Certified Nurse Assistant Courses
The AHP 060 is a one-semester nursing assistant courses at É«ÖÐÉ«. Upon completing this course, students are eligible to take the State Competency Exam and receive their State certification as a CNA. To register for this course, students must first have applied to É«ÖÐÉ« and have an established date to register. The Admissions and Records Office can assist with questions on this process. They can be reached at 760-355-6101. For guidance and direction on the AHP 060 Course or any other courses on campus, contact one of the counselors for assistance. The Counseling Office can be reached by calling 760-355-6543 or on the website http://www.imperial.edu/students/counseling/.
To enroll in the AHP 060 course, students must be 17 years of age or older, in good health, and able to lift a minimum of 35lb.
What does a CNA do?
A CNA works in a variety of health care agencies, but most specifically the demand
lies in long-term care such as convalescent homes and skilled nursing facilities.
Certified nursing assistants work under the supervision of a registered nurse. They
provide basic care to the patients. They spend more time with the patient than any
other staff member in the facility. The CNA also helps with taking vital signs, helps
walk the patient, helps patient in and out of bed, helps patient with a bath or shower,
or just maintains the patient's room. CNA's are also used as caregivers for assistance
in the home. Hourly pay can be from minimum wage up to and $17.50 depending on facility
and experience.
AHP 060 Estimated Costs:
Once registered in AHP 060:
After a student has registered in AHP 060, they will receive information by email on how to prepare for this Course. Preparation includes completion of the requirements below for class and clinical training. Students will be given a due date by department secretary usually about one(1) week after class starts. Information below details what is required.
Clearance Requirements*
*Please do not begin any clearance requirement until instructed by department secretary via email.
Physical Exam and Immunizations:
Contact the É«ÖÐÉ« Student Health Center (SHC) for an appointment – 760-355-6310. An appointment is required and the Student ID must be shown. A referral form will be issued to obtain the required vaccinations.
Livescan Electronic Fingerprints:
Obtain one set of electronic livescan fingerprints. You must have the required form with you at the time of appointment, filled in and signed. The link to the form and sample of what information to fill in are below.
Agencies that provide service:
Agency |
Address |
City |
Phone |
I.C. Sheriff's Office |
328 Applestill RD |
El Centro |
760 339-6345 |
Imperial Valley ROP |
687 State Street |
El Centro |
760 482-2600 |
Brawley Parks & Recreation |
225 A Street |
Brawley |
760 344-5675 |
Calexico Police Dept-Records Department |
420 E. 5th Street |
Calexico |
760 768-2140 |
CPR/BLS Card
CPR card must be from the American Heart Association, for healthcare providers.
CPR Course offered with:
David Barham, CPR Instructor 760-960-1046
Background Check & Drug Screen:
Only Background and Drug Screen need to be purchased. COMPLIO is optional.
Textbooks:
Uniform and Accessories:
The required uniform is a scrub top and pants – Dark Aqua Teal – and the Supplier is 5.11 Tactical Store in El Centro - 760-353-9482. Additional materials include:
Nursing Lab Fee:
A lab fee will be charged when registering for AHP 060; this is paid along with registration fees and is not covered by financial aid
State Competency Exam:
After successful completion of the AHP 060 Course, students are eligible to take the State Competency exam. Upon passing the exam, students are eligible to receive State Certification as a nurse assistant. The competency exam has two components, Written and Skills Check-off, and the cost is $100. Students apply directly though the Regional Testing Center of Southern California. The application, practice test questions, testing brochure, and testing locations are available from the website at or by calling 714-895-8708.
Previous Convictions/Misdemeanors
Students must disclose all information to the CA Department of Public Health Services on any and all prior convictions or misdemeanors. Failure to disclose this information may result in the denial of a certificate. The list of Disqualifying Penal Code Sections is found in the State . For questions, students can contact the CA DHPS Registry directly by email at cna@dhs.ca.gov or by phone 916-327-2445.
É«ÖÐÉ« Health Aide (AHP 062)
Prerequisite: AHP 060 and CNA license.
É«ÖÐÉ« offers a É«ÖÐÉ« Health Aide course to students who have completed AHP 060 and have an active California state Certified Nursing Assistant license. This is a 1.5 unit course that offers 25 hours of classroom instruction and 25 hours of clinical training. Upon completing the course, students are eligible for the State É«ÖÐÉ« Health Aide certification. Electronic fingerprints, background check, drug screen, and physical will be required if past one year from the AHP 060 course. Convictions and/or misdemeanors will need to be disclosed.
What does a HHA do?
É«ÖÐÉ« health aides work primarily in the home, working under the supervision of a home health nurse, and employed in home health care facilities. Usually, experience as a certified nurse assistant is required. Hourly pay can be from minimum wage to about $18 depending on the facility and experience.
Advisement:
Students are advised to meet with the Nursing & Allied Health Program Counselor for
guidance and direction on their educational plan. The counselors are located in the
Counseling Department, Building 100.
Nursing Counselors:
Tanya Dorsey - tanya.dorsey@imperial.edu - (760) 355-6543
Maggie Vizcarra - maggie.vizcarra@imperial.edu - (760) 355-6543
Questions regarding expired nurse assistance certifications, renewal requirements,
out-of-state requirements, or compliance issues, contact the State (CA Department
of Public Health) directly at (916) 327-2445 or by email cna@dhs.ca.gov
Questions regarding the State Competency Exam for renewal by taking the exam, contact the Regional Testing Center of Southern California at 714-895-8708 or log on to the website at .
Question regarding preparation requirements, please contact Beatriz Trillas, beatriz.trillas@imperial.edu, (760) 355-6468.