Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) Certificate

Certified Nurse Assistant Program (CNA)

Montana Tech offers a 14/15-credit Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) Certificate. Students are accepted each Fall, Spring, and Summer semester and complete the program in one semester. Space is limited and qualified students are accepted on a first-come/first-serve basis.

Readiness for the required courses in the NA Program can be demonstrated in either of the following ways:

• Prior completion of COMM 0102 and MATH 0101 (or their equivalents).
• Or proficient in those areas upon admission.

Graduates of the CNA Program are eligible to apply for certification through the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services after completing the Certified Nurse Assistant graduation requirements.

Montana Tech offers a school to work CNA project. This is a partnership with area high schools and health care facilities.

Program Description (CNA)

Education

• The Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) program is designed to acquaint the student with basic client care skills.

Objectives

The CNA curriculum is designed to provide nursing education that will enable a Certified Nurse Assistant:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of basic body structure and function.
2. Demonstrate competence in fundamental skills of client care.
3. Describe the role of the nurse assistant related to caring, communication, and professionalism.
4. Describe the role of the nurse assistant related to caring by demonstrating warmth, respect, genuineness and empathy.
5. Describe the role of the nurse assistant related to communication encompassing verbal, nonverbal, and written interaction with the health care team, client, and family.
6. Describe the role of the nurse assistant related to professionalism by maintaining responsibility, accountability and competence.

Outcomes

• Students must pass a written and skills certification exam through the Department of Health and Human Services upon completion of the basic nursing fundamentals course to be eligible for employment.
• Candidates for this certification must meet a minimum of 75 hours of combined in class lecture, skills lab, and clinical. 
• Graduating student documentation is submitted to Headmaster in Helena Montana by the program director proving students have performed procedures independently, consistently, and effectively. Highlands College of Montana Tech has the necessary competency as stated by the Department of Health and Human Services Certified Nursing Assistant Registrar.

CNA Information

It is the student’s responsibility to make sure he or she is familiar with the most current Health Program Department policies.

• There are no prerequisites or formal application process required for admission into the CNA program, it is on a first-come - first-serve.
• A grade of C or higher is required for ALL courses, non-health and health within the health program curriculum, in order to progress through the NA Program. If any course grade is less than a “C,” the student must withdraw from the NA Program but may apply for re-entry at a later date.
• To assure progression through the program, the student must meet the total academic and clinical requirements. The student must demonstrate a continuing ability to assure patient/client safety and welfare. Therefore, satisfactory classroom academic performance does not, in and of itself, assure progression through the program.

General Health Programs Department Standards and Requirements

To progress successfully through the NA program, applicants should have:

• Adequate visual acuity, with or without corrective lenses, to read fine print.
• Adequate hearing ability, with or without auditory aids, to be able to hear heart sounds and understand a normal speaking voice.
• Adequate physical ability to perform basic client/patient care.
• Sufficient command of the English language to effectively communicate (verbally and in written form) with clients/patients, families, and staff.

CNA Program Admission Requirements

CNA students are admitted each Fall, Spring and Summer semester. Students must meet minimum academic requirements and comply with the following health-related program requirements.

• Hepatitis B Vaccination (series of three injections). The first two injections must be completed prior to the end of the first clinic placement.
• Proof of freedom from tuberculosis (TB skin test or chest x-ray).

Fulfillment of the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into the NA Program. The number of students accepted into the NA Program is limited and admission is on a first-come/first-serve basis. If the number of qualified applicants exceeds available spaces, not all qualified applicants will be accepted.