Nursing Assistant

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Academy of Health Professions

Lowell Campus Evenings and Weekends

Program Description:

The Nursing Assistant Certificate program prepares students for entry-level employment as a nursing assistant. The program combines classroom and laboratory instruction with long-term care experiences, and fulfills Massachusetts Department of Public Health requirements. Students who complete the program are eligible to take the Massachusetts state certification examination and work as a certified nursing assistant. The Nursing Assistant Certificate program includes both academic and career courses. Career exploration is an essential component. In addition, students obtain CPR and first aid certification, as well as strengthen college and academic reading skills.

Career and Transfer Outlook:

Graduates of the Nursing Assistant Certificate program are qualified for entry-level employment as nursing assistants or home health aides. Students may find career opportunities in long-term care facilities, hospitals and clinics, or in individual residential/patient homes. Upon satisfactory completion of this certificate, students will be able to move up the career ladder by taking additional college-level courses and meeting requirements for other certificates or associate degrees in a health career.

Program Outcomes:

Graduates of the Nursing Assistant Certificate program are prepared to:

Perform entry-level technical skills of bedside care, including safety and infection control, selected therapeutic procedures, selected restorative procedures, personal care skills;
Exhibit desirable patterns of organization and execution of work habits while performing as a nursing assistant and member of a health team;
Communicate clearly and effectively to patients, family and staff;
Sit for and pass the state certification exam.

Program Specifics:

All classes and labs are held during the evening and/or weekend hours at MCC’s Health, Science & Technology Center, located on Middle Street on the Lowell campus.
Classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6 to 10 p.m., and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; three (3) clinical rotations are held on the last three Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Students are responsible for the purchase of textbooks and scrubs; white sneakers will serve as part of the professional attire during clinical rotations.
Transportation to and from clinical sites is NOT provided.

Clinical Standards:

Students are required to attend all classes and pass clinical labs with 100 percent competency; students must attend all off-site clinical rotations in order to complete the program and be eligible to sit for the nursing assistant certificate examination.

Standard/Technical Skills Notice:

To view the list of standard and specific skills required to perform duties in the Academy of Health Professions, visit the Middlesex Community College website (www.middlesex.mass.edu) or the Student Information Centers. These skills are not conditions for admission to MCC programs, but do indicate abilities and characteristics necessary for the successful completion of college health programs, and to perform the duties of the career upon graduation.

Required Courses

Total Credits: 18

Admission Information

Admission Prerequisites: Current reading score of 56 on the College Placement Test. A pre-admission meeting with an academic/admission counselor is required. English Language Learners will also be required to have course completion through ELL 055 and ELL 075/085.