Description
Clock Hours: 120 Hours
Theory / Lab / Clinical: 80 / 0 / 40
The Basic Nursing Assistant Training Program (BNATP) at Career Options, Inc. in Park Ridge, Illinois, is a five-week vocational training program designed to prepare students for entry-level work as nursing assistants in healthcare settings.
The program follows the requirements of the Illinois Nursing Reform Act of 1979 and the training standards set by the Illinois Department of Public Health. Instruction focuses on the practical knowledge and patient care skills needed to assist nurses and support patient care in both facility-based and home care environments.
Training is delivered through classroom lecture and discussion, supervised skills instruction, and clinical experience with patients. During the course, students learn the fundamental responsibilities of a nurse assistant, including assisting with daily living activities, monitoring patient conditions, maintaining safety and comfort, and communicating with healthcare teams.
After completing the program, students are eligible to take the Illinois Nurse Aide Competency Examination, administered by Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
Specific Admission Requirements
Applicants enrolling in the Basic Nursing Assistant Training Program must meet the following requirements:
- Applicants must be at least 16 years of age at the time of enrollment.
- A minimum reading comprehension level equivalent to 10th grade is required.
- Applicants must have a valid Social Security Number.
- A physical examination conducted by a licensed physician, including a TB test, must be completed before beginning clinical training.
- A Criminal Background Check (Fingerprinting) will be initiated by Career Options, Inc. through the Illinois State Police in compliance with the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.
- Clinical training includes lifting, direct patient contact, and other hands-on activities that may present a risk of physical strain or injury. Students are responsible for obtaining and maintaining any required insurance coverage during their enrollment in the program.
Potential Places of Employment
Graduates of the program may pursue entry-level positions in a range of healthcare settings, including:
- Physicians’ Offices
- Medical Clinics
- Hospitals
- Diagnostic Centers
- Home Health Agencies
- Home Care Services
- Long-Term Care and Skilled Nursing Facilities
Certification Requirements
A student is considered to have successfully completed the Basic Nursing Assistant Training Program (BNATP) when the following requirements are met:
- Completion of at least 80 hours of classroom instruction and 40 hours of supervised clinical training, including all required instructional content outlined in Section 395.150 of the Illinois Nurse Aide training regulations.
- Demonstration of competency in all Department-approved performance skills required for nurse aide practice.
- Successful completion of the state-approved written competency examination administered as part of the Illinois Nurse Aide certification process.
(Source: Amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 10546, effective June 27, 2013.)
Upon successful completion of the program, students are able to perform the following minimum 21 skills:
| 1. Wash Hands | 12. Ambulate with Transfer Belt |
| 2. Perform Oral hygiene | 13. Feed a Resident |
| 3. Shaving a Resident | 14. Calculate intake/output |
| 4. Perform Nail Care | 15. Place Resident in Side-Lying Position |
| 5. Perform Perineal Care | 16. Perform Passive Range of Motion |
| 6. Give Partial Bath | 17. Apply and Remove Personal Protective Equipment |
| 7. Give a shower or Tub Bath | 18. Measure and Record Temperature, Pulse and Respiration |
| 8. Make Occupied bed | 19. Measure and Record Blood Pressure |
| 9. Dress a Resident | 20. Measure weight |
| 10. Transfer resident to Wheelchair using a Transfer belt | 21. Measure Height |
| 11. Transfer Using a Mechanical Lift |
Following guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health, Career Options, Inc. includes the following additional skills for evaluation in addition to the required 21 skills:
| Hair Care | Care of Eyeglasses |
| Care of Hearing Aid | Care of Dentures |
| Transporting resident in a Wheelchair | Assisting Resident with use of Walker / Cane |
| Serving Meals | Answering Call Lights |
| Assist Resident in Toileting | Making Unoccupied bed |
| Applying TED Hose | Applying Non-skid Footwear |
General Program Objectives/Outcomes
At the end of the Basic Nursing Assistant Training Program (BNATP), graduates are expected to demonstrate the following knowledge and abilities:
- Describe the purpose and services of healthcare facilities and agencies, including various care environments where nursing assistants may work.
- Understand the role of the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) within the interdisciplinary healthcare team, including the scope of practice and its limitations.
- Demonstrate person-directed care qualities by communicating effectively with residents, patients, and healthcare team members using appropriate verbal and written communication techniques.
- Understand and respect resident rights, including recognizing concepts related to neglect and abuse, and comply with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements.
- Provide appropriate support for Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) while applying rehabilitation principles that promote independence and well-being.
- Recognize and respond to the changing needs of residents and clients across the healthcare continuum, including physical, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual considerations.
- Maintain safe care practices through the consistent use of infection control procedures and injury prevention measures.
- Carry out basic emergency procedures when necessary according to facility protocols.
- Demonstrate responsibility for maintaining personal health and well-being to safely perform CNA duties.
Course Outline
Course outline adapted from the Illinois Department of Public Health Model Program.
Module I – Introduction to Health Care
- Functions of healthcare organizations
- Understanding the CNA role within the interdisciplinary team
- The CNA role across different healthcare settings
- Responsibilities of a nursing assistant as a paraprofessional under state and federal regulations
- Information sharing and HIPAA regulations, including legal aspects of health record documentation
Module II – Resident Rights and Relationships
- State and federal regulations that promote resident rights and quality of life
- Holistic care and its components in resident care
- Communication techniques that support therapeutic relationships with residents and healthcare teams
Module III – Infection Control in the Health Care Setting
- Understanding the infection process
- Implementing infection prevention and control practices in healthcare environments
Module IV – Emergency Procedures
- Fire safety, including causes, prevention, and emergency response steps
- Response procedures for natural disasters according to facility emergency plans
- Safety practices and injury prevention when caring for residents
- Facility protocols for incident reporting
Module V – Injury Prevention in the Health Care Environment
- Risk management and relevant state and federal regulations
- The role of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in injury prevention
- Purpose and use of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
- Importance of ergonomics and proper body mechanics when providing care
- Safe use of assistive equipment
- Identifying risk factors related to falls and skin injuries
- Facility policies regarding the use of restraints
Module VI – Care of the Resident
- Providing living environments that support comfort, safety, privacy, and well-being
- Skills for assisting residents with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
- Understanding admission, transfer, and discharge procedures in healthcare settings
- Identifying resident needs using basic nursing process concepts
- Understanding the human body as an integrated system and recognizing common health conditions
Module VII – Fundamentals of Rehabilitation / Restorative Care
- The CNA’s role in rehabilitation and restorative care
- Assisting residents who use adaptive devices
- Observation, reporting, and documentation related to restorative care
Module VIII – End-of-Life Care
- Developing skills and appropriate attitudes toward end-of-life care
- Legal considerations such as advance directives
- Understanding hospice care, caring for a dying person, and the grieving process
Module IX – Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias
- Differences between normal aging and dementia
- Care approaches for residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias
- Promoting a safe and therapeutic environment for residents with cognitive impairment
(Source: Amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 10546, effective June 27, 2013)
Program Schedule
The 5-week program is typically structured as follows:
- 16 hours of classroom instruction and skills training per week for 5 weeks
- 40 hours of supervised clinical practice
Textbooks
- Mosby’s Essentials for Nursing Assistants, 7th Edition – Sorrentino & Remmert
Additional Materials
- Training DVDs and audiovisual learning materials
- Instructional materials for classroom demonstrations
- PowerPoint presentations provided through approved educational resources
- Online and internet-based resources relevant to course topics
Program Cost Full Assessment
| Tuition Fee | $ 1,200.00 |
| Laboratory Fee | Included |
| Registration Fee | 50.00 |
| Book** | 65.00 |
| Uniform | 30.00 |
| Materials & Equipment** (Gait belt, stethoscope) | 30.00 |
| Certification Exam Fee (SIUC) | Pay Online |
| CPR Classes | Separate Fee |
| TOTAL AMOUNT | $ 1,375.00 |
Healthcare Training Starts Here
Questions about programs, schedules, or training requirements can be discussed when you contact us for additional information. Program details can help clarify admission steps and available class options. Staff can provide guidance on training expectations and preparation for enrollment.