Dec 15, 2024  
2024-2025 Course Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Course Catalog

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Nurse Aide, Certificate

Location(s): Ames Hunziker Center, Ankeny, Boone, Carroll, Newton, Perry VanKirk Center, Southridge, Urban/Des Moines, West Des Moines



The Nurse Aide 75 Hour certificate is designed to provide the knowledge and skills needed to care for patients/residents in a variety of long-term care facilities and to be successful on the Iowa Direct Care Worker registry exam. Successful completion of the exam is required by State Legislation in order to work in a long-term care facility. The Nurse Aide 75 hour course is offered for college credit and is one of the prerequisites to the nursing program. After successful completion of the Nurse Aide 75-hour course the student would then be eligible to take the Advanced Nurse Aide course.

Program Details


Locations: Ames Hunziker Center, Ankeny, Boone, Carroll, Newton, Perry VanKirk Center, Southridge, Urban/Des Moines, West Des Moines


Pathway: Health Science & Fitness


More information on this Pathway.

Students Start: Fall, Spring and Summer semesters


See course schedule for start dates and times.

Registration Information


Students must complete authorization for Criminal/Abuse Background check forms and have successful clearance by the Department of Human Services (DHS) for entry into the practicum portion of the course. Any student who does not have clearance granted by DHS at the time the practicum begins, will follow the college incomplete policy. A student who is denied clearance by DHS will not be eligible to continue the course and would thereby be administratively dropped following discussion with the student. Students will be expected to complete required forms as outlined on the DMACC website: Nurse Aide 75 Hour (Basic) (dmacc.edu)

Semester 1


Total Credits Required to Complete this Certificate - 3


These credits are applicable to the Nursing - Practical, Diploma  and Nursing, AAS  .

Fixed Costs


Tuition……………………………………………………………………………………..$193.00 per credit

The costs for each program are estimates and subject to change.

Varied Costs


Costs  
History/Physical Exam  240
Tuberculosis Testing   40
Flu vaccine (October through April)   30
Textbook and Handbook 100
Uniform, shoes and equipment 115
Iowa Direct Care Worker registry exams 175
Class fee   15

Approximate total certificate costs: $1,294**

**Program entry requirements are not included in the total approximate cost.

What Kind of Work Will You Do?


  • Provide personal daily cares for residents of varied long-term care facilities under the supervision of a nurse. Cares will include assistance with meals, personal hygiene, toileting, bed mobility, transfers and walking.

What Skills and Abilities Will You Need?


  • Apply ethical/legal principles to provide care
  • Practice and provide safe care to patients/residents
  • Perform special procedures for the patient/resident
  • Good communication and interpersonal skills
  • Be able to perform required Nurse Aide skills (see attached performance standards)
  • Student must be able to lift 50 pounds
  • Technology needs: A computer or tablet with webcam/video, microphone, and reliable internet connection is required

  • COMPLETE THE BLACKBOARD FOR STUDENTS TUTORIAL

What Else Should I Consider about this Specialist Certificate?


  • Plan ahead for alternate/backup means of transportation for class
  • Plan ahead for personal responsibilities (Example:child care)
  • Nurse Aides work a variety of shifts including weekends and holidays

Program Competencies


  1. Describe the responsibilities and role of the nurse aide
  2. Identify the role of government agencies in resident care
  3. Describe the characteristics of individuals who live in nursing care facilities
  4. Explain the effects of aging on the body system
  5. List responsibilities of various persons on interdisciplinary team
  6. Describe the role and competencies of the nurse aide in the nursing care facility
  7. Describe the nurse aide’s legal and ethical responsibilities
  8. Outline nurse aide’s role in promoting protecting resident’s rights
  9. Discuss strategies for communication that will build professional relationships with persons served
  10. Evaluate nurse aide skills and ability in working within a team concept
  11. Demonstrate understanding of terms related to infection control
  12. Outline person-centered approaches when supporting physical hygiene needs
  13. Demonstrate the performance of personal skills with a resident
  14. Discuss special considerations associated with caring for an individual with dementia or other cognitive impairment
  15. Describe special considerations for providing nutritional support
  16. Outline the elements to accurately gather, report, and document vital sign information or observations
  17. Identify observations to report to supervisor
  18. Describe how the nurse aide can use the interdisciplinary/ interprofessional care plan in providing resident care
  19. Discuss the normal anatomy and physiology and variants
  20. Describe roles in caring for resident/family in death and dying
  21. Demonstrate competency of nurse aide skills
  22. Outline competencies needed for nurse aide for state certification and employment

AY2022

Nondiscrimination Statement


Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in nor allow discrimination covered by law against any person, group or organization. This includes in its programs, activities, employment practices, or hiring practices, and harassment or discrimination based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information (in employment) and actual or potential parental, family or marital status. Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law. Lack of English language proficiency will not be a barrier to admission and participation in career and technical education programs.

Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint through the College Discrimination Complaint Procedure. Complaint forms may be obtained from the Executive Campus Dean’s office, the Executive Academic Deans’ office, the Judicial Officer, or the EEO/AA Officer, Human Resources. ADA questions and concerns may be directed to the Section 504/ADA Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 6, Ankeny, IA 50023, phone 515/964-6857, dso@dmacc.edu. Title IX questions and concerns may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 1, Ankeny, IA 50023, phone 515/964-6216, Title9@dmacc.edu. Questions or complaints about this policy may be directed to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, John C. Kluczysnki Federal Building, 230 S. Dearborn Street, 37th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604-7204, phone 312/730-1560, fax 312/730-1576, TDD 800-877-8339 Email OCR.Chicago@ed.gov.

DMACC offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study:
Agriculture, Natural and Environmental Science
Architecture, Engineering, and Construction
Arts, Design, and Visual Communication
Business, Management, and Marketing
Education, Public, and Human Services
Health Science
Hospitality and Culinary
Information Technology
Manufacturing
Transportation & Logistics

Entrance requirements for specific programs can be found at Academic Pathway website.(2024)