Certified Nurse Aide (NATCEP)
WHAT IS A CERTIFIED NURSE AIDE?
Certified Nurse Aides (also referred to as “CNAs”) are important members of the healthcare care. CNAs usually work in assisted-living facilities, providing basic care and assisting clients with their daily functions.
HOW DO I BECOME A CNA?
Certified Nurse Aides must be registered on the PA Dept. of Health Nurse Aide Registry. To be listed on the registry, the following steps must be completed successfully:
1. Meet Eligibility Requirements (see below)
2. Complete an approved Pennsylvania's Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP). CPACTC is an approved NATCEP.
3. Pass the PA Nurse Aide State Competency Test, administered through Credentia.
(dates are tentative-subject to change)
contact: sknipe@cpatech.org to bring in registration paperwork
What will I learn in the Nurse Aide Training Certification Program?
Nurse Aide training involves learning about the theory and skills in a wide range of areas, including
• Function of the NA
• Communication skills
• Infection Control
• Safety/Emergency
• Resident's Rights
• Resident's Independence
• Nutrition
• Common Diseases and Conditions of the Body Systems
• The Resident's Environment
• Death and Dying
• Principles of Restorative Care
What are the PA Eligibility requirements for a CNA?
1. Only graduates of a state approved nurse aide training program are eligible to take the state nurse aide competency examination.
2. Candidates must be 16 years of age before taking the Nurse Aide Competency Examination. Some nursing facilities (employers) may require the candidate to be at least 18 years of age.
3. Candidates must obtain a Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) report from the PA State Police during the year prior to beginning a nurse aide training program. The CHRI report must be free of prohibitive offenses. Prohibitive offenses include those contained in Act 14, Nurse Aide Resident Abuse Prevention Training Act 14 (PDF). A CHRI report can be obtained at PA State Police Criminal History Record
4. If a candidate has not been a resident of Pennsylvania for at least the past two years, they must obtain an FBI report as well as the PA State Police CHRI described above. Information about an FBI report can be found on the PDE Nurse Aide website under the heading Criminal History Record Information.
5. Candidates must have a physical examination prior to starting the Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP). This examination must include: (1) evidence that the individual is free of any communicable diseases and (2) a negative 2-step Mantoux TB Test. If the Mantoux is positive, a negative chest x-ray that is less than five years old is required.
6. The occupational responsibilities of the candidate may involve having full use of their hands, the ability to stand for extensive periods of time, and the ability to perform bending, pushing, pulling, and lifting a minimum of 40 pounds without restrictions.
7. Candidates must possess basic math, reading, and writing skills in English.
HOW MUCH DOES THE CNA COURSE COST?
Payable to CPACTC:
$1700 Total Due to CPACTC no less than 7 days prior to the first day of class.
$500 Registration Fee
• Due at time of application
• NONREFUNDABLE
• Will hold seat in program
$1200 Tuition Costs
• Registration Fee
• Due 7 days prior to first day of class
• Includes textbook, instruction, program supplies
WHAT OTHER COSTS AM I RESPONSIBLE FOR?
$60 Uniform (See uniform requirements) - estimated
$50 Health/Physical (See Health Examination Form) - estimated
$22 PA Criminal History Record Information Report
$76 2-step Mantoux (2-step Tuberculin Test) – estimated
$135 State Competency Exam
$20 Flu Vaccine – estimated
__________________________________________
$363 other required costs incurred by students (estimated)
CAN I GET REIMBURSEMENT FOR TRAINING AND TESTING COSTS?
Long-term nursing care facilities are responsible for the full payment of training and testing costs for candidates employed or offered employment at the time they start the nurse aide training program. Federal Department of Health regulations prohibits training and testing costs from being imposed on the nurse aide.
A candidate who does not have an employment relationship with a long-term care nursing facility at the time they start a NATCEP and personally incur the cost for training and testing is eligible for reimbursement if they become employed by a long-term care nursing facility within twelve (12) months of completing the nurse aide training program.