Basic Nurse Assistant Training

Basic nursing assistants perform routine tasks in caring for patients. Under the direction of registered nurses, some of their duties include: aiding patients with getting in and out of bed, walking, performing range-of-motion exercises with bed-ridden patients, bed bathing, shaving, providing oral hygiene, taking temperatures and other vital signs, feeding, changing bed linens, and maintaining the patient's general surroundings.

Employment for nursing assistants and orderlies is projected to grow 5% from 2021 to 2031, as fast as the average for all occupations. As the baby-boom population ages, nursing assistants and orderlies will be needed to assist and care for elderly patients.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics

Requirements:

To complete the BNAT Program, students must successfully complete and demonstrate:

• 21 manual performance skills mandated by the Illinois Department of Public Health
• 64 hours of classroom lecture including Alzheimer’s instruction
• 40 hours of lab demonstration of skills
• Four hours of Emergency Care Education
• 40 hours of clinical rotations at a health care facility

Not only that but students have to attend all lecture/lab/clinical sessions, as well as attain a grade of "C" or better in the BNAT program.

Students who successfully complete this program are eligible to take the written State of Illinois Nurse Aide Competency Exam. After passing this exam, students may seek employment at long-term care facilities, hospitals, and home-health agencies.

Additionally, students must:

• Be 17 years of age before starting the program
• Possess a valid, U.S. Social Security number or ITIN
• Submit to Live Scan electronic fingerprinting and a criminal background check
• Be a currently registered student at Moraine Valley Community College

Complete the Reading Placement Test
Students must qualify for the RDG-089 level OR have achieved a score of 19 or above on the reading portion of the ACT or 480 or above on the SAT. Students may also be excused from taking the Reading Placement Test because of previous college-level academic work. If the reading placement test does not score high enough for RDG-089, the student will need to take and pass the Reading remedial classes with a “C” grade or better before registering for the BNAT course.

Submit to and pass an Illinois State Police Electronic Fingerprint Criminal Background Check with photography
The Illinois Department of Public Health mandates that all students taking this course submit to electronic fingerprinting and photography at least one week before the class begins. This is done on Compliance Orientation Days.  Failure to comply or a “felony hit” will make the student ineligible to take the BNAT course. Fingerprinting sessions will be initiated during the first class session. The fee is $32.50, subject to change.

Complete a Medical History and Physical
The following will be needed during the course: Medical History and Physical Exam, COVID Vaccination, an American Heart Association BLS CPR certification Ecard required, QuantiFERON Gold (one visit), proof of TdaP (tetanus, diphtheria, & pertussis) vaccination in the last 10 years, Documentation of immunity (titers) to Varicella (Chicken Pox), Rubeola (Measles), Rubella, Mumps & Hepatitis B. Results of blood drawn titers verifying immunity to these diseases must be provided.  Booster vaccines must be received if not immune and then an additional blood titer drawn 6 weeks later to verify immunity. Proof of being immunized as a child is not accepted. If you have not been vaccinated against Hepatitis B vaccine (series of three vaccines, you will need to start the series or sign a waiver stating the understanding of possible exposure and risk of acquiring Hepatitis B, a serious disease).

Complete BLS certification
Students are required to obtain an American Heart Association CPR for Basic Life Support for Health Care Professionals certification at least 14 days prior to the start of clinical rotation. No other CPR courses are accepted.

Purchase required course materials:

• Royal blue scrub top and black pants
• Watch with a second hand
• Double-head stethoscope
• Blood pressure cuff
• Course textbook and workbook

*All can be purchased in the Moraine Valley bookstore, located in Building D

Attend the first day of class, all lab, and clinical sessions
To meet the program requirements, attendance at class sessions is required. Students who are absent on the first day of class, lab or clinical sessions or Alzheimer’s training must withdraw from this course if make-up sessions are not available. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Complete Clinicals
After students have submitted their health requirements, completed their criminal background check and fingerprints, all the laboratory sessions, completed the American Heart Association BLS CPR for Healthcare Professionals certification, and earned at least a 78% quiz average, clinical sessions begin. This usually occurs in approximately the sixth week of the course. During a 17-week course, clinical will begin during the eleventh week.

Moraine Valley Community College Notification of Clinical Health Requirements

Moraine Valley Community College partners with healthcare facilities to provide clinical experiences for its students.  These facilities prescribe various health requirements for all students who are placed at their clinical sites.  Students who intend to participate in the clinical component of any program must submit documentation reflecting their compliance with the following clinical health requirements[1] prior to the deadline established by their program of study.

1. Measles (Rubeola) Titer
2. Mumps Titer
3. Rubella Titer
4. Varicella (Chicken Pox) Titer
5. Hepatitis B Titer
6. QuantiFERON-TB Gold Blood Test Annually
7. Tdap Vaccine every 10 years
8. Influenza (Flu) Vaccine Annually
9. COVID-19 Vaccination
10. Physical Exam by Healthcare Professional
11. American Heart Association BLS CPR for Healthcare Professionals every 2 years
12. Background Check Annually
13. Drug Screen Annually (medical marijuana cards are not accepted)
14. Medical Health Insurance – Upload Card Annually

Unless otherwise indicated, in writing, by a student's assigned clinical site, all of the above health requirements must be met before the student may participate in a clinical rotation.

A student who fails to timely submit documentation by set compliance deadlines reflecting compliance with the clinical health requirements listed above may be unable to participate in the required clinical component of their program in a timely manner, and their graduation may be delayed.  The College cannot guarantee clinical placements for students who fail to satisfy all clinical health requirements by the set compliance deadlines.

Inquiries regarding the College’s clinical health requirements may be directed to Ms. Debi Savage MSN, RN-Director of Nursing via (708) 974-5586 or savaged25@ebasd.com.

[1] This list of clinical health requirements is subject to change based upon the policies of the clinical facilities.  Students will be notified, in writing, of any modifications to the list of clinical health requirements.

*These costs are subject to change

How to get certified?

Upon successful completion of the BNAT Program, the student can apply to take the Illinois Nurse Aide Competency Exam. Once the student has successfully passed the exam, he/she is then placed on the State of Illinois Health care Worker Registry.

The Nurse Aide Competency Exam is administered monthly at Moraine Valley Community College. The $67 cost to apply for the competency exam has been included in the BNAT student course fees. Completion instructions for the online exam applications will also be provided to the student upon the successful completion of the course.

Approximately one week after taking the Illinois Nurse Aide Competency Exam, students can check the Health Care Worker Registry for their results here.

Certificate Expiration
You have 24 months without working as a CNA before your certification expires. If your certification has expired and you wish to renew, contact the Healthcare Worker Registry.

Certification Outside the State of Illinois
If you are looking to use your BNAT certificate outside the state of Illinois, you will need to call the health department of the state where you are applying for certification. Tell them you are certified as a Nursing Assistant in the State of Illinois. They will tell you whether your certification can be transferred, or what further steps you need to take to certify in that particular state.

Moraine Valley’s Basic Nurse Assistant Training Program has been approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health and is eligible for seven college credits.

FAQ

Why should I take HSC150, Basic Nurse Assistant Training Program?

1. To determine if health care, specifically nursing, is the career for you
2. To meet the admission criteria to be a CNA required by many nursing programs
3. To obtain a job as a Certified Nursing Assistant

What qualities do I need to become a Certified Nursing Assistant?

• Communication skills: Nursing assistants must be able to communicate effectively, to address patients’ or residents’ concerns. They also need to relay important information to other health care workers.
• Compassion: Nursing assistants provide care for the sick, injured and elderly. Doing so requires a compassionate and empathetic attitude.
• Patience: The routine tasks of cleaning, feeding and bathing patients or residents can be stressful. Nursing assistants must be patient to provide quality care.
• Physical stamina: Nursing assistants spend much of their time on their feet. They should be comfortable performing physical tasks such as lifting or moving patients.

When will the next class start?
Classes are offered during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Sessions are scheduled in the morning, afternoon and evening and are either 11 or 17 weeks in length. Check online for a complete list of HSC-150 sections being offered.

How do I apply to the Program?

1.  You must be at least 17 years of age before the start of class and have a valid Social Security number or ITIN. You must enroll as a student at Moraine Valley Community College by completing an online admission form. You must complete a criminal background check and Live Scan fingerprinting.
2. You must have a documented reading level of 8th grade or higher. Students must qualify for the RDG-089 level OR have achieved a score of 19 or above on the reading portion of the ACT or 480 or above on the SAT. Students may also be excused from taking the Reading Placement Test because of previous college-level academic work. Students who think they may be exempt should meet with an academic advisor. If the reading placement test does not score high enough for RDG-089, the student will need to take and pass the Reading remedial classes with a “C” grade or better before registering for the BNAT course.
3. You can then choose and register for one of the class sections for the Basic Nurse Assistant Training Program, HSC-150.

How do I enroll in the BNAT Program?
Select the section of HSC-150 you would like to enroll in and register for it in person, on the phone (708) 974-2110 (TTY 711) or in MVConnect.

Does HSC-150 fill quickly?
HSC-150 fills quickly, so it is in your best interest to register as soon as possible. Students are encouraged to register for HSC-150 as soon as possible to assure their seat in the class.

If you attempt to register and find that the seats in the class are all full, don't give up! Often times people register for the class and then change their minds for a variety of personal reasons ― family emergency, spouse transfer to another location, pregnancy, etc. Unfortunately, there is no mechanism by which a waiting list could be generated. Therefore, if you attempt to register and find the classes are full, continue to check the enrollments.

Per the Illinois Department of Public Health guidelines, enrollment in each section is limited to 24 students.

Can you describe the BNAT Program?
The program will prepare you to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). You will master competency in the 21 manual patient care skills mandated by the Illinois Department of Public Health. Your training will consist of 64 hours of classroom lecture including Alzheimer’s instruction and 40 hours of lab demonstration of skills. In addition, you will gain hands-on experience by completing 40 hours of clinical rotations at a nearby health care facility. Students who successfully complete this program are eligible to take the State of Illinois Nurse Aide Competency Exam. After passing this exam, you may seek employment in long-term care and assisted-living facilities, hospitals, clinics and home health and hospice agencies.

When and where will I do my clinical training?
After students have submitted their health requirements, completed all laboratory sessions, and BLS CPR for Healthcare Providers certification through the American Heart Association, clinical sessions begin. This usually occurs in approximately the sixth week of the course. During a 17 week course, clinical will begin during the eleventh week.

Clinical sessions are established based on clinical site availability and staff scheduling patterns. They are held at nearby hospitals and long-term care facilities. The clinical experience provides students with the opportunity to perform supervised practice of required clinical skills.

Is CPR Certification included in the BNAT Program?
No. You must obtain a BLS for Healthcare Providers CPR Certification course hosted only by the American Heart Association at the location of your choice. The course is offered here at Moraine Valley. Search CPR under non-credit courses.

Tuition Refunds
Students enrolled in HSC-150 are subject to Moraine Valley's tuition refund policy outlined on this page.

How do I obtain certification after I have successfully completed the BNAT Program?
Approximately one week after taking the Illinois Nurse Aide Competency Exam, students can check the Healthcare Worker Registry for their results here.

How long does my certification last?
You have 24 months without working as a CNA before your certification expires.

If my certification does expire, what should I do?
You have 24 months without working as a CNA before your certification expires. If your certification has expired and you wish to renew, contact the Healthcare Worker Registry.

Is my certification valid in another state other than Illinois?
You will need to call the health department of the state where you are applying for certification. Tell them you are certified as a Nursing Assistant in the State of Illinois. They will tell you whether your certification can be transferred, or what further steps you need to take to certify in that particular state.

I am interested in applying to the associate degree Nursing Program. Should I take the BNAT Program?
The BNAT is a requirement for admission into Moraine Valley’s Nursing Program.