Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide, Short-Term Certificate

The SSCC Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide (NA/HHA) Program is a ten credit hour program that includes classroom and lab experience at the College and clinical experience at local health care facilities. The SSCC NA/HHA Program prepares the student to sit for the National Nurse Aide Certification Exam (NNAAP) administered by Pearson VUE. After completion of the program, a student is eligible to take the Nurse Aide Certification Exam. A student who demonstrates competency on the exam will be placed on the Alabama Nurse Aide Registry. Successful completion of all courses in the program would qualify the student for employment as a Home Health Aide or Certified Nursing Assistant. A graduate is qualified for employment in the areas of long-term care, home health care, and acute care. The SSCC Nursing Assistant Program is approved by the Alabama Department of Public Health. Classes begin each fall and spring semesters.

Note: Nursing Assistant Program information policies and curriculum are subject to change due to statewide standardization of the program.

Policies for the Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide Program

Admission Requirements for the Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide Program

1. Completed application for admission to Shelton State Community College
2. Completed application for admission to the NA/HHA program.
3. A copy of an official high school transcript or GED to the SSCC Enrollment Services Office, 9500 Old Greensboro, Rd., Tuscaloosa, AL 35405.

Grading Policies
	The NA/HHA program uses the following grading scale for all nursing courses:
	A = 90-100		Excellent - Passing in the NA Program
	B = 80-89		Good
	C = 75-79		Average
	D = 60-74		Poor - Failing in the NA/HHA Program
	F = 59 below		Failure

Clinical/Laboratory Performance is graded as follows: Satisfactory (S)/Unsatisfactory (U)

Clinical/Laboratory must be satisfactory to receive a passing grade in the course. See each course syllabus for additional information.

Progression Policies

A grade of C or above (75% or above) must be maintained in each nursing assistant course to complete the program.  In courses which have a theory and laboratory component, a student must pass both components with a 75% or above in order to pass the course.  If a nursing assistant course is failed, it may be repeated one time ONLY.  If a passing grade of 75% or above is not attained upon the second attempt, a student is suspended from the NA/HHA Program for a period of one calendar year.

Certificate Completion/Graduation

To participate in SSCC graduation and/or receive a certificate from SSCC Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide Program, students must complete all of the required nursing assistant/home health aide with a grade of ‘C” or better grade.

Health Policy 

1. Proof of completion of a physical examination that demonstrates the student is free from disease (physically and psychologically) must be documented on the Shelton State Community College Medical Record by a licensed health care provider (physician, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner).        
2. Vaccinations must include Influenza, Hepatitis B Series or evidence of immunity, MMR (German Measles, Mumps, Rubella) if born after 1957 or evidence of immunity, flu vaccination (when applicable), and TB skin test. Note: Hepatitis series completed more than two (2) years prior to admission must have a titer drawn to demonstrate immunity or must receive a hepatitis booster injection.
3. Students must purchase liability and accident insurance that is available through the College.
4. Students must complete a pre-clinical drug screen prior to being assigned a clinical. Students must have a negative screen prior to beginning any clinical.
5. Students must submit to a background check upon admission and prior to beginning the first clinical. All students must give permission to perform a background check as required by federal law. The student must abide by the SSCC Nursing Program background check policy and clinical agency policy for which the student is assigned. Every effort will be made to provide students with the required clinical experiences to meet program objectives. Any student denied access by a clinical affiliate will be subject to dismissal from the program.
6. Students must submit proof of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification at the health care provider level (BLS/Infant/Child) prior to admission and/or before the first clinical nursing assistant course. The CPR certification must have a manual component. 
7. Proof of health insurance is required to cover health care costs not covered by liability or accident insurance.
8. Students must complete training on Universal Precautions, OSHA requirements, and the prevention and management of the spread of diseases. Training is given in the introductory/fundamentals course. Additional information is given related to hospital policies, including (but not limited to) issues of confidentiality, procedures, fire and safety procedures, and documentation policies.

Certification in the Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide Program

The Alabama Department of Health has contracted with Pearson VUE to develop, score, and report the results of the competency exam required for certification and placement in the Alabama Nurse Aid Registry. Credentia, Inc. works with Pearson VUE to schedule and administer the examination. To be eligible, candidates must have completed a nurse aide training course approved by the Alabama Department of Health’s Division of Provider Services within the last twenty-four months. Individuals who demonstrate competency on the exam are placed on the Nurse Aid Registry maintained by the Alabama Department of Public Health, 334.206.5169. To maintain certification, a nurse aide must work at least eight hours in 24 months. If not, the nurse aide must retrain and retest.

The examination process consists of two parts, the Skills Evaluation and the Written (or Oral) Exam, which is administered on the same day. A candidate must pass both parts in order to be certified and listed on the Alabama Nurse Aide Registry. To obtain registration information, contact the nursing office or call the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP), 1.877.889.0939. A candidate may also download a Candidate Handbook and view the Nurse Aide Practice Written Examination at www.pearsonvue.com.