MCC MOHAVE COMMUNITY COLLEGE NURSING ASSISTANT PROGRAM STUDENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Program Description The Nursing Assistant Program provides an introduction to basic nursing knowledge, attitudes, and skills. The Program is comprised of classroom, practical and direct clinical experience at local health care facilities. The classroom comprises eighty (80) hours and the directly supervised clinical component comprises forty (40) hours. Twenty clinical hours must be completed in a long term care setting. Upon successful completion of the Program, the student will be awarded a certificate from the College and is eligible to apply to the Arizona State Board of Nursing to take the Nursing Assistant Certification Examination. Program Purpose The purpose of the Nursing Assistant Program is to provide the required 120 hours of instruction necessary in order to prepare graduates of the program to successfully complete the Arizona State Board of Nursing Assistant Certification examination, and to educate students to meet the program outcomes and to insure that no graduate will pose a danger to the patient. Certain functional abilities are essential for the delivery of safe and effective care. These abilities are essential in the sense that they constitute core components of nurse aide practice, and there is a high probability that negative consequences will result for patient/clients under the care of nurse aides who fail to demonstrate these abilities. Reference material used in the development of these standards include local health facilities job descriptions and requirements, and the Arizona Nurse Practice Act. The Technical Standards are reflected in the Nurse Aide Certificate performance-based outcomes, which are the basis for teaching and evaluating all nurse aide students. Program Goal The student will develop basic skills and nursing care knowledge required to perform effectively and safely as a nursing assistant in the acute care, long term care or home health setting. Program Objectives The student will be expected to: 1. Identify the function and role of health and nursing teams within the health care settings. 2. Identify the structure and function of basic body systems, including terminology, associated diseases, and disorders. Revised: 05/2015; 12/2013; 12/2012; 05/210; 05/2008; 01/2006; 05/2005; 04/2004 1
3. Demonstrate basic nursing skills and knowledge required as a member of the health care team. 4. Demonstrate effective communication, ethical and legal behaviors, good grooming, and dependability. 5. Demonstrate effective and safe care of the patient. Admission Requirements and Guidelines 1. Appropriate score on the College Assessment Test (COMPASS), or having successfully completed PCS-021 Reading Stage 2, PCS-022 Communication, and PCS-023 Math prior to application to Nursing Assistant Program. 2. CPR certification at Healthcare Provider level to be provided with the application. 3. The applicant is responsible for obtaining a background check at their own expense. Applicants may use on-line PreCheck to submit the background information. This should be done prior to classes so that if the student does not meet the requirements of the agency for clinical, the student can drop the class within the add/drop period. Background checks must be less than one year old on the first day of class. A Department of Public Safety (DPS), (FINGERPRINT CLEARANCE) CARD IS NOT ACCEPTED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR A BACKGROUND CHECK. Additional recheck of the background may be required by clinical facility 4. High School students under the age of 18 are waived from the back ground check requirement, except as required by clinical facility. 5. Minimal health requirements include a physical examination, TB test-2 Step PPD, and documentation of Hepatitis B series or signed declination. The physical examination must be less than one year old on the first day of class. A positive TB test will require written results of a chest x-ray specifying no signs of TB or respiratory infection. The most recent TB test and/or chest x-ray must be less than 6 months old on the first day of clinical rotation. 6. In order to provide safe and effective patient care in the Nurse Aide Certificate Program, the student must be able to demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodation, physical, cognitive, and behavioral abilities required for satisfactory completion of all aspects of the program curriculum and clinical agency requirements. Any applicant who has met the necessary academic prerequisites and can, with or without reasonable accommodation, meet and/or perform the Nurse Aide Certificate Program Technical Standards will be considered for admission. 7. Students admitted to the Nurse Aide Certificate Program gain experience in many settings that are physically demanding, e.g., hospitals, and long term care facilities. During each clinical experience, the nurse aide certificate student is assigned clinical care which includes direct patient care. Students will be expected to adhere to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA of 1996 which safeguards patient confidentiality. 8. Transportation to and from health care facilities is the responsibility of the student. Please carefully read the nurse Aide Program Technical Standards. 9. The practice of patient care requires the following functional abilities with or without reasonable accommodations: Revised: 05/2015; 12/2013; 12/2012; 05/210; 05/2008; 01/2006; 05/2005; 04/2004 2
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK REQUIREMENTS a. Walk/stand for extended periods of time; turn, position, and transfer patients. b. Able to stand and walk continuously for up to 12 hours per day. c. Push and pull with assistance300 pounds, emergency carts, stretchers, medication carts, wheel chairs, and other equipment. Lift/move heavy objects up to 50 pounds without assistance d. Move around in work area and treatment areas. Position oneself in the environment to render care without obstructing the position of other team members or equipment e. Hear normal speaking level sounds f. Detect sounds related to bodily functions g. Hear auditory alarms (monitors, fire alarms, call bells) h. Hear cries for help i. Hear in noisy environments j. See objects up to 20 feet away k. Feel vibrations (pulses) l. Detect temperature changes m. Detect abnormal odors from patient (foul smelling drainage, alcohol breath) n. Detect smoke o. Establish rapport with patients, instructors and colleagues. p. Respect and care for persons whose appearance, condition, beliefs and values may be in conflict with their own q. Deliver care regardless of patient s race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation or diagnosis r. Conduct themselves in a composed, respectful manner s. Work with teams, workgroups, and other disciplines t. Able to work with hands in water and wash hands frequently u. Establish and maintain therapeutic boundaries v. Demonstrate emotional skills to remain calm and maintain professional decorum in an emergency/stressful situation w. Demonstrate prompt and safe completion of all patient care responsibilities x. Adapt rapidly to changing environment/stress y. Exhibit ethical behaviors and exercise good judgment z. Function effectively under stress, to work as a part of a team and to respond appropriately to supervision; to adapt to changing situations, to respond appropriately to patients and families under stress, and to follow through on assigned patient care responsibilities. aa. Abilities sufficient to demonstrate competencies such as ability to arrive to a clinical on a timely basis; to meet the demands for timely performance of duties; to meet organizational requirements to perform these duties in a professional and Competent manner. 10. Once the program is in receipt of application and student receives communication of contingent acceptance to the Nurse Aide Certificate Program, the student is responsible for notifying the Director and/or Coordinator of the Nurse Aide Certificate Program of conditions that impact the student s ability to meet the Nurse Revised: 05/2015; 12/2013; 12/2012; 05/210; 05/2008; 01/2006; 05/2005; 04/2004 3
Aide Certificate program Technical Standards. Any change in the student s ability to meet and/or perform the Nurse Aide Certificate Program Technical Standards would require the student to provide the Director with documentation that they once again meet Technical Standards for functional abilities essential to Nurse Aide practice. 11. If an accommodation is necessary to participate in the Nurse Aide Certificate Program, students should seek accommodation advising with the Office of Disability Services as soon as possible so that a plan for accommodation can be in place at the beginning of the program. Under no circumstances will any course requirements or technical standards be waived for any student, with or without a disability. Mohave Community College provides reasonable accommodations to those students who qualify under the Americans with Disability Act, as amended (ADA). 12. All documentation must be submitted to the Nursing Assistant Office at Mohave Community College, Detroit Avenue Center, 1801 Detroit Ave., Kingman, AZ. 86401, no later than the first day of class. Course Grading Faculty teaching NAP 115 Nursing Assistant may schedule examination/quiz re-takes if the 75% standard is not met by the student. A student may not re-take an examination or quiz more than two (2) times. In a re-take exam, the same competencies are tested but the examination or quiz questions are not the same. A student must either achieve a 75% on each examination administered in the course or achieve a 75% on the comprehensive final examination and a minimum of a 75% average of the four test grades. Examination grades are documented on the Learning Management System (LMS) gradebook. Faculty will post exam and other assignment grades on LMS during the course. Final grades are submitted online at electronically at the end of the course. Students may access personal grades via LMS. Grade structure: 90-100% A 80-89.99% B 70-79.99% C 60-69.99% D A final grade of less than 75% disqualifies the student from taking the Nursing Assistant Certification Examination as mandated by the Arizona State Board of Nursing. Attendance Students are expected to be on time to ALL classes and clinical experiences. Notification from students to instructor of any absences must be done at least 60 minutes prior to the beginning of class. The student is responsible for all material and announcements presented in class whether present or absent. Class assignments, quizzes and examinations must be made up in a timely manner according to the direction of the instructor. Students cannot attend clinical if ill or with a fever. Students must complete a minimum of eighty (80) hours of classroom/didactic instruction Revised: 05/2015; 12/2013; 12/2012; 05/210; 05/2008; 01/2006; 05/2005; 04/2004 4
and forty (40) hours direct patient care with twenty (20) of those hours in a long term care setting to successfully complete the course. Absences of less than 4 hours must be made up on a per time basis and activities for make-up time must be approved by either the instructor or program coordinator. An absence of more than 4 hours from class, laboratory or clinical can result in course failure. Any need for make-up of greater than 4 hours must be approved by the program coordinator. In the event that time is not able to be made up, the student will be awarded an incomplete for the course, and a predetermined date for make-up will be set. If these clinical hours are not made-up a failing grade will be assigned. Student Records Student records are set up and maintained by the program coordinator or designee during the course. A student s record must contain the following: 1. Nursing Assistant Program application (includes student social security number and date of birth) 2. Documentation of meeting health requirements (physical exam, TB test/chest x-ray result, Hepatitis series or declination of same) 3. Skill check list 4. Clinical performance evaluation 5. Copy of Certificate of Completion with name and address of program, program number, program location, clinical hours, class hours, course end date, and signature of course instructor, program coordinator or program administrator. 6. Student attendance - can also be found in LMS. 7. Student examination grades or actual tests. 8. Documentation of make-up hours Student files will be maintained electronically and accessible in the Nursing Assistant Office for State Board approval as permanent electronic documents per State Board Requirements. Paper files are scanned and held for one (1) year and then destroyed. The curriculum (syllabus), course schedule, course evaluation results, results of State didactic and clinical testing for certification and copies of Arizona State Board of Nursing reports and correspondence will be maintained as electronic data regarding the course. Course Records During the course the following records must be maintained: 1. Attendance found in LMS 2. Examinations and scores used to establish grade average 3. Syllabus 4. Documentation of make-up hours 5. Miscellaneous documentation that may need to be with course record 6. Program evaluation results 7. Course grade sheet Revised: 05/2015; 12/2013; 12/2012; 05/210; 05/2008; 01/2006; 05/2005; 04/2004 5
The Nursing Assistant Office must receive a copy of the course grade sheet, syllabus and at least annually a copy of all quizzes, examinations and course handouts. Student Grievance The Nursing Assistant Program follows the Student Grievance Resolution Process located in the Mohave Community College Student Handbook. The Process speaks to non-grade related incidents and a grade related appeal. In both cases the student should meet with the faculty member first, in order to resolve the situation at the informal level. If the student and faculty are unable to resolve the situation, the student and faculty must meet with the Program Coordinator. If the student desires, an Academic Counselor as well as a Division Chair may be asked to attend. If resolution cannot be achieved, the student will complete a formal grade appeal form and submit to the Director of Student Services. A formal mediation hearing will then be scheduled. If the student is not pleased with the decision of this group, he/she may appeal to the Campus Dean. The decision of the Campus Dean is final. Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid Tuition and fee information is located in the Mohave Community College Class Schedule and the Mohave Community College Catalog. Financial aid information is located in the Mohave Community College Catalog and Student Handbook. The cost of the Nursing Assistant Program is course tuition. General eligibility requirements to receive Financial Aid The student must 1. Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen. 2. Be a graduate of a U.S. high school or foreign high school or GED. 3. Not be in default of student loan or repayment of a grant. 4. Maintain satisfactory academic progress defined by federal regulations. 5. Enroll in eligible courses defined by the institution. Inquiry on course eligibility is available by calling or visiting any MCC Financial Aid Office. 6. Enroll in an eligible program of study. 7. Have not exceeded Federal Aggregate Loan limits as defined by the Department of Education. Revised: 05/2015; 12/2013; 12/2012; 05/210; 05/2008; 01/2006; 05/2005; 04/2004 6
Student Rights, Responsibilities and Grounds for Dismissal Student Rights A student has the right to: 1. Ask questions regarding material within the course; 2. A pleasant and comfortable academic atmosphere; 3. Be treated with respect and dignity; 4. Voice dissatisfaction with any part of the course; (The student must first make the instructor aware of the cause for dissatisfaction before utilizing the problem resolution policies of the College.) 5. Due process.(the problem resolution policy should be followed if the student wishes to challenge any instructor decision in the course.) Student Responsibilities 1. Familiarize self with Mohave Community College Catalog, Student Handbook and expected student academic and personal behavior. 2. Read the syllabus, assignments and question what is not understood. 3. Study 4. Treat others with respect and consideration. Profane language is not acceptable. 5. Arrive in class prepared with homework done. 6. Follow the Standards of Conduct for Nursing Assistants specified in the rules of the Arizona State Board of Nursing R4-19-814. Copy will be found on LMS 7. Obtain the required clinical materials. a. Watch with second hand; water proof watch is an asset. b. Stethoscope. c. Pens with black ink. d. Clinical uniform: white scrub/nursing pants, Navy blue scrub top, white closed toe shoe (no clogs). e. Gait Belt 8. Comply with mandatory clinical requirements: a. Clean, unwrinkled uniform and clean white shoes in good repair. b. Student must wear a student name badge while in the clinical setting. c. Neat, clean hair which is off the face and off the collar. d. Good hygiene and no excessive perfume or after-shave lotion scents. e. Arrive on time for class/clinical being ready to work and if appropriate, in uniform. f. Body piercing limited to ear lobes (one small post per ear lobe); no dangle type of earring. No other visible body piercing is acceptable. g. Nails should be of appropriate length for safe patient care; clear or neutral nail polish is permissible; jewelry is limited to plain wedding band. There can be no artificial nails as they are prohibited by the facilities, due to infectious issues. h. Make-up should not be excessive. Revised: 05/2015; 12/2013; 12/2012; 05/210; 05/2008; 01/2006; 05/2005; 04/2004 7
i. Tattoos must be covered. j. Underwear should not be visible beneath your uniform. k. Complete all assigned duties in a timely manner consistent with the standard of care. l. Absolutely NO gum chewing. m. Abide by the policies and procedures of the host clinical facility. n. Notify nurse and instructor when leaving for breaks while on clinical duty.student must insure patient safety before taking the break.instructor will inform you of break schedule. o. Perform ONLY those procedures and skills that have been verified by the instructor. p. Report any abuse to the instructor and the nurse overseeing the patient care. q. Document care on the appropriate chart forms only after approval of the instructor. Grounds for Dismissal Consequences of failure to adhere to the above expectations will result in a review of the student s performance by the instructor and Program Coordinator. Decisions will be based on the nature/severity of the offense, evaluation of the harm or potential harm to patient/facility/staff/students/college. Probationary status means that a repeat of the behavior or another violation of this policy will result in dismissal. Possible interventions include Removing student from classroom/clinical setting at time of incident 1. Plan of Correction 2. Academic Probation 3. Withdrawal from class Instructor Supervision at Clinical The clinical instructor must maintain a faculty to student ratio of 1 faculty to no more than 10 students in the clinical area. The clinical instructor will explain to the student how they can be reached in the clinical setting if the student needs them at a moment when the instructor is not present. Some facilities allow overhead paging and some facilities prefer a cell phone or pager be utilized. The student can expect the instructor to outline their expectations in regard to the student s assignment. The instructor will make frequent rounds to assist the student with questions and to monitor the student s performance and progress in patient care. The patient s condition is of utmost concern so direct observation of student performance is a necessity. Student performance will be documented on an evaluation form by the clinical instructor Revised: 05/2015; 12/2013; 12/2012; 05/210; 05/2008; 01/2006; 05/2005; 04/2004 8
Academic Standards Academic Integrity-Cheating is addressed in this policy. Absolute honesty is required in any health care position. Collaboration, using notes, talking, looking at another s answers or otherwise using any outside sources to assist in a test, quiz or skill test is strictly prohibited. Students who are discovered to be cheating will be dismissed from the class. Certification Examination Students who have successfully completed the Nursing Assistant Program at Mohave Community College will be given direction to register for the Nursing Assistant Certification Examination. Students need to be aware that if they do not take the certification examination within a period of two (2) years of completing the program, they will have to repeat the class in order to be eligible for certification examination. The Arizona State board of Nursing will not certify any applicant who has one or more felony convictions and who has not received an absolute discharge from the sentences for all felony convictions five or more years before filing an application. The Board investigates all positive fingerprint results and determines if the applicant is or may be a threat to the health, safety or welfare of the public. Persons with a positive fingerprint result may be denied certification if the report indicates unprofessional conduct. The Board requires proof of citizenship or alien status. Program Completion Students must complete the following to successfully complete the program: 1. 80 hours of didactic instruction with either a 75% scored on each examination or a 75% scored on final examination with a test average of 75%. 2. 40 hours of clinical experience providing direct patient care at a passing level with 20 of those hours being completed in long term care. Advanced Placement At this time the Mohave Community College Nursing Assistant Program cannot accommodate advanced placement. Revised: 05/2015; 12/2013; 12/2012; 05/210; 05/2008; 01/2006; 05/2005; 04/2004 9
Incomplete/Withdrawal Options Incomplete A temporary designation of incomplete is generally given only in an emergency situation, such as illness, which results in the student's inability to complete objectives. A student must have successfully completed 75 percent of the course objectives, as determined by the instructor for the "I" designation. This designation must be changed to a permanent grade other than "W" within a period of time determined by the faculty member at the time the "I" designation is assigned. Normally, the period to complete objectives shall not exceed the end of the seventh week of the next full semester, or it will be converted to an "F" grade. A written agreement by the faculty member specifying the necessary objectives and period of time within which those need to be completed shall be sent to the student with a copy of the student's permanent file in the Office of the Registrar. Withdrawal It is the student s responsibility to withdraw from a class. Ceasing to attend the class does not constitute withdrawal. Students who stop attending their classes and do not follow the withdrawal procedure will receive the grade earned for all assignments and exams given for the entire course. This grade could be an F or a U. The withdrawal period begins after the last day of official ADD/DROP and ends as posted in the Withdraw Periods section of the Academic Calendar in the current college catalog. The last day to withdraw from this course is found on the syllabus. Debts owed to the college must be cleared by the Business Office before the student will be officially withdrawn, including: 1. Library Fees 2. Financial Aid Obligations Policy Review Nursing Assistant Program policies will be reviewed on an annual basis. Revised: 05/2015; 12/2013; 12/2012; 05/210; 05/2008; 01/2006; 05/2005; 04/2004 10