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CNA - Home Health Aid (NAS/HHA)
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PROGRAM INFORMATION

Nursing Assistants perform basic patient care under the supervision of an RN, LPN, physician, or dentist. Nursing assistants are employed in acute care hospitals, nursing homes and long-term care facilities, office settings, or home care settings.

Course Offerings:

The Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide Program is offered fall or spring semester.

Approval:

Alabama Department of Public Health, Division of Healthcare Facilities

Degree Earned:

Certificate

Length of Program:

1 - 2 semesters (19-21 credit hours)

Credentials Earned:

Certified Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide following passage of the Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation Program (NACEP). Certification is required by all long-term care facilities/nursing homes.

 
     
 

In addition to the general admission requirements for the College, admission to the Nurse Assistant/Home Health Aide (NAS/HHA) program requires :

  1. unconditional admission to the College.
  2. 2.0 cumulative grade point average (gpa) calculated on previous coursework and clear academic status at Southern Union.
  3. official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended.
  4. eligibility for English 101 and Math 100 and satisfaction of the College reading requirement.
  5. application for the Nurse Assistant/Home Health Aide Program.
  6. ability to meet and comply with standards and policies in the current College Catalog and Student Handbook.
  7. ability to meet all health/ clinical requirements as stated in current Nurse Assistant/Home Health Aide Student Handbook.
Admission to the NAS/HHA program is limited by the number of faculty and clinical facilities available.

Clinical requirements to be completed AFTER admission to the program. Click here to see the requirements and forms.

  
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NAS/HHA CURRICULUM
(Courses in bold print may be completed prior to program admission.)
Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
NAS/HHA 120 Fundamentals of Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide 7
NAS/HHA 121 Fundamentals of Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide (clinical) 3
NAS 130 Basic Electrocardiogram Interpretation 2
HPS 105** Medical Terminology 3
HPS 110 Introduction to Health Sciences 2
HPS 107
or
ORI 101 		Student Survival Skills
 or
Orientation to College		 1
CIS 290C Orientation to Online Courses 1
Total Credit Hours   19


The following course is optional:
NAS/HHA 115 CPR & Basic First Aid 2

 

 

 
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  Background checks
Southern Union is contractually obligated to comply with requirements set forth by agencies used for clinical rotations. All health science students are required to have background checks and drug screens completed to meet the requirements of clinical agencies in accord with the Joint Commission Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) standards. Background checks will be conducted by one vendor approved by the clinical agencies. Currently the vendor is Student Backgrounds and the website is www.studentbackgrounds.com

Students must complete background checks prior to enrolling in the first semester of a program. Students contract directly with the approved vendor and results are confidential. The clinical agency (ies) will make the decision to approve or deny the student for clinical privileges. Refusal of an agency to accept a student will prevent a student from completing the health science program. The student will be responsible for clearing any denials reported from the clinical agency. Students who are unable to resolve denials will be withdrawn from the Health Science Program.

Refusal to sign the "Consent for Release of Information" form or refusal of access to a clinical agency will result in withdrawal or dismissal from the program.

Drug Screens
Drug screens will be conducted during the first semester of coursework and at random throughout the program. Students who do not pass the drug screen will be withdrawn from the health science program. Drug screens will be conducted by one vendor. Please refer to student handbook for complete policy. 		 
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Background Check Info
Student Background Screen Instructions
STEP 1 Log on to www.studentbackgrounds.com and submit your personal information and payment. Cost varies from $100.00-$216.00 based on your schools drug screening policy. This cost will cover your criminal background check and drug screening (Master Card and Visa Accepted).
   
PLEASE NOTE: PROCESSING OF YOUR BACKGROUND AND DRUG SCREEN WILL NOT BEGIN UNTIL PAYMENT IS RECEIVED FOR THESE SERVICES.
   
STEP 2 You will be notified of this step once classes have begun. Bring your chain of custody drug screening form (given to you by your school) to one of the LabCorp locations. Some local locations are listed below, a full list of LabCorp locations can be found on-line at www.labcorp.com or by calling 800-845-6167.
LabCorp Locations
1920 WARM SPRINGS RD
COLUMBUS, GA 31904
Phone: 706-322-4253

223 W COLLEGE ST STE A
GRIFFIN, GA 30224
Phone: 70-467-8585

507 W 3RD AVE STE B
ALBANY, GA 31701
Phone: 229-446-6400
1123 E LAMAR ST
AMERICUS, GA 31709
Phone: 229-931-9843

347 SAINT LUKES DR
MONTGOMERY, AL 36117
Phone: 334-272-1522

550 PEACHTREE ST NE STE 1650
ATLANTA, GA 30308
Phone: 404-523-5722
 
Once you have submitted your personal information and payment on-line, your educational institution will be notified of your status by the hospital at which you are completing your clinical rotations.

If you have any questions, please call Matt Samson, Employment Manager at Columbus Regional at
706-660-6414 or E-mail :matt.samson@crhs.net
 
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Question and Answers
Question:
What is the cost of the new background screen program?
Answer:
 The base cost for this new program is a flat fee of $100.00. Many of the schools have already contacted H.I.R.E. to conduct random drug screenings throughout the year for their students. This cost is built into the on-line system when students select their school/program. Random drug screenings and direct billing is available to your school if you are interested.
   
Question:
What is the $100.00 paying for?
Answer:
  • Unlimited Criminal County Level Search
  • 9 Panel Drug Screen
  • SSN Trace
  • OIG Search
  • National Sex Offender Search
  • OFAC Search
  • EPLS Search
   
Question:
What drugs will the drug screen test for?
Answer:
 Amphetamine
Barbiturate
Benzodiazepine
Cannabinoid
Cocaine
Metabolite
Opiate
Phencyclidine (PCP)
Methadone
   
Question:
What is the timeframe students must have their drug screen completed from the time they are given the chain-of-custody form?
Answer:
 48 hours
   
Question:
How long will the background check and drug screen be valid for students and instructors?
Answer:
 For students, as long as they remain within the program and/or school we will not require them to complete another background screen. If the student drops out of the program and/or school and is accepted back into the program, then at that time they will have to submit to another background screen. For instructors, the background and drug screen will remain valid for 3 years. If an instructor leaves or is terminated from the school and the school requires them to resubmit new hire paperwork again, then we would require that employee to conduct another background screen.
   
Question:
How far out from acceptance into a program can students complete the criminal background and drug screen?
Answer:
 60 days. On average the criminal background and drug screen results will be complete within 3-4 business days.
   
Question:
What are the basic step-by-step procedures for the new background screen policy?
Answer:
 Step 1: Upon admission to the program, students are given the instructions for completing their criminal background check and online payment.
Step 2: Students submit their personal information (for background purposes) and payment online.
Step 3:Once the background results are complete, the hospital will be notified of the results. Once the results are approved or denied by the hospital, an e-mail will be sent to the point of contact at the school, notifying them of the status of their student/instructor. After classes begin, the student will be notified of the date and location for the drug-screening.
   
Question:
How will the schools be notified that a student is cleared?
Answer:
 Via e-mail.
   
Question:
What is the name and contact information for our representative at H.I.R.E?
Answer:
 Steve Mills, 706-587-9205 or smills@hirellc.com
   
Question:
Who from the clinical sites/hospital will be clearing or answering questions about the criminal backgrounds and drug screens?
Answer:
 Matt Samson, Employment Manager, Columbus Regional (706) 660-6414 or via
E-mail :matt.samson@crhs.net
   
 
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  Students enrolling in a health science program must provide Southern Union State Community College with the required health care data after admission to the program. Clinical agencies mandate that students provide information regarding their current health status (annual physical and essential function) that may affect the safety of the student or the client in the clinical settings. Clinical agencies also require documentation of specific immunizations and proof that a criminal background checks and drug screen has been conducted. Various immunizations are required and are subject to change depending on the health care agency requirements. The student's health requirements must be on file in the Health Sciences building before the student can register for health science courses.

Clinical requirements must be kept current throughout the students' tenure in the program. The documentation will be reviewed initially upon entrance to the program and prior to each semester until program completion. Students may not register for classes if the required clinical documents are not up to date. Clinical documents such as Tb skin tests must not expire during the semester.

Immunizations
The Health Sciences Division must verify that all students have up-to-date immunizations. Students who do not have documentation of immunization must have blood drawn for titer to see if they are immune. The Health Sciences Student Requirements form provides details about how to meet clinical requirements. The Student health forms guidelines and physical forms are available for download below.

Due to contractual agreements with the clinical agencies, currently enrolled students may be required to obtain the seasonal flu shots as a clinical requirement.

Health Insurance
Students in the Health Sciences must demonstrate proof of health insurance. Students without proof of health insurance will not be allowed to register for health science courses or attend clinical. 		 
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NAS/HHA 120. FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING ASSISTANT/HOME HEALTH AIDE. 7 hrs.
PREREQUISITE: Admission to program. It is required that student complete all developmental requirements prior to enrolling in this class.
COREQUISITE: NAS/HHA 121.
This course provides the student with the necessary theory and laboratory experiences for the development of skills required to qualify as a long-term care Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide. Emphasis is placed on the acquisition of skills in communication, observation, safety, mobility/body mechanics, personal and restorative care, and infection control necessary to care for patients and clients of all ages. Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to apply concepts and skills in areas required by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) and the National Association of Home Care.

NAS/HHA 121. FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING ASSISTANT/HOME HEALTH AIDE (CLINICAL). 3 hrs.
PREREQUISITE: Admission to program. It is required that student complete all developmental requirements prior to enrolling in this class.
COREQUISITE: NAS/HHA 120.
This course is designed for students to apply knowledge and skills needed to perform basic nursing care safely and efficiently in various supervised health care settings. Emphasis is placed on safety, therapeutic communication, infection control, critical thinking, and proper documentation. Upon completion of this course, the student will demonstrate beginning competency in the delivery of care to patients and clients in various health care settings.

NAS/HHA 130. Basic Electrocardiogram Interpretation. 2 hrs.
This course provides students with the basic knowledge to interpret electrocardiograms. Students learn to identify the different categories of dysrrthmias on an EKG strip/monitor and acquire the technical skills to perform a 12 lead EKG in the clinical setting . An overview of the electrical conduction of the heart and cardiac circulation is included to assist students to identify common and life threatening dysrrthmias. This course includes both class and lab.  15 hours of lecture 30 hours of lab.

NAS/HHA 115. CPR & Basic First Aid. 2 hrs.
This course is designed to help the student feel more confident and act appropriately in an emergency situation. Emphasis is placed on providing the student with theoretical concepts to develop skills in basic first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Upon successful course completion, which includes specific competencies in basic life support the student will receive appropriate course completion documentation.

 

  
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Southern Union State Community College is an Equal Education Employment/Opportunity Institution. Click here for official policy of non-discrimination.
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Wadley, AL 36276
(256) 395-2211 		1701 LaFayette Parkway
Opelika, AL 36801
(334) 745-6437 		321 Fob James Drive
Valley, AL 36854
(334) 756-4151
 
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