to the program, allowing for immediate answers to questions, and clarification of program requirements, such as health documentation, vaccination requirements, criminal background checks and fingerprinting necessary for clinical placement. Please contact Registration for information at 443-840-2222.
Requirements:
A High School Diploma or GED is NOT required for program entry but may be required for employment.
Internet access (home or on a CCBC campus); ability to access and navigate an online learning platform (Brightspace)
Proof of COVID-19 vaccine(s) (Vaccine card)
In order to be admitted to the clinical portion of the program which takes place in a long term care facility, students must have the following paperwork prepared for submission to CastleBranch (a third-party document tracker service). Students will receive instructions regarding uploading documents when they register for the class.
- Physician Exam Report (provided by college)
- Negative PPD (within 12 months) or negative chest x-ray less than one year old
- Positive titer or proof of vaccination/immunity for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella
- Hepatitis B vaccination or declination form
- Tetanus shot (within 10 years)
- Current Season Flu Vaccination
- Copy of Health Insurance Card-front and back
- Copy of Current American Heart Association BLS CPR card front and back (must remain current for course duration)
- Background check and possible drug screen (depending on clinical site)
In order to apply to become a CNA in Maryland, students are required to be fingerprinted to complete the Maryland Board of Nursing Application.
All Fees associated with Background Checks and Fingerprinting are the responsibility of the student.
This program is eligible for Baltimore County Public Schools Blueprint funding.
Prior Learning Assessment
This program has no options for obtaining course waiver(s) for prior learning.
Application Process
To apply, go to www.ccbcmd.edu/apply and complete the CCBC Non-Credit Workforce Training Certificate application. Then, please send an email to CEHealth@ccbcmd.edu for information about upcoming classes.
Open Entry – No screening or documentation required.
Program Course Sequence
Course Information:
For successful program completion, students are required to:
- maintain an 75% average in theory
- obtain at least a 75% on the final exam
- perform satisfactorily in the clinical environment
CPR class REQUIRES 100% attendance. Students arriving late to class will not be admitted. Late arrival to, or early exit from, class will also result in a failing grade and no refund. Students will then be required to retake the class at their expense.
Prerequisite to Nursing Assistant Clinical AHL 171:
|
Course Number
|
Course Title
|
Course Hours
|
Textbook Information
(approximate cost; subject to change)
|
Costs
T=Tuition/F=Fees
|
|
AHE805
|
CPR for Health Care Providers
|
7
|
Book provided in class
AHA Basic Life Support Manual
|
$109
T-$33/F-$76
|
Course Series
|
Course Number
|
Course Title
|
Course Hours
|
Textbook Information
(approximate cost; subject to change)
|
Costs
T=Tuition/F=Fees
|
|
AHL170
|
Certified Nursing Assistant Theory
|
60
|
Text included with the course: Hartman’s Nursing Assistant Care: The Basics, 6th ed.
ISBN 9781604251418
|
$1,150
T-$345/F-$805
|
|
AHL171
|
Nursing Assistant Clinical
|
40
|
Text included with the course:
Workbook for Hartman’s Nursing Assistant Care: The Basics 6th ed.
ISBN 9781604251425
|
$650
T-$195/F-$455
|
|
Course Series Totals:
|
|
100
|
$0 |
$1,800
T-$540/F-$1,260
|
|
Course Series & Prerequisites Total:
|
|
107
|
$0 |
$1,909
T-$573/F-$1,336
|
Additional Information
Additional Expenses:
Castle Branch Medical Document Respository-$107.50 + additional medical expense of physical exam, vaccines (or updates/titers), TB test, and other possible medical expenses.
Maryland Board of Nursing Assistant Certification (Application Fee $20)
CJIS Fingerprinting (Fee $75)
GNA Testing Credentia (Fee $130)
Uniform- Scrubs, skid proof shoes, analog watch with second hand (Varies)
Additional Offerings:
AHE640: GNA Exam Review; 4 hours; $65 (T-$20/F-$45)
Skills for Success:
See Technical Standards at the end of this document.
Career Opportunities:
Nursing assistants may provide care in a hospital setting, long-term care facilities, or in private homes through nursing agencies. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, 2018, patient preferences and shifts in federal and state funding are increasing demand for home and community-based long-term care, which should lead to increased opportunities for nursing assistants working in home health and community rehabilitation services.
Career Coach
Research your career interests, explore live job postings, take a career assessment, discover which companies in the Baltimore region are hiring, and more. View a brief tutorial video on how to use Career Coach at https://youtu.be/C7KpznbPYfA. Explore career and training opportunities at https://ccbcmd.emsicc.com/.
Technical Standards
Technical Standards for CCBC’s Certified Nursing Assistant/Geriatric Nursing Assistant Training Series
The primary goal of The Community College of Baltimore County’s Nursing Assistant/Geriatric Nursing Assistant Training is to adequately prepare students for a position as a nursing assistant/geriatric nursing assistant at the bedside under the direct supervision of a registered nurse in an acute care hospital or in a physician’s office, urgent care center, ambulatory care facility, long-term care center, and other health care facilities.
Nursing assistants/geriatric nursing assistants are required to be on their feet for long periods of time, caring for patients at the bedside, transferring and/or positioning patients. They need to exercise safe practices while exposed to unpleasant sights, odors, materials and communicable diseases. Their duties also require them to function quickly with accuracy while being detail-oriented. A high level of manual dexterity, psychomotor skills, and personal integrity are vital.
The following is a partial listing of the types of skills usually required for adequate job performance:
Physical Requirements:
A. Sufficient strength and mobility to:
- Work and/or stand for up to 12 hours
- Lift at least 50 pounds or more and position patients
- Move swiftly within close quarters while maintaining sterile field
- Perform tasks requiring good hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills
B. Adequate vision to:
- Read patient ID bracelets for correct administration of care
- Read instruction sheets and computer screens
- Read medical measuring equipment, scale, thermometer, graduated cylinder, sphygmomanometer, patient files
C. Sufficient hearing to:
- Hear and understand verbal instructions
- Properly use stethoscope
- Interact appropriately with professionals
Interpersonal Skills and Professionalism:
A. Have the ability to:
- Work in a professional manner as part of a team
- Interact in a professional manner with many personalities and attitudes and with people from many different backgrounds
- Respect patient confidentiality and rights
- Interact with other health professionals in a polite and professional manner
B. Sufficient communication skills to:
- Give and receive accurate written and verbal instructions
- Carry out all written and verbal instructions
- Follow proper channels of communication
- Communicate in a calm and professional manner
- Interpret patient needs accurately
- Provide patient/public education related to the nursing assistant/geriatric nursing assistant profession
Intellectual Ability and Emotional Stability To:
- Exercise independent judgment within the practice to properly care for patients
- Accurately identify and carry out tasks delegated by registered nurses
- Work calmly and efficiently in stressful situations
- Maintain calmness during an emergency situation
- Complete program requirements
Environmental Requirements:
- Wearing gowns, caps, masks, gloves, and eye protection
- Working in an environment that may be noisy at times
- Working in an environment that exposes one to potentially hazardous materials including cleaning agents and chemicals, body fluids
- Working in an environment with unpleasant odors
- Provide proof of recent immunizations against infectious diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, and tetanus
- Receive Hepatitis B vaccinations and or sign a waiver