Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide Certificate

The Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide (NA/HHA) program is a twenty-four (24) credit hour program which includes classroom and lab experience at the College and clinical experience at local health care facilities. The 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. A graduate is qualified for employment in the areas of long-term care, home health care, and acute care. The Nursing Assistant program is approved by the Alabama Department of Public Health. Classes begin each semester. A student must complete all courses in the curriculum to receive a certificate from Shelton State Community College.

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
4. A cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale on all previous college credit.
5. Eligibility to enroll in COM 100 - Introductory Technical English I  or higher as measured by COMPASS Testing. Placement testing is scheduled through the Counseling Center, 205.391.2232.

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 Program Student Handbook and 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 courses, academic courses, and required home health aide courses listed in both semesters of the program.

Health Policy 

1. Proof of completion of a physical examination which 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 which include Hepatitis B Series or evidence of immunity, MMR (German Measles, Mumps, Rubella) if born after 1957 or evidence of immunity, and TB skin test  Note: Hepatitis series completed more than two (2) years prior to admission must have a titer drawn or provide proof of immunity.

3. Purchase of liability and accident insurance that is available through the College.

4. Completion of Pre-clinical drug screen prior to admission and before the first day of class. The students must have a negative screen prior to beginning any nursing course. The complete drug screen policy is located in the Nursing Program Student Handbook.

5. Background check prior to admission and before the first day of class. All students must give permission to perform a background check as required by federal law. The student must abide by the 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. Proof of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training at the health care provider level (BLS/Infant/Child) prior to admission and/or before the first clinical nursing course.

7. Proof of health insurance strongly encouraged to cover health care costs not covered by liability or accident insurance.

8. Completion of 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. NACES Plus Foundation, 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.