Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program
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Program Information/Mission
Admission to Program
Program admission requirement: Current high school student OR high school graduate
Additional requirements after program acceptance:
Provide a valid Social Security number, complete drug screen, criminal background check, physical exam, and meet immunization requirements
Participate in scheduled program registration and orientation sessions
Accreditation Information
This Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program is approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). The state-approved nursing assistant training program, contains competency testing of IDPH 21 mandated manual skills, as well as written competency. Successful completers are eligible to apply for the Illinois Nurse Assistant/Aide Competency Exam, to become certified. In Illinois, nursing assistants/aides working in licensed and or certified skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities and home health agencies must be certified.
Additional Program Information
Incorporating classroom, laboratory, and clinical instruction, this program is designed to prepare students to demonstrate the technical skill competency of the nursing assistant, from criteria dictated by Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC). Upon successful completion, students will be eligible for the Illinois Nurse Assistant Competency Evaluation to become certified as a nursing assistant in the State of Illinois and obtain employment in nursing homes, long-term care facilities, hospitals, clinics, home, or community health agencies. Course content emphasizes resident/patient rights, safety, and infection control, and includes, but is not limited to, Alzheimer's/dementia, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
To Remain in and Graduate from the Program
Every student is required to provide a valid Social Security number, complete drug screen, fingerprint criminal background check, physical exam, and meet immunization requirements.
Every student is required to successfully complete American Heart Association (AHA) Healthcare Provider or American Red Cross (ARC) Professional Rescurer and Health Care Provider CPR certification. Certification must remain current throughout enrollment within health career program.