Program Requirements and Guidelines
Age and Academic Requirements
Academic Performance Levels of Program:
- Mathematics: The state certification exam is written at a 9th Grade - 6 Month level (calculators are not permitted).
- Mathematics: The ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and fractional math is beneficial for students.
- Reading/Writing: The state certification exam is written at a 9th Grade - 6 Month level. The textbook is written at a 7th - 9th grade reading level.
- Science: Knowledge of Biology or anatomy is beneficial for students.
- Students must be able to speak and understand the English language.
Professional Skills of Program:
Certified Nursing Assistant students are also expected to effectively display the following attributes:
- Time Management
- Personal Motivation
- Problem-Solving Ability
- Reliability/Dependability
- Ability to Work with Others
- Ability to Stay Organized
- Accountability
- Accepting of corrections/interventions
- Flexibility
- Regard for regulations
- Empathy and compassion towards others
Requirements for Clinical Eligibility
Students must successfully complete the clinical portion of the program to qualify for the state certification exam. Students will need to maintain the required grade percentage of 78% or above and provide the following to participate in clinical.
Students will need to maintain the following requirements to attend clinical:
- An overall grade average of 78% or above in the course
- 78% on each Module Exam
- Maintain the attendance and behavior policies of the program
- Provide the results of a medical physical exam, results of required TB screening, results of a negative urine drug test, proof of COVID vaccination, and complete a criminal background check.
See below for details of each:
Physical Exam: Students will need a completed physical exam by their health care provider dated after January 1, 2023.
Please note: Physical exams are only valid for one year. If a student’s Physical Exam expires while enrolled in the program, a new physical exam will be required.
This form needs to be given to TCD by Wednesday September 6, 2023.
NO PHYSICAL EXAM—NO CLINICAL EXPERIENCE—NO EXCEPTIONS!
TB Test: Students must have a 2 step TB skin test (or equivalent Quantiferon Gold blood test) performed by their healthcare provider.
The 2-step consists of two TB skin tests done a minimum of 7 days and maximum of 21 days apart. The process to obtain a 2 step TB test will take up to 14 days. It is very important that the student plans to arrange their medical appointment dates prior to 9/6/2023 so their results are available.
The Quantiferon Gold blood test gives a result in a timelier manner. This blood test ONLY requires one visit to the lab to have a blood specimen drawn, and then results are sent to students.
The 2-step TB skin test or Quantiferon Gold blood test must be completed prior to Wednesday September 6, 2023.
NO TB SKIN TESTS – NO CLINICAL EXPERIENCE – NO EXCEPTIONS!
Urine Drug Screen: Students must have a urine drug screen test completed and provide results to TCD pin order to attend clinical. The results MUST be submitted to TCD by Wednesday September 6, 2023.
If a student has a positive result, the student will need to be reviewed by instructional staff and administration before a decision is made about the student being allowed to attend clinical.
NO URINE DRUG TEST RESULTS – NO CLINICAL EXPERIENCE – NO EXCEPTIONS!
Proof of COVID vaccination: Each student will need to provide documentation that they received the Covid Vaccine dose 1 and dose 2.
This is a requirement from the nursing facilities we use for clinical purposes to protect their residents from COVID exposure.
Students who attend clinicals will also be tested for covid prior to entry into the nursing facility for clinicals. Testing will be done by the nursing assistant instructor on the morning of clinical.
NO PROOF OF VACCINATION–NO CLINICAL EXPERIENCE–NO EXCEPTIONS!
Criminal background Check: Students must be entered into the Illinois Healthcare Worker Registry in order to attend clinical. Entry into the registry is also a requirement of IDPH.
This requires a student to have a social security number and valid government issued picture ID. Forms of ID accepted are Driver’s License, State ID or current passport.
Students of TCD are under the age of 18, and IDPH does not require TCD students to have the fingerprinting or criminal background portions of the registry.
However, ALL students MUST be entered into the registry and therefore MUST have the required ID, Social Security and complete the data information sheet in class.
Students must supply a photocopy of their social security card and government issued ID to TCD by Wednesday September 6, 2023.
NO ID OR SOCIAL SECURITY—NO CLINICAL—NO CERTIFICATION—NO EXCEPTIONS
AHA BLS CPR Certification: Students must successfully complete an American Heart Association BLS – CPR certification course that will be taught as part of the NATP Program.
Other Supplies for Clinical Days:
Wrist Watch: Students will need a watch with a second hand. Electronic, digital or apple watches are not allowed.
Shoes and Socks for clinical: White socks and white leather shoes are required for the clinical experience and will be purchased by the student. NO open back CROCs or foot vented CROCS are allowed. Shoes must be closed toe and closed heeled. Shoes must be waterproof and wipeable. No Canvas or Cloth materials are allowed.
Attendance Requirements and Guidelines
Classroom Attendance Policy:
To maximize the student’s learning experience, regular and consistent attendance is required. Students missing more than twelve (12) school days for the entire year, will be removed from the clinical portion of the class and will not be eligible for the state certification exam or college credits. They will be eligible for the high school credit portion only of the class, if the class is successfully completed.
Students who are absent on days when chapter quizzes, module tests, quarterly projects or the comprehensive final test are given will be allowed to make up the quiz, test or project ONLY if the there is a doctor’s note, funeral or court date notice. Documentation is due the day that a student returns to class. Documents will be verified.
If documentation is not provided the student will receive a zero (0%) for any quiz, test or project that is due on the day of the absence.
All absences are to be called to TCD attendance line by a parent or guardian.
Clinical Attendance Policy:
Clinical days are mandatory and limited. It is best for the student to NOT be absent on their clinical days. If a student must be absent from clinical due to illness or injury they MUST call Mrs. Bartels as soon as they know they will not be able to attend clinical. Students will be given a phone number to call when their clinical dates are appointed to them.
When a student calls in sick for clinical they will be put on the “on call” list. If a clinical assignment becomes available they will be called to take that spot. There are NO guarantees that a clinical make up session will be available to accommodate a student’s absence.
**Any student who is absent from a clinical day and doesn’t call Mrs. Bartels will be immediately dismissed from clinical and will be ineligible for the state certification exam and COD college credit.
If a student is going to be late for clinical, they need to call Mrs. Bartels.
The Clinical Experience is viewed as a professional commitment and requires students required attendance and commitment similar to holding a position of employment.
Lab Participation Policy:
Lab practice is a necessary component that helps prepare the students for their clinical experience. Skills will be learned and practiced in a simulated environment with demonstrations and guided practice. Skill testing will be performed at both TCD and in the clinical setting to ensure skill mastery. Students must participate in all lab practices and show proficiency when tested to comply with IDPH and TCD requirements.
**Any student unwilling to participate in classroom skills, lab skills and/or testing may be prevented from attending clinical experience.
Requirements for State Certification Eligibility
Requirements for IDPH Certification Eligibility
Students are eligible to take the state certification exam if they successfully complete the program and meet the IDPH certification criteria, including:
- Maintaining a grade of 78% or higher for each grading period (semesters 1 and 2) through the year
- Passing all 21 required clinical competency skills
- Maintaining consistent professional conduct in the classroom, at your home high school, and in the clinical setting
- Strict adherence to program attendance requirements
- Possessing a valid Social Security number
- Meeting all requirements to attend the clinical experience by the set deadline. This includes a completed physical exam, 2 Step TB testing or serum quantiferon gold results, criminal background check. negative urine drug screen, and completion of Covid vaccine
- Completing the minimum (40 hours) mandatory clinical hours.
- Pass the final exam with a 78% or above score.
- Maintaining a score of 78% or above on each module exam
TCD-COD NATP Grading Guidelines
The course will consist of the following assignments/assessments:
- Chapter quizzes (representing each chapter in the textbook) will be given
- Four (4) Module tests (each covering multiple chapters) will be given during this course.
- One (1) comprehensive test (final exam) that will be given at the end of the program.
- Clinical performance evaluation (based on clinical evaluation by assigned instructors)
- Chapter assignments including: vocabulary related to each chapter’s content, worksheets provided for each chapter and each nursing skill, and/or computer program assignments
- Active participation of skills in the classroom, the laboratory and at the clinical site.
- Four (4) special projects during the year: one project per quarter. Examples: Qualities of a CNA Poster, Skills Pamphlet, Liquid Tray, Alzheimer's Disease Project
Gradebook Calculations:
- Chapter quizzes account for 35% of the student’s overall grade.
- Module tests (4) account for 25% of the student’s overall grade.
- Chapter assignments account for 20% of the student’s overall grade.
- Active participation in skills lab / clinical site performance account for 5% of the student’s overall grade.
- Final exam will be 15% of overall grade. Students MUST score a 78% or above on this comprehensive exam.
Grading Policy:
- Students must maintain a 78% or higher average, for each grading period throughout the year, to participate in clinical and remain eligible for clinical and state certification
- Students must pass the final exam with a 78% or higher to remain eligible for clinical, to earn college credits if requirements are met, and to qualify to take the state certification exam.
- Students must maintain a score of 78% or above on each module exam to remain eligible for clinical, to earn college credits if requirements are met, and to qualify to take the state certification exam.
Grading Scale:
Students are held to 2 grading scales in this course. They earn a standard high school grade that will follow the TCD Grade Scale listed below. Students also earn a COD grade if they meet the requirements from COD. The COD grade is based on the COD Grade Scale listed below.
Retake Policy:
Incomplete Grades:
Homework: