We are committed in serving our valued students by providing affordable healthcare nursing education and certification at the lowest price within and around the area you live in. We do recognize financial hardships and financial aid that is unique to each student’s circumstance and will be taken into account by a fixed or graduated payment program for the tuition and matriculation of each student.

How do I enroll in Southern California Nursing Academy’s Nursing Assistant Training Program (NATP)/Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program? What are the additional training program requirements for Southern California Nursing Academy’s NATP/CNA Program?

To be enrolled and admitted in our NATP or CNA Program, we ask that our valued prospective students acquire from Southern California Nursing Academy Admission Department and fully complete the following:

• The initial application process begins by submitting the non-refundable registration fee of $100.00 (which will be paid on our online registration payment page or either in-person or mailed through a valid check, cash, or credit card payment) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH 283B) Certified Nursing Assistant Initial Application (CAN)/Home Health Aid Initial Application (HHA) Form
  • Southern California Nursing Academy will detail the process for completion and submission of CDPH 283B Certified Nursing Assistant Initial Application (CAN)/Home Health Aid Initial Application (HHA) Form
  • Students fill out Sections I-III and NATP process to completion of section IV.  Indicate details of the submission procedure.
  • Passage of SB1384 (Chapter 847, Statutes of 2014), contains important information regarding the criminal background requirements.
  • Applicants are encouraged to read this senate bill and incorporate these requirements under this policy topic.
  • The “Disqualifying Penal Code Sections” list no longer applies to CNA’s and NATP applicants.
  • Upon enrollment in a Southern California Nursing Academy NATP for nurse assistant certification, our valued candidate for training shall submit not only the CDPH 283B certified nurse assistant training program application but the prospective student must also turn in a criminal background clearance via the proof of Live Scan fingerprinting training and physical examination by qualified healthcare professional to the Department.

• Criminal background clearance requirement and process.
  • Live Scan BCIA 8016 form and CDPH 283I Transmittal for Criminal Background Clearance form to the Department’s Aide & Technician Certification Section Registry upon student enrollment at the NATP/HHA Program of Southern California Nursing Academy.
  • All students must complete Live Scan fingerprinting upon enrollment and prior to beginning clinical training or direct contact with patients. It is imperative that the students submit the Live Scan prior to any direct patient contact with residents.

• Health Examination – Medical History, Physical Examination, PPD Tuberculosis Testing, and Hepatitis B Vaccination/Immunity
  • Each Southern California Nursing Academy NATP student enrolled in the certification program shall have a health examination, which includes a medical history and physical examination as well as a purified protein derivative (PPD) through an intermediate strength intradermal skin test for tuberculosis, unless medically contraindicated. If a positive reaction is obtained, a chest x-ray shall be taken, unless medically contraindicated.
  • A report signed by the examiner shall indicate, “The student does not have any health condition that would create a hazard to themselves, fellow employees, or patients.” This examination shall be completed and documented prior to the student having direct patient care contact in the clinical setting. This information shall be provided to the nursing facility prior to patient contact.
  • The physical health examination must be done within 90 days prior to clinical training/direct patient contact.
    • Health requirements and processes to include gathering medical history and physical examination within 90 days prior to student participation in segments of the program involving direct contact with patients.
    • Include the details for determination that the individual is free of active tuberculosis disease as per tuberculin infection testing method(s) recommended by the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and licensed by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
    • Expand upon requirements for when that test is positive; how an x-ray of the lungs must be performed and a certificate from the examining practitioner indicating the individual is free from active tuberculosis must be obtained.
    • The Hepatitis B Vaccine/Immunity student history must also be obtained.
    • Include information regarding the report that must be signed by the physician, physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner and that the report shall be provided to the nursing facility. This report shall also indicate, “the student does not have any health condition that would create a hazard to himself, fellow employees, or patients.”

The main campus is in our Palm Desert Main Classroom Theory Training location – 73700 Dinah Shore Drive, Suite 107, Palm Desert, CA 92211. Classroom theory training may only be provided at the theory classroom location approved for use with a specific Southern California Nursing Academy NATP.

1. All classroom theory training follow the Southern California Nursing Academy curriculum, lesson plans and NATP schedule that have been approved by the California Department of Public Health.
2. Federally required 16 hours of classroom theory training must be completed prior to direct patient care in the clinical class.
3. The policy must indicate who will be responsible for verifying that each student has completed the training prior to start of clinical training.
4. Standardized forms must be used to document all theory training.
   • The policy of Southern California Nursing Academy NATP will use the CDPH 276C (Individual Student Record)
   • All documentation of student progress must be hand-written.
5. The policy establishes which curriculum the Southern California Nursing Academy NATP will be following.
   • Southern California Nursing Academy lesson plans are from a model curriculum developed by the Southern California Nursing Academy NATP and uses the Nurse Assistant Training & Assessment Program (NATAP) and Current Most Up-To-Date Guidelines.
   • The procedures clearly detail the process and steps for developing the curriculum and lesson plans.
   • Student Attendance sheets (sign-in/sign out) have been developed, implemented and maintained for all training, and includes date, printed/typed name of student, student’s signature (beginning and end of each training day), and name and signature of instructor.

Clinical facility training must be completed at the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) approved clinical training facility between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.

1. Each Clinical Instructor of Southern California Nursing Academy will not have any other duties while providing immediate and direct supervision to no more than 15 students.
2. Policies and procedures must detail rules and processes surrounding clinical site approval, compliance methods to ensure adherence to training schedule and all hours and skills are met per Title 22, §71835.
3. All clinical modules and lesson plans are available for Instructor use and Department review upon request.
   • Southern California Nursing Academy’s NATP personnel consisting of the Administrators, Program Director, and Instructors are responsible to implement chosen curriculum and lesson plans.
     • The policy must include all details for curriculum development.
   • Southern California Nursing Academy Clinical Instructor(s) always provides demonstration of clinical skills at the nursing facility (Department approved clinical site) and always performs student return evaluations for all skills on CDPH 276A Nurse Assistant Training Program Skills Check List.
     • Southern California Nursing Academy NATP cannot waive any skill on the CDPH 276A form pursuant to Title 22, §71835.
     • All skills are to be successfully demonstrated by the student, on a facility resident, with the Department approved Instructor present.
     • Simulation process and exception requirements can be utilized, if a skill cannot be demonstrated on a resident in the facility and Southern California Nursing Academy P&P allows for and details the simulation process if this event does occur.
     • All skills must be evaluated by a Department approved Southern California Nursing Academy Clinical Instructor with hand written documentation, on the date the skill was performed.
   • Sign-in/sign out sheets is required for every day of clinical training.
     • The sheet should include the date and time of clinical, printed/typed name and signature of instructor, printed/typed name of student, and signature of student.
     • Student attendance sheets will be used by the RN Program Director to verify each student completed 100 hours of clinical training.

Course completion and verification processes are as follows with Southern California Nursing Academy:

1. Southern California Nursing Academy RN Program Director must verify all hours, modules and components being successfully completed by each student prior to signing CDPH 283B Certified Nurse Assistant Initial Application.
2. This is usually done through a review of the CDPH 276A Nurse Assistant Training Program Skills Check List, CDPH 276C Nurse Assistant Training Program Individual Student Record, and Student Attendance and Sign-in Sheets (including make-up sessions).
3. The signing of the CDPH 283B Certified Nurse Assistant Initial Application may occur only after the student meets state and federal NATP requirements and is eligible to take the CNA competency exam.

Attendance and makeup policies for Southern California Nursing Academy are as follows:

1. Attendance records to document both classroom and clinical training hours must be kept.
2. Sign in/sign out (Attendance records) shall include the date and time of instruction, the name and signature of the student, and the name and signature of the instructor.
3. Rule for number of absences per student must be established as only 3 theory or clinical days of course work or clinical skills evaluations that must be made-up “hour for hour” during the makeup days established by Southern California Nursing Academy NATP.
4. Procedures for makeup must include acceptable makeup, which is to be “hour for hour”, for same Modules, components and content as missed and must follow the approved curriculum and lesson plans. 
5. The Instructor must be present and available for questions during all training, including makeup.

Competency Evaluation Testing may only be performed by CDPH approved testing vendors.

1. Students may only be referred to and test with the American Red Cross or the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program. 
2. The Southern California Nursing Academy NATP policy must include the process for scheduling of testing. 
3. Procedural steps for the content, sources and methods of proving competency evaluation testing information to students must be included.

Yes, Southern California Nursing Academy is unique and caters to the students’ needs, especially in regards to preparing and gaining success during and after they graduate from our program. In the hopes of helping and aiding the students, we are committed to having medical professionals who are guest speakers to volunteer one day a week (i.e., on Fridays) to give optional assistance and resources to the students. We will also continually support our alumni with lifetime help to place them in the work settings and environments that fits with their overall career goals.

The 160 hours of theory (60) and clinical (100) education and content listed covered by the Nurse Assistant Training Program (NATP) by Southern California Nursing Academy are the minimum hours of study required to meet California Department of Public Health (CDPH)’s approval. However, we strongly encourage our instructors to provide more additional time to cover the materials with extra office hours or possibly a longer course curriculum to maintain the standard of education for Nurse Assistants in California.

• Module 1 – Introduction to Nurse Assistant
  • The purpose of this unit is to introduce the student to California Code of Regulations, Division 5, Title 22, which regulates health care facilities, and to introduce the roles and responsibilities of the Nurse Assistant, including requirements for Nurse Assistant certification, professionalism, ethics, and confidentiality.
• Module 2 – Patient Rights
  • The purpose of this unit is to introduce the Nurse Assistant to patient/resident rights. The fundamental principle behind resident rights is that each resident is a member of a family and of society as a whole. They must be cared for in a manner that protects their rights and meets the individual family, psychosocial and spiritual needs in a long-term care setting. These rights are protected by federal and state regulations.
• Module 3 – Communication/Interpersonal Skills
  • The purpose of this unit is to introduce concepts and skills required for the Nurse Assistant to communicate effectively and interact appropriately with residents, residents’ families and guests, and other members of the health care team.
• Module 4 – Prevention and Management of Catastrophe and Unusual Occurrences
  • The purpose of this unit is to introduce the student to the concepts and procedures related to the resident’s safety including environmental emergency issues. The Nurse Assistant‘s role in creating a safe environment for the resident is discussed.
• Module 5 – Body Mechanics
  • The purpose of the unit is to provide students with an understanding of efficient and proper use of the body in performing tasks related to the role of the CNA. Students will understand the principles of positioning and transporting residents and will implement these principles when providing resident care.
• Module 6 – Medical and Surgical Asepsis
  • The purpose of this unit is to present information about asepsis and the control of infection. Procedures and precautions to protect residents, health care workers and others from infection are presented, including standard precautions; transmission-based precautions and biohazards waste management.
• Module 7 – Weights and Measures
  • The purpose of this unit is to introduce a measuring system for weight, length, and volume used by nursing assistant in the clinical setting.
• Module 8 – Patient Care Skills
  • The purpose of this unit is to teach the students skills needed to support and/or assist the resident in the areas of personal hygiene, an area of activities of daily living, and elimination. Personal hygiene or personal care is generally performed independently. The Nurse Assistant should assist with or perform personal care only when residents are unable to perform a skill for themselves. Other activities included in this module are use of prosthetic devices, bowel and bladder retraining, and weighing and measuring height of the resident.
• Module 9 – Patient Care Procedures
  • The purpose of this unit is to provide learning experiences that will prepare the Nurse Assistant to safely carry out procedures that support the resident in meeting physical care needs that cannot be performed independently.
• Module 10 – Vital Signs
  • The purpose of this unit is to prepare students to know how, when and why vital signs are taken and how to report and chart these procedures. Students will learn the correct procedure for measuring temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure. They will learn to recognize and report normal and abnormal findings.
• Module 11 – Nutrition
  • The purpose of this unit is to examine the body’s need for food and the effect of food on the body. This module includes the basic food groups, nutrients, and common therapeutic diets, as well as ways to assist a resident to meet nutrition and hydration needs.
• Module 12 – Emergency Procedures
  • The purpose of this unit is to introduce the student to the concepts and procedures related to emergency procedures, signs and symptoms of distress, and the role of the Nurse Assistant in Long Term Care (LTC) in the response to immediate and temporary intervention in emergency situations.
• Module 13 – Long-Term Care Patient
  • The purpose of this unit is to introduce the student to the basic structure of the body and to review the effect of aging on body structure and function. Common physical and psychological conditions found in elderly patients are presented along with approaches to care. Community resources commonly available to assist elderly patients with their psychological, recreational, and social needs are presented.
• Module 14 – Rehabilitative Nursing
  • The purpose of this unit is to introduce the Nurse Assistant to restorative care. Each individual is entitled to reach his/her optimal level of functioning. The Nurse Assistant assists the resident in achieving maximum independent living skills through use of rehabilitative or restorative procedures.
• Module 15 – Observation and Charting
  • The purpose of this unit is to prepare students to know how, when, and why to use objective and subjective observation skills. They will report and record observations on appropriate documents using medical terms and abbreviations.
• Module 16 – Death and Dying
  • The Nurse Assistant is introduced to the various stages of the grieving process and physical signs of approaching death. This unit introduces death as a normal stage of life. The health care provider must recognize the physical, psychological, and spiritual needs of the resident during this period to understand coping mechanisms and provide support to the resident and family members.

Per the NATAP:

“The model curriculum is organized into sixteen modules, with each module containing lesson plans. The lesson plans include performance standards, terminology, suggested learner activities, suggested teaching strategies, references, content for each standard, suggested evaluation methodology, clinical applications, manual skills (where appropriate), handouts and sample test items. Educators are encouraged to mold the curriculum to suit their program needs.”

• Our Southern California Nursing Academy instructors are encouraged to personalize the teaching strategies to their own style and add literacy.
• It is suggested that the sample test items be used in a pre/post-test format, as quiz items, or as part of a unit final.
• Many of the materials, such as the lesson plans, charts, and forms, can be individually printed out and incorporated into a syllabus or student guide for use by the students.
• It is suggested that the students pass a written exam covering all major topics for each objective in each unit.
• In addition, students should demonstrate proficiency in all clinical tasks.

There are also additional 10 hours of theory education and content required to address the Special Needs with Developmental Disorders and Elder Abuse.

The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) regulations were also incorporated in the development of the curriculum. Section 483.152 of OBRA has been threaded into the curriculum where appropriate. The OBRA and Title 22 regulations require that the following content areas be included in the curriculum:

• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Infection control
• Safety and emergency procedures (including the Heimlich maneuver)
• Promoting the independence of patients
• Respecting the rights of patients
• Basic nursing skills
• Personal care skills
• Mental health and social service needs
• Care of cognitively impaired
• Basic restorative services
• Resident’s rights

Southern California Nursing Academy Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) students are able to have access to a textbook/notes electronically, that is entirely acceptable by the California Department of Health (CDPH).

However, all CNA student training must be provided physically in the classroom and clinically in a skilled nursing facility in order for the required 160 hours to be counted for the Nurse Assistant Training Program (NATP), which include the 10 hours of training from the Health and Safety Code 1337.3. Southern California Nursing Academy added the 10 hours specific topics to the CDPH 276A Nurse Assistant Training Program Skills Check List and CDPH 276C Individual Student Record for evaluation since the current DPH forms have not been revised.

There are required Theory Content topics that need to be completed by the Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) student before he or she is able to begin clinical training at the designated skilled nursing facility. Remember, the CNA student needs training for these Theory Content topics before clinical training is to begin:

• Communications and Interpersonal Skills – Modules 1, 3, 15A, 15C
• Respecting the rights of patients – Module 2, 16C
• Safety and emergency procedures including the Heimlich Maneuver – Modules 4
• Safety and emergency procedures including the Heimlich Maneuver – Modules 5, 12
• Infection Control – Module 6
• Promoting the independence of patients – Module 14

To meet Title 22 regulations, Southern California Nursing Academy students must successfully complete the curriculum modules/objectives listed below prior to any direct patient/resident contact.

• These include the required content of 16 hours, in five content areas.
• Orientation can be expanded.
• A required attendance record is found in Appendix A.
• This Form HS276-C “Nurse Assistant Certification Training Program Individual Student Record “ from the California Department of Public Health Clinical Application Checklist documents each student’s completion of the federally mandated content and provides a record of the student’s satisfactory demonstration of those clinical application skills from the curriculum.
• Also refer to Title 22 regulations at website calregs.com (List of CCR Titles-Title 22-Division5-Chapter 2.5). Excerpts from Title 22 are found in Appendix B.

The following chart shows the Modules/Objectives from California Department of Public Health “Nurse Assistant Certification Training Program Individual Student Record “(Form CDPH 276C) that are included in the NATAP Model Curriculum.

The National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) manual skills check list published in the California Nurse Assistant Candidate Handbook by Pearson Vue is used by Southern California Nursing Academy to monitor the successful completion of these skills by our NATP students. The steps listed in the NNAAP skills are used in the manual skills certification exam.

Southern California Nursing Academy instructors who evaluate students will always provide feedback throughout the NATP training. Areas that require improvement will be discussed with our valued students in addition to strategies or remedies for improvement. Our students may or may not be able to experience each clinical application in the educational setting, but our excellent instructors will always try to provide the opportunity for our students to either role-play or demonstrate the application of these skills.

As far as Southern California Nursing Academy’s Clinical Site Agreements, our Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) Program has numerous affiliated Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) that are affiliated for our valued students to do their Clinical Training.

The hours for the Clinical Training in the SNFs are set hours for the 10-week Nurse Assistant Training Program (NATP) Curriculum of Southern California Nursing Academy.

Our CNA students are able to park outside of the SNFs or designated parking lots and will be debriefed regarding options to carpool with other students also to aid in their transportation to and from the Classroom Theory and Clinical Training sites.

• CDPH 278A Nurse Assistant Orientation Program Content
  • Orientation related to the following facility-specific subjects shall be provided at the facility where the certified or non-certified nurse assistant is employed. These topics must be presented prior to direct patient care.
    • First 8 hours of employment
      • Tour of the nursing facility
      • Description of patient population
      • Description of daily routine of the patients
      • Demonstration of the use of equipment including call-cord and intercommunication system
      • Instruction in the prevention and management of catastrophe and other unusual occurrences, to include emergency procedures related to fire and disaster preparedness and instructions in the relief of choking
      • Introduction to basic patient care which includes supervised clinical training prior to a direct care assignment (3 hours minimum skills), taught by licensed staff, who have no other responsibilities while teaching
    • Next 32 hours of employment
      • Administrative structure
      • Facility’s philosophy of patient care
      • Organization of staff
      • Services offered
      • Personnel policies
      • Job description
      • Patients’ rights
      • Legal and ethical considerations of health
      • Care
      • Role of federal and state regulations in the provisions of care
      • Dementia specific training (minimum 2 hours)
      • Nursing policies and procedures
      • Patient comfort and patient environment

• CDPH 283A Certified Nurse Assistant In-Service Training/Continuing Education
  • Each nursing facility shall provide 24 hours of in-service training annually which shall be accessible to all certified nurse assistants employed by the facility. The content of the in-service training program shall be an enhancement to the basic training program, consistent with the needs of the facility residents as determined by facility staff and shall also address areas wherein the facility received deficiencies following the last licensing survey. Include 5 hours of dementia specific training per year.
  • Programs shall be reviewed for re-approval every two years.

The NNAAP® Skills List for 2018 is a list of skills that a nurse aide candidate may be asked to demonstrate during the Skills Evaluation. Within each skill is a list of the steps that should be performed in order to demonstrate that skill.

Many skills have steps highlighted in bold type—these are Critical Element Steps. If a nurse aide candidate leaves out a Critical Element Step or does not perform a Critical Element Step properly, the candidate will not pass the skill. Also, a candidate who performs only the Critical Element Step correctly in a skill does not automatically pass that skill. A pre-determined number of steps must be correctly demonstrated to meet the passing standard (or cut score) for each skill.

For instance, Skill 1 – Hand Hygiene (Hand Washing) – dictates the Certified Nursing Assistant candidate to do the following:

• SKILL 1 — HAND HYGIENE (HAND WASHING)

1. 1. Address client by name and introduces self to client by name
   2. Turns on water at sink
   3. Wets hands and wrists thoroughly
   4. 4 Applies soap to hands
   5. Lathers all surfaces of wrists, hands, and fingers producing friction, for at least 20 (twenty) seconds, keeping hands lower than the elbows and the fingertips down
   6. Cleans fingernails by rubbing fingertips against palms of the opposite hand
   7. Rinse all surfaces of wrists, hands, and fingers, keeping hands lower than the elbows and the fingertips down
   8. Uses clean, dry paper towel/towels to dry all surfaces of fingers, hands, and wrists starting at fingertips then disposes of paper towel/towels into waste container
   9. Uses clean, dry paper towel/towels to turn off faucet then disposes of paper towel/towels into waste container or uses knee/foot control to turn off faucet
   10. Does not touch inside of sink at any time

Other Skills Listings for the 2018 NNAAP include:

• SKILL 2 — APPLIES ONE KNEE-HIGH ELASTIC STOCKING
• SKILL 3 — ASSISTS TO AMBULATE USING TRANSFER BELT
• SKILL 4 — ASSISTS WITH USE OF BEDPAN
• SKILL 5 — CLEANS UPPER OR LOWER DENTURE
• SKILL 6 — COUNTS AND RECORDS RADIAL PULSE
• SKILL 7 — COUNTS AND RECORDS RESPIRATIONS
• SKILL 8 — DONNING AND REMOVING PPE (GOWN AND GLOVES)
• SKILL 9 — DRESSES CLIENT WITH AFFECTED (WEAK) RIGHT ARM
• SKILL 10 — FEEDS CLIENT WHO CANNOT FEED SELF
• SKILL 11 — GIVES MODIFIED BED BATH (FACE AND ONE ARM, HAND AND UNDERARM)
• SKILL 12 — MEASURES AND RECORDS ELECTRONIC BLOOD PRESSURE*
  • STATE SPECIFIC (EVALUATOR: DO NOT SUBSTITUTE THIS SKILL FOR SKILL 23 ‘MANUAL BLOOD PRESSURE’)
  • SKILL NOT TESTED!
• SKILL 13 — MEASURES AND RECORDS URINARY OUTPUT
• SKILL 14 — MEASURES AND RECORDS WEIGHT OF AMBULATORY CLIENT
• SKILL 15 — PERFORMS MODIFIED PASSIVE RANGE OF MOTION (PROM) FOR ONE KNEE AND ONE ANKLE
• SKILL 16 — PERFORMS MODIFIED PASSIVE RANGE OF MOTION (PROM) FOR ONE SHOULDER
• SKILL 17 — POSITIONS ON SIDE
• SKILL 18 — PROVIDES CATHETER CARE FOR FEMALE
  • SKILL NOT TESTED!
• SKILL 19 — PROVIDES FOOT CARE ON ONE FOOT
• SKILL 20 — PROVIDES MOUTH CARE
• SKILL 21 — PROVIDES PERINEAL CARE (PERI-CARE) FOR FEMALE
• SKILL 22 — TRANSFERS FROM BED TO WHEELCHAIR USING TRANSFER BELT
• SKILL 23* — MEASURES AND RECORDS MANUAL BLOOD PRESSURE
  • STATE SPECIFIC (EVALUATOR: DO NOT SUBSTITUTE THIS SKILL FOR SKILL 12 ‘ELECTRONIC BLOOD PRESSURE’)

1. Testing Schedule for the Southern California Nursing Academy, Inc. Students:
   • CNA (NATAP) Testing Schedule, Northern Region of California
2. Testing Schedule for the Southern California Nursing Academy, Inc. Students:
   • CNA (NATAP) Testing Schedule, Southern Region of California
3. CNA Testing Guidebook: CNA Certification and Testing Guidelines from Pearson VUE; August 2013

You can register for the Nurse Assistant Certification Exam by following the steps below provided by your Southern California Nursing Academy, Inc. (SoCal Nursing) Counselor:

1. Complete the Registration Application Here!

• • For all of our valued Southern California Nursing Academy matriculated students – please remember to sign the application with a “wet” signature (handwritten with black ink) and also don’t forget to include either your money order/cashier’s check before you send it to the Regional Testing Center.
  • The Regional Testing Center only accepts money order or cashier’s check and not Credit/Debit cards, personal checks, or cash.

2. List requested examination date and test site on application, which you can choose from 4 different locations based on Southern California Counties: Los Angeles, Riverside/San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura Counties.

• • Current Examination Dates and Locations in Los Angeles, Riverside/San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura Counties
  • The Nurse Aide Candidates Studying for the NNAAP Skills Evaluation Exam will be updated/changed effective with exams administered on or after July 1, 2018.
  • Please view the new skills listing along with the practice exams and study guide available in the Southern California Nursing Academy Student Handbook as well as the Written (Or Oral) Examination and Skills Evaluation Preferred Reference in the Pearson Vue’s Certified Nurse Assistant Candidate Handbook.

3. The Regional Testing Fee (No Credit/Debit cards, personal checks, or cash will be accepted)

• • Both Manual and Written Exam … $100
  • Retake Manual Skills Exam Only … $65
  • Retake Written Exam Only — $35
  • Oral Written Exam (additional fee) — $ 15
  • Rescheduling fee — $25 (Flat rate applies for all rescheduled/cancelled/missed manual and/or written exams)
  • Note: Again, please send money order or cashier’s check, payable to Regional Testing Center.  No personal checks or cash will be accepted.

4. If the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) approved you, please include the official COPY of the approval letter (932 Form).  Do not send your original as the ORIGINAL 932 Form is needed at the test site.

Mail completed registration application and examination fee to:

Regional Testing Center

15744 Golden West Street, Forum I, Room 112A

Huntington Beach, CA  92647

Testing Day Instructions:

• Bring your ORIGINAL social security card, photo identification, ORIGINAL CDPH 283B Initial Application Form or ORIGINAL approval notice (932 Form) with you to the examination. (Note: Copies of your social security card, laminated social security cards or receipts from the SSA will not be accepted).
• If you fail to bring any of the above listed documents or if you do NOT present them at the day of testing registration, you may not take the examination. You will be required to reschedule and pay the rescheduling fee.
• First and last names on 283B/932 Form, photo identification, social security card and all presented documentation must be exactly the same or you will not be permitted to take the examination.

Rescheduling Policy:

• If you are unable to attend your scheduled examination or do not bring the required documents for testing you will be charged a $25 rescheduling fee.
• Send a new registration application with the rescheduling fee to the Regional Test Coordination Center to reapply for the exam.
• A $25 reschedule fee will apply for all cancelled, rescheduled or missed exams
• See candidate handbook for details
• All registration materials are processed upon receipt; therefore there are no refunds.

We are 100% committed to provide our valued Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) graduating students with Job Placement resources as well as networking opportunities in potentially working in the Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) where the students completed their Clinical Training during the 10-week Nurse Assistant Training Program (NATP) Curriculum of Southern California Nursing Academy.

Southern California Nursing Academy’s strong and steady commitment provides you with the comprehensive medical and clinical education, training, certification, and licensure programs to support your pursuit, unwavering dreams and desired nursing and allied health professional careers. SoCal Nursing’s proactive approach means more possibilities for you and can put you on the right path to more career opportunities faster than going at it alone.

Along with the right foundation of medical knowledge, clinical skills and aspiration to succeed, we can offer you plenty of resources and professional networks for employment opportunities with the best and local health care service companies near you and, at the very least, in your desired field of occupation.

Job Placement assistance and support is always available to SoCal Nursing students and includes the following in an as needed basis:

• Offering general information on employment prospects with the demands of local businesses in health care services
• Catalog of known employment positions and job opportunities
• Communication with prospective employers in out-of-hospital and in-hospital to find job opportunities
• Supporting with professional development such as completion of employment applications and resume/curriculum vitae preparation
• Mock interviews with potential hiring personnel and prospective candidate for employment
• Following-up meetings and Job Placement resources with SoCal Nursing Graduates

Our Program Director, DSD, and Instructors will provide the necessary CEUs as well as for physical psychomotor skills evaluations needed every two years to recertify our CNAs and HHAs. Our pricing for these CEUs and skills evaluations may vary but affordable.

We are approved as a Continuing Education Provider by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) through Southern California Nursing Academy’s Application CDPH 192.

Some of the CEU topics we will offer include the following:

• Food and Nutrition
• Diabetes Mellitus Education
• Alzheimer’s and Dementia Education
• Confidentiality (HIPAA)
• Disaster Preparedness
• Electronic Medical Record
• Special Needs with Developmental Disorders and Elder Abuse
• Basic Life Support (BLS) – CPR for Adult, Child, and Infants with Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Training
• Please ask for more information about many more continuing education opportunities at Southern California Nursing Academy!

If you want more information about specific program requirements please contact us at [email protected] or call us at (760) 332-8083. Southern California Nursing Academy also holds a student handbook pertaining to admission, criminal background clearance, physical exam, attendance and course completion.

If you have any questions or concerns that you feel is important so that other PDRE customers can benefit from, please let us know and we can add it to our website!

The sole intent of Southern California Nursing Academy is threefold and similar to the goals of the Nurse Assistant Training Assessment Program (NATAP):

• To promote quality of patient care
• To provide entry-level skills for employment as a Nurse Assistant
• To provide awareness of opportunities/choices in health care occupations

To achieve its threefold purpose, the Nurse Assistant Curriculum of Southern California Nursing Academy is based upon the following beliefs:

• Individuals have the right to receive optimum health care delivered in a safe environment by a competent caregiver.
• Learning occurs in an atmosphere of mutual respect; where questioning is welcomed, problem solving is encouraged, and opportunities for guided practice exist.
• The Nurse Assistant is an important member of the health care team. The Nurse Assistant, under the direct supervision of licensed nursing personnel, provides direct care to the resident, promotes comfort measures, and collects, records and reports data.

 There is always a flux of new constant change in the health care environment.

Southern California Nursing Academy’s NATP tries to lead by following the current guidelines and recommendations of the Nurse Assistant Training and Assessment Program (NATAP) Model Curriculum.

As an example of updating its NATP curriculum, Southern California Nursing Academy will implement to the student’s teaching in theory and clinical settings the area of Confidentiality (HIPAA), Disaster Preparedness and the increasing use of electronic medical records as well as other current guidelines, recommendations, and standards of care.

Per the NATAP:

“In recent years, there has also been a move to lessen the ‘institutional’ feel of long term care facilities and more emphasis has been given to promoting independence and dignity of residents. The revised curriculum has also expanded the Recommended Teaching Strategies and Assignments, Clinical Demonstration/Method of Evaluation and updated terminology, references and sample test questions. The intent of the most recent revision was to include new terminology and new procedures that reflect the current practices, to assist instructors with more resources, and to improve the health care given to residents in long-term care facilities.”

In summary, Southern California Nursing Academy wants to provide the enthusiasm, time and funding required to maintain a standard of education and testing of Nurse Assistants in the state of California.

The core curriculum content of Southern California Nursing Academy includes all topics listed in the California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Section 71835, and Code of Federal Regulations, Section 483.152.

Southern California Nursing Academy follows the Nurse Assistant Training and Assessment Program (NATAP) Model Curriculum, which is updated/revised every 3-4 years in order to keep the strong foundation curriculum current with the community standards of practice.

The NATAP Model Curriculum meets the Title 22: California Code of Regulations, Division 5, Chapter 2.5, Section 1337-1338.5 Certified Nurse Assistant Program and the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) requirements 42CFR Chapter IV Section 483.152-483.158. The curriculum meets 60 hours of theory and 100 hours of clinical stated in the Title 22.

The Southern California Nursing Academy Nursing Assistant Training Program (NATP) schedule must contain all the required content areas listed in CCR, Title 22, Division 5, Chapter 2.5, Section 71835(n). Again, there are 16 hours of state and federal required training in the following areas prior to any direct contact with a resident:

1. Communication and interpersonal skills
2. Infection control
3. Safety and emergency procedures including the Heimlich maneuver
4. Promoting the independence of patients/residents
5. Respecting the rights of patients/residents

This requirement is met if all theory components of the following modules are taught prior to clinical training; Modules 1,2,3,4,5,6,12,14 plus one additional hour from 8E, 8H, 15A, 15C or 16C.  The students may then begin the clinical portion of the NATP. The remainder of the classroom theory modules must be taught in conjunction with the clinical training. Southern California Nursing Academy NATP may choose to teach all 60 hours of theory at the beginning of the program. This can be done if significant laboratory skills’ training is provided in conjunction with the theory training. Clinical training for 100 hours may then follow. Laboratory time does not count as part of the required 160 training hours.

We are affiliated currently with Skilled Nursing Facilities locally that have Nursing, Rehabilitation, and Healthcare Services and will eventually add more school training site in local skilled nursing facilities. We will update the students accordingly with new affiliated school training sites.

All clinical training shall take place in a Skilled Nursing Facility or Intermediate Care Facility and shall be conducted concurrently with classroom instruction. A licensed nurse free of other responsibilities shall supervise clinical training and shall be onsite providing immediate (being present while supervised demonstrates the clinical skills) supervision of students. Supervised clinical training shall be during the hours of 6:00 am to 8:00 pm. During the clinical training, there shall be no more than fifteen (15) students to each instructor. The state approved Training Program entity that is Southern California Nursing Academy provides both the theory and the clinical supervised training to our valued students.

Sixteen (16) hours of required federal training will be given prior to direct patient care.

Course completion and verification processes are as follows with Southern California Nursing Academy:

1. Southern California Nursing Academy RN Program Director must verify all hours, modules and components being successfully completed by each student prior to signing CDPH 283B Certified Nurse Assistant Initial Application.
2. This is usually done through a review of the CDPH 276A Nurse Assistant Training Program Skills Check List, CDPH 276C Nurse Assistant Training Program Individual Student Record, and Student Attendance and Sign-in Sheets (including make-up sessions).
3. The signing of the CDPH 283B Certified Nurse Assistant Initial Application may occur only after the student meets state and federal NATP requirements and is eligible to take the CNA competency exam.

At Southern California Nursing Academy, we have an eclectic, highly qualified, and competent Program Director, Director of Staff Development (DSD), Clinical and Classroom Instructors who have been experienced and exposed to the healthcare industry to benefit our valued nursing students. Some have started out as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) or Home Health Aides (HHA) themselves and eventually worked her way up to become Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) and Registered Nurses (RNs) with prestigious Associates Degrees and Bachelor’s Degrees from prestigious academic institutions and universities. Our Southern California Nursing Academy Administrators, who are themselves advanced medical professionals, support and provision the necessary tools that the Program Director, DSD and Instructors will be able to utilize to the benefit of our valued nursing students to succeed not only outside of the classroom in the clinical settings but also in their daily life by instilling ethical and moral values that translates to only positive outcomes where their careers will take them.

The California Board of Public Health will be pleased that our Administrators, Directors, DSD and Instructors follow the guidelines and recommendations regarding Southern California Nursing Academy and Student Policies and Procedures to master the concepts of our nursing curriculum and modules in the theory and clinical settings.

Administrators/Owners Job Description Policy of Southern California Nursing Academy, Inc. (SoCal Nursing) follow the prepared, approved, effectiveness, and revision based on the Applicable Standards of the California and United States Title 42, Federal Code of Regulations (42 CFR), Part 483.75 and Subpart D, 483.150-483.158, CA Health and Safety Code (CHSC), Section 1337-1338.5, and CA Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 22, Division 5, Chapter 2.5.

• The administrator/owner will maintain evidence that the RN Program Director involved in the training program is currently licensed as a Registered Nurse with the CA Board of Registered Nursing, & approved by the CA Department of Public Health as a Program Director and Instructor for the NATP
• Southern California Nursing Academy always assures that our RN Program Director meets the requirements set forth in CCR, Title 22, Section 71829(d).
• The RN Program Director is responsible for the overall coordination of the Nurse Assistant Training Program (NATP) and has verified experience in “Planning, Implementing, and Evaluating Educational Programs in Nursing” or has proof of 24-hour California Board of Registered Nurses approved course certificate of completion for “Planning, Implementing, and Evaluating Educational Programs in Nursing.”

Southern California Nursing Academy is affiliated with the following:

• Palm Desert Resuscitation Education LLC (PDRE LLC)
• California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
• Aide and Technician Certification Section (ATCS)
• Training Program Review Unit (TPRU)
• California Bureau of Private Post Secondary Education
• Council on Occupational Education (COE)
• California Community Colleges & Southern California Nursing Academy
• Health Workforce Initiative
• Nurse Assistant Training and Assessment Program (NATAP)
• National Nurse Assistant Assessment Program (NNAAP)
• Regional Testing Center for Nurse Assistant Certification
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
• Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)
• Premier Care Center
• American Heart Association (AHA)
• American Red Cross (ARC)
• S. Department of Education’s Office of National Drug Control Police

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Aide and Technician Certification Section (ATCS), Training Program Review Unit (TPRU) oversees NATPs in California.

• BCIA 8016 Request for Live Scan Service
• BCIA 8016 Sample Request for Live Scan Service
• CDPH 276A Nurse Assistant Training Program Skills Check List
• CDPH 276 B Sample Daily Nurse Assistant Training Program Schedule
• CDPH 276 C Nurse Assistant Training Program Individual Student Record
• CDPH 279 Director of Staff Development/Instructor Application
• CDPH 276B Daily Nurse Assistant Training Program Schedule
• CDPH 276D Disclosure of Ownership and Control Interest Statement
• CDPH 276 E Clinical Site Agreement
• CDPH 276S School Nurse Assistant Certification Training Program Application
• Administrative Policies and Procedures
• RN Program Director Job Description
• NATP Instructor Job Description
• Administrator/Owner Job Description
• Policy and Procedure development, renewal or updating Form
• Job Application/Resume
• CDPH 283B Certified Nurse Assistant Initial Application
• State of CA Screening of TB/Vaccine Preventable Diseases
• CDPH 283I Transmittal for Criminal Background Clearance
• CDPH 322 Transmittal Application For Criminal Record Clearance
• Health Examination
• BPPE Verification of Exemption, I9
• Theory Attendance Sheet
• Clinical Sign In Sheet

• Nurse Assistant Certification Training Program Application (CDPH 276S or 276F)
  • California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 22, Section 71835(n) specifies the mandatory theory and suggested clinical hours for each module.
  • The Nurse Assistant Certification Training Program Application for Schools (CDPH 276S) and the Nurse Assistant Certification Training Program Application for Skilled Nursing Facilities (CDPH 276F) are two sided forms.
  • Southern California Nursing Academy has the theory and clinical hours in it’s training schedule on page two of the CDPH 276S Form, which requires the total number of hours for each of the sixteen modules.
  • California requires 160 hours of training to complete the program.
  • The minimum number classroom theory training is 60 hours and 100 hours of supervised clinical training is required. Include all supporting documentation listed on the back of the form.

• Lesson Plans
  • Southern California Nursing Academy Lesson Plans covering 4 of the 16 modules have been submitted for approval by the California Department of Public Health.
  • Included for the submission is Module 8, “Patient Care Skills” plus any three of the remaining modules.
  • Each lesson plan must include all topics for the entire Module and shall include learning objectives, content outline, method of teaching, and method of evaluation.

• Nurse Assistant Certification Training Program Individual Student Record (CDPH 276C)
  • Southern California Nursing Academy Nurse Assistant Certification Training Program Individual Student Record (CDPH 276C) is the California Department of Public Health form for documenting our valued student’s theory classroom training (minimum 60 hours). The form is copied and used for each student in the NATP. Use of this form ensures compliance in documentation for all hours, modules and components of classroom theory training.
  • The Nurse Assistant Certification Training Program Individual Student Record (CDPH 276C) serves as the primary documentation for the theory/classroom hours that must be implemented in Southern California Nursing Academy’s NATP, and is the fundamental resource that the RN Program Director uses to ensure that the 60 hours and classroom theory training Modules and components have been met for each student. Southern California Nursing Academy’s Approved NATP is kept accurate, complete and ethical documentation.

• Nurse Assistant Training Program Skills Check List (CDPH 276A)
  • The Southern California Nursing Academy NATP provides 100 hours of clinical training under the immediate supervision of the Instructor.
    • The training shall include demonstration of basic patient care skills by the Instructor. The demonstration is to be based upon the theory and clinical instruction presented in the classroom.
    • Return demonstrations by the student are also required and shall be under the immediate supervision (present when student is performing the skill) of the Instructor and shall be done in the clinical setting with residents (patients).
  • The Nurse Assistant Training Program Skills Check List (CDPH 276A) is used by Southern California Nursing Academy Instructors to ensure the program meets the requirements for documentation of clinical skills training.
    • • This Skills Check List shall include a listing of the duties and skills the nurse assistant must learn, space to record the date when the nurse assistant performs this duty or skill, space to note satisfactory or unsatisfactory performance, and space to record the initials and title of the Department approved instructor who witnessed the return skill demonstration.
      • This record by the Southern California Nursing Academy instructor will serve as the primary documentation for the clinical hours and skills that must be implemented in the NATP, and is the fundamental resource that the Southern California Nursing Academy RN Program Director uses to ensure that the 100 hours and skill performance has been met for each individual student.
        • After the completion of the NATP training, the RN Program Director must attest on the Initial Application (CDPH 283 B) with the completion signature, that the student has met all the clinical and classroom training requirements.
      • Southern California Nursing Academy NATP always keeps accurate, complete and ethical documentation.

• Daily Nurse Assistant Training Program Schedule (CDPH 276B)
  • Southern California Nursing Academy NATP has a pre-set day-to-day schedule that list all of the required training including 60 hours of classroom theory and 100 hours of clinical training.
    • All required Modules, components, and skills are to be included and are thoroughly and accurately detailed enough for approval by a TPRU representative to determine what is being taught on what day and time.
  • A complete training program schedule, will address all the topics and subtopics on the Nurse Assistant Certification Training Program Individual Student Record (CDPH 276C) and all the skills on the Nurse Assistant Training Program Skills Check List (CDPH 276A).
    • Theory topics must be taught prior to skills training for that topic. For example, theory for infection control and hand washing must be taught prior to clinical skills training on that topic.
  • Lab hours, aka “Skills Lab” may be included the curriculum, but cannot be counted towards the classroom or clinical hour requirements. Any additional hours of training must be included on the training program schedule. It is recommended that lab hours be added to the curriculum to allow for skill demonstration practice prior to the clinical training.
    • Make-up time must be included in the training schedule, and the student prior to clinical instruction must make up any missed theory training. Make-up time is made up hour for hour, and must be overseen by the instructor. The make-up must cover the same content that was missed, following the Module lesson plan.
      • Note: Southern California nursing Academy’s NATP has a specific policy that limits the amount of absence and makeup that will be allowed.
  • Approval by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) mandates that this is the only schedule that our Southern California Nursing Academy NATP can use.
    • If our NATP desires to change the schedule (sequence of modules or provide the training at a different time (weekend vs. days), then the Training Program must submit the new training schedule to the Department for approval prior to implementing the change in the schedule. Once reviewed and approved by the CDPH, the updated schedule will be replaced with the previously approved schedule.
  • Southern California Nursing Academy NATP program always implements the approved training schedule regardless of any CDPH’s onsite visits.
  • There is only one approved training schedule for each provider identification number assigned to each Southern California Nursing Academy NATP.
  • Please note that lunch and break times are not included in training time and should be subtracted from total program hours.

• Instructor Application (CDPH 279)
  • Director of Staff Development and Instructor(s)
    • The California Department of Public Health prior to providing training for each Southern California Nursing Academy NATP must approve each DSD and instructor.
    • The regulatory requirements for Department approval for a Southern California Nursing Academy Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Director of Staff Development (DSD) and a Southern California Nursing Academy NATP Instructor are the same; however, the roles are different.
      • A Southern California Nursing Academy Director of Staff Development provides training for “staff” in a nursing facility and Instructors provide training for “students” in a NATP.
        • In a facility owned/operated NATP, the Department approved DSD (LVN or RN) provides the NATP instruction, as well as the orientation and in-service to the Nurse Assistants or Certified Nurse Assistants in the facility.
        • A DSD in the nursing facility may provide In-service and Orientation training for up to six months of employment while obtaining continuing education in “Planning, implementing and evaluating educational programs in nursing”.
      • Therefore, the DSD term applies to a nursing facility, and the Instructor term applies to a non-facility based NATP.
        • An LVN or RN may become approved as a NATP Instructor as long as he/she meets the regulatory requirements. (For more information, see links for State and Federal NATP Requirements)
    • Each Southern California Nursing Academy NATP always ensures that our DSD or Instructor applicant meets the regulatory qualifications prior to submitting the CDPH279 to the California Department of Public Health.
      • The requirement for “direct patient care in a long term care facility” and “nursing facility” – Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF), Intermediate Care Facility-ICF, or Intermediate Care Facility-Developmentally Disabled (ICF-DD) or ICF-DD Nursing (ICF- DDN) – is verifiable with our DSD and Instructors.
      • All our DSD and Instructor applicants must provide proof of the required experience or 24-hour course and must be approved by the Department prior to teaching a certification program (NATP).
    • RN Program Director
      • Each Southern California Nursing Academy NATP has designated a qualified and competent Registered Nurse (RN) who meets the DSD and Instructor qualifications stated above to be the “RN Program Director” for the NATP.
      • Our Program Director RN is responsible for the general supervision of the NATP in a non-SNF owned NATP.
        • The general supervision should include, but is not limited to oversight of instructors, curriculum, verification of student training, and signing of CDPH 283B after the student successfully completes the NATP (attesting that all state and federal training requirements are met).
      • In order to be approved as the Program Director for the Southern California Nursing Academy NATP, the RN must be approved as an Instructor for the NATP.
        • Instructor approval may be prior to or concurrent with the Program Director designation.
      • Additionally, the Southern California Nursing Academy NATP has submitted the CDPH 276 form which designates the Program Director.
        • The Nurse Assistant Certification Training Program Application CDPH 276S or CDPH 276F has been submitted in order to designate an approved Instructor as the RN Program Director for the Southern California Nursing Academy

• Clinical Site Agreement (CDPH 276E)
  • Southern California Nursing Academy NATP provides at least 100 hours of clinical training in a California Department of Public Health approved long-term care facility.
    • An official written agreement stated in the Clinical Site Agreement (CDPH 276E) between the Southern California Nursing Academy NATP and the long-term care clinical SNF facility (where the training is provided between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.) has been approved by the California Department of Public Health prior to clinical training taking place.
      • Nurse Assistant Training Program (NATP) Responsibilities:
        1. Prior to direct patient contact in the facility, the student must receive the federally mandated 16 hours of training regarding specific topics.
        2. Provide all clinical training and will provide immediate and direct supervision of students.
        3. Student to instructor ratio shall not exceed 15 students per Instructor.
        4. Provide facility with a list of names of all students along with the training schedule that will be followed.
        5. Provide all clinical training in the Department approved facility, by a Department approved instructor, while following the NATP schedule.
        6. Provide notice to the facility, that all students have had the physical examination, test for TB (not less than 90 days prior to patient contact) and criminal screening (upon enrollment to the NATP).
        7. Training will be provided between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.
        8. Training will provide a minimum of 100 hours of clinical training in the facility.
      • Facility Responsibilities:
        1. Facility staff may not be used to proctor, shadow, or teach the NATP students.
        2. Facility nursing staff will not be decreased because students are training in the facility.
      • Both parties agree to:
        1. Provision for adequate notice of termination.
        2. Both entities must agree to comply with all local, state and federal laws and regulations.
        3. Names and addresses of both parties, including signatures and dates.
      • Clinical Site Contracts
        • A Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) that hires nurse assistants, but does not provide in- house NATP training, must contract with a California Department of Public Health approved Southern California Nursing Academy NATP to provide the required training to its nurse assistant employees. The contract must have adequate provisions to describe the responsibilities of the Department approved NATP to the SNF, and must be approved by the Department. The elements of a contract are similar to the components of the clinical site agreement noted above, except that the NATP will provide all classroom and clinical training. The contract must describe the address/location where the classroom training will occur. If the classroom training will occur at the SNF location, then the contract must also specify the area of the facility, which will be used for the instruction.  A copy of the lease/rental agreement for the facility space must be submitted The area must not be licensed as resident space and must have a separate entrance and egress for students. This area must not infringe on resident privacy. The Department will determine if the space can be approved for classroom student use.
        • The Southern California Nursing Academy NATP shall not use facility personnel as preceptors or instructors.  NATP instructors must not be employees of the facility while teaching.  The SNF DSD may teach an evening or weekend class for the Southern California Nursing Academy NATP school if not employed during those hours with the SNF. The Director of Nursing (DON) in the SNF may not be a NATP instructor, since the DON of a facility is employed full-time and has a twenty-four (24) hour responsibility to the SNF.
  • The affiliated Southern California Nursing Academy facility is in good standing with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and not has any training enforcement restrictions.
  • Our Southern California Nursing Academy NATP Programs has more than one clinical site training agreement in the event that one of our affiliated and valued training long-term care clinical SNF facility comes under sanctions by CMS.

• Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual
  • Southern California Nursing Academy Administrative Policies and Procedures (P&P) Manual
    • Per California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Section 71828, the Southern California Nursing Academy NATP providers has developed and implemented written administrative and management policies governing the program.  A copy of these written policies shall be submitted to the California Department of Public Health during the initial application review and any other time requested by the Department.  The Department has reviewed the policies to ensure compliance with Department regulations/requirements and verified our NATP staff has fundamental operational and regulatory knowledge.
    • Our Southern California Nursing Academy P&P Manual has been presented in a complete, consolidated, and organized fashion. All pages are numbered, and each policy should be contained on separate pages. The Southern California Nursing Academy NATP name is on each page and the pages should be formatted following the provided example.
      • For instance, our P&P include a “Table of Contents Page” and a separate “Forms Section” to include all forms used by the Southern California Nursing Academy NATP. The Department is able able to clearly identify all elements of each policy and verify adequate content.
    • Each policy must include and clearly specify:
      • A policy statement that indicates the rule, regulation or requirement the program expects the employees to follow.
      • A purpose statement to explain the reason for the rule stated in the policy statement.
      • An applicability and scope statement to explain which employees are affected by the policy.
      • A responsibilities statement to indicating which employees is responsible for development, enforcement or implementation of the policy.
      • Itemized procedural steps that identify who, what, when, where, & how details.  The details provided should include adequate instruction for the responsible employee to follow and carry out their job functions and responsibilities as stated in the policy.
      • An effective date, which indicates when the policy comes into force.
  • Southern California Nursing Academy Policies and Procedures (P&P) include one or more policies covering the following categories and addressing all items listed below:
    • Development, implementation, changes, updates and annual review of the P&P Manual. Identify employee(s) responsible for each function and how the training program NATP of Southern California Nursing Academy will ensure staff has adequate knowledge of policies.
      • Provide specific details in order for staff to carry out the policy.
      • Indicate the timeframe for annual P&P review.
      • Include audit form in forms section. (See CDPH Sample Policy and Procedure format)
    • Staffing policy to include job descriptions and qualification for all staff.
      • Policy must include information for Administrator, Instructor, RN Program Director and any other Southern California Nursing Academy NATP staff.
      • Job title listed in Southern California Nursing Academy NATP policies must match and be included in the organizational chart.
        • Instructor and RN Program Director qualifications, the approval process and license requirements must be included.
        • Each responsibility listed in other policies should be included in the job description for the appropriate individual.
        • One individual may hold two or more job titles. Include qualifications and job description for each required job title even when one employee will fill two jobs.
    • Development, changes and maintenance of the organizational chart.
      • In addition to the policy, include an organizational chart that indicates all job titles and lines of authority.
      • The Administrator, RN Program Director, Instructors, and any other positions or job titles providing support to the NATP should be included.
    • Advertising requirements including advertising rules, advertising development and approval processes.
      • The advertising policy must ensure that the NATP will not make any false or misleading claims or advertisements.
      • The NATP may not advertise or guarantee certification to students.
      • Include the compliance monitoring process for advertising and the monitoring requirements and process.
    • Student Enrollment
      • Initial application process to include the submission of the CDPH 283B Certified Nursing Assistant Initial Application (CNA)/Home Health Aid Initial Application (HHA) Form, Live Scan BCIA 8016 form and CDPH 283I form to the Department’s Aide & Technician Certification Section Registry upon student enrollment.
      • Criminal background clearance requirement and process.
        • All students must complete Live Scan fingerprinting upon enrollment and prior to beginning clinical training or direct contact with patients.
        • Southern California Nursing Academy will detail the process for completion and submission of initial CDPH 283B.
          • Students fill out Sections I-III and NATP process to completion of section IV.  Indicate details of the submission procedure.
          • Passage of SB1384 (Chapter 847, Statutes of 2014), contains important information regarding the criminal background requirements.
          • Applicants are encouraged to read this senate bill and incorporate these requirements under this policy topic.
          • The “Disqualifying Penal Code Sections” list no longer applies to CNA’s and NATP applicants.
      • Health requirements and processes to include gathering medical history and physical examination within 90 days prior to student participation in segments of the program involving direct contact with patients.
        • Include the details for determination that the individual is free of active tuberculosis disease as per tuberculin infection testing method(s) recommended by the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and licensed by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
        • Expand upon requirements for when that test is positive; how an x-ray of the lungs must be performed and a certificate from the examining practitioner indicating the individual is free from active tuberculosis must be obtained.
        • Include information regarding the report that must be signed by the physician, physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner and that the report shall be provided to the nursing facility. This report shall also indicate, “the student does not have any health condition that would create a hazard to himself, fellow employees, or patients.”
    • Training Requirements
      • Southern California Nursing Academy NATP schedules Development and implementation.
        • Completed schedule must include all required hours, modules, components and skills per Title 22, §71835(n) as well as the document revision date.
        • Schedule must also include designated makeup times to cover allowable absences per attendance policy.
        • Procedure must include sufficient detail to guide the responsible employee in the development, implementation and Department approval process.
        • P&P must demonstrate that applicant understands the Federal requirements that must be met prior to clinical skills training and required hours and components for course completion.
        • All training schedules must be approved by the Department prior to implementation.
        • The school may include lab practice in the curriculum. Lab practice cannot be counted towards the theory or clinical training hours.
      • Classroom theory training may only be provided at the theory classroom location approved for use with a specific Southern California Nursing Academy NATP identification number.
        • All training must follow the curriculum, lesson plans and NATP schedule that have been approved by the Department for use with this specific NATP.
        • Federally required 16 hours of theory training must be completed prior to direct patient care in the clinical class.
        • The policy must indicate who will be responsible for verifying that each student has completed the training prior to start of clinical training.
        • Standardized forms must be used to document all theory training.
          • The policy of Southern California Nursing Academy must establish whether the NATP will use the CDPH 276C (Individual Student Record)
          • All documentation of student progress must be hand-written.
      • The policy must establish which curriculum the NATP will be following.
        • Southern California Nursing Academy lesson plans are from a model curriculum developed by the Southern California Nursing Academy NATP and uses the Nurse Assistant Training & Assessment Program (NATAP) and Current Most Up-To-Date Guidelines.
        • The procedures clearly detail the process and steps for developing the curriculum and lesson plans.
        • Student attendance (sign-in/sign out) sheets have been developed, implemented and maintained for all training, and include date, printed/typed name of student, student’s signature (beginning and end of each training day), and name and signature of instructor.
  • Clinical facility training must be completed at the Department approved clinical training facility between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.
    • Each clinical Instructor will not have any other duties while providing immediate and direct supervision to no more than 15 students.
    • Policies and procedures must detail rules and processes surrounding clinical site approval, compliance methods to ensure adherence to training schedule and all hours and skills are met per Title 22, §71835.
    • All clinical modules and lesson plans are available for Instructor use and Department review upon request.
    • Southern California Nursing Academy’s NATP personnel consisting of the Administrators, Program Director, and Instructors are responsible to implement chosen curriculum and lesson plans.
      • The policy must include all details for curriculum development.
      • Southern California Nursing Academy Clinical Instructor(s) always provides demonstration of clinical skills at the nursing facility (Department approved clinical site) and always performs student return evaluations for all skills on CDPH 276A Nurse Assistant Training Program Skills Check List.
        • Southern California Nursing Academy NATP cannot waive any skill on the CDPH 276A form pursuant to Title 22, §71835.
        • All skills are to be successfully demonstrated by the student, on a facility resident, with the Department approved Instructor present.
        • Simulation process and exception requirements can be utilized, if a skill cannot be demonstrated on a resident in the facility and Southern California Nursing Academy P&P allows for and details the simulation process if this event does occur.
        • All skills must be evaluated by a Department approved Southern California Nursing Academy Clinical Instructor with hand written documentation, on the date the skill was performed.
      • Sign-in/sign out sheets are required for every day of clinical training.
        • • The sheet should include the date and time of clinical, printed/typed name and signature of instructor, printed/typed name of student, and signature of student.
          • Student attendance sheets will be used by the RN Program Director to verify each student completed 100 hours of clinical training.
  • Course completion and verification processes must be established.
    • Southern California Nursing Academy RN Program Director must verify all hours, modules and components being successfully completed by each student prior to signing CDPH 283B Certified Nurse Assistant Initial Application.
    • This is usually done through a review of the CDPH 276A Nurse Assistant Training Program Skills Check List, CDPH 276C Nurse Assistant Training Program Individual Student Record, student attendance and sign-in sheets (including make-up sessions).
    • The signing of the CDPH 283B Certified Nurse Assistant Initial Application may occur only after the student meets state and federal NATP requirements and is eligible to take the CNA competency exam.
  • Attendance and makeup policies must be established.
    • Attendance records to document both classroom and clinical training hours must be kept.
    • Sign in/sign out (Attendance records) shall include the date and time of instruction, the name and signature of the student, and the name and signature of the instructor.
    • Rule for number of absences per student must be established as only 3 theory or clinical days of course work or clinical skills evaluations that must be made-up “hour for hour” during the makeup days established by Southern California Nursing Academy NATP.
    • Procedures for makeup must include acceptable makeup, which is to be “hour for hour”, for same Modules, components and content as missed and must follow the approved curriculum and lesson plans.
    • The Instructor must be present and available for questions during all training, including makeup.
  • Program Monitoring criteria, processes and timeframes must be established and include specific details of how the monitoring will be completed. 
    • The monitor should verify that the approved Southern California Nursing Academy NATP schedule and the approved lesson plans are being followed.
    • The monitoring should verify documentation is complete, initiated by the proper individual, handwritten and does not contain blanket signatures.
    • Is each student completing all required hours, modules, components, skills prior to the 283B forms being submitted to the RN PD for signature?
    • Monitoring policy must include the frequency of monitoring which should occur at least once for clinical and once for theory for each class. The monitoring should be listed in the job description of the RN PD who monitors the NATP operation and the Administrator who monitors the RN PD to verify compliance monitoring is taking place per the policy. Evaluation tools used for monitoring should be included in the “Forms” section of the policy and procedure manual.
  • RN Program Director (RNPD) Oversight of Multiple NATP Locations or Outside Employment policy must be established.
    • Will the NATP allow the RN program Director to oversee multiple training programs or training locations?
    • If so, this must be included in the RN PD job description.
    • Define the maximum number of NATP program and locations the RN PD may oversee. Will the NATP allow the RN PD to have outside employment?
    • Any policy that allows for RN PD oversight of multiple programs, locations or outside employment requires Department review and approval.
    • The RN PD must submit a letter to the Department listing employers, job titles, hours of employment and employment locations along with a statement describing how all job duties will be met.
    • How will NATP verify that RN PD is meeting all NATP responsibilities as outlined?
  • Recordkeeping and form retention policy must list and provide detailed information regarding all forms and documents to be used, maintained and retained by the NATP for a minimum of four years.
    • Who will be responsible for form development, implementation, completion and storage?
    • Copies for all of the forms listed in this policy should be included in the “Forms” section of the policy and procedure manual.
    • Any form listed in the P&P manual or student handbook, related to NATP evaluation, health exam, and absenteeism or student attendance must be provided as part of the P&P review. 
    • All forms must be current and include a revision date. 
    • Address how security is maintained for documents that are removed from the designated storage locations, such as student CDPH 276A and CDPH 276C forms during training. 
    • Address timeframe for keeping records, they are to remain in a locked location and specify the locked location and those with access.  All student records must be completed and verified by the RN Program Director prior to signing the CDPH 283B.
  • Competency Evaluation Testing may only be performed by CDPH approved testing vendors.
    • Students may only be referred to and test with the American Red Cross or the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program. 
    • The Southern California Nursing Academy NATP policy must include the process for scheduling of testing. 
    • Procedural steps for the content, sources and methods of proving competency evaluation testing information to students must be included.

• Southern California Nursing Academy Student Manual Policies and Procedures (P&P) Manual
  • Southern California Nursing Academy holds a student handbook pertaining to admission, criminal background clearance, physical exam, attendance and course completion. 

Additionally, the Certification Training Program Approval of Southern California Nursing Academy’s NATP was approved for the following:

• Lesson Plans Selected From the Different Modules (e.g., for example, the “Patient care Skills”) Include
  • The student behavioral objective(s)
  • A descriptive topic content with adequate detail (method, technique, procedure) to discern what is taught
  • The method of teaching
  • The method of evaluating knowledge and demonstrable skills
• Student Record Documenting the Clinical Training, including the Skills Return Demonstration for Each Trainee
  • A listing of the duties and skills the nurse assistant must learn
  • Space to record the date when the nurse assistant performs each duty/skill
  • Spaces to note satisfactory or unsatisfactory performance
  • Signature of the approved Director of Staff Development/Instructor
• Individual Student Record Used for Documenting Theory which Include
  • The modules
  • Components of the modules
  • Classroom hours spent on the modules
• A Schedule of Training Which Lists the Theory Topics and Hours and Clinical Objectives and Hours for the Entire Course.
  • Classroom instruction and clinical training are taught in conjunction with one another
• Clinical Site Agreement
• Application for RN, Program Director, DSD/Instruction Application (CDPH 279)

The following forms and documents will be updated accordingly in Southern California Nursing Academy appendices:

• Appendix A: Glossary
• Appendix B: MDS Version 3.0 For Nursing Home Resident Assessment
• Appendix C: CNA/HHA In-Service Training/Continuing Education
• Appendix D: Nurse Assistant Certification Training Program Individual Student Record
• Appendix E: CNA/HHA Initial Application
• Appendix F: CNA/HHA Renewal Application
• Appendix G: NA Training Program Skills Checklist
• Appendix H: Skilled Nursing Facility Nurse Assistant Certification Training Program Application
• Appendix I: Title 22 Regulation Excerpts
• Appendix J: Report of Suspected Elder/Adult Abuse Form