Nursing Assistant (NAT) Training Program
Train to become a nursing assistant in Just 5 Weeks
Upon successful completion, students receive a Certificate of Completion and are eligible to sit for the Massachusetts Nurse Aide State Certification Exam.
Program Overview
The Nursing Assistant Training program (120 hours) prepares students to work in various health care settings such as long-term care facilities and hospitals under the direction and supervision of Registered Nurses (RNs) or Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). Training includes 80 hours of classroom and lab instruction and 40 hours of clinical practice at a nearby long-term care facility.
The NAT program is approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Nurse Aide Registry. Student-to-teacher ratio is 10:1 in the clinical setting.
Upon successful completion, students receive a Certificate of Completion and are eligible to sit for the Massachusetts Nurse Aide State Certification Exam.
NAT Schedule
- Day session: Monday–Thursday, 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM
- Evening session: Monday–Friday, 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Clinical (week 4): Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM
The third week includes a 3-hour clinical orientation on Friday (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM). Students should plan accordingly.
Students are advised to check with their instructor to confirm class meetings.
NAT Theory Grading Policy
NAT Grading Policies
- Students are expected to come prepared to class with all homework assignments completed.
- Students are required to pass written exams (quizzes and a final exam) with a minimum of 75%.
- Students will have the opportunity to retake quizzes up to two times and may retake the final exam one time. There is no fee to retake quizzes and exams.
- If a student does not successfully pass on their last attempt of a quiz or the final exam, they will be dismissed from the program.
- Students are required to demonstrate competency of all skills required in the program. Skills are graded as Pass/Fail.
- Evaluation of competency occurs both in the lab and clinical components of the program.
- In the clinical setting, students are expected to demonstrate respect, truthfulness, reliability, timeliness, and good judgment in providing safe care to residents.
- On the Final Exam, students must score 75% or better.
- One clinical evaluation will be done by each student and marked as Pass/Fail.
Clinical Competency Requirements
Satisfactory
Student consistently meets the criteria established for effective clinical performance.
Needs Improvement
(Did Not Pass)
Student inconsistently meets the criteria. This is considered a failing grade for the clinical portion; however, students will have the opportunity to discuss their performance with the instructor and work to improve to Satisfactory by the end of clinicals.
Unsatisfactory
Student consistently fails to meet the criteria established for effective clinical performance.
Students will be evaluated and provided feedback throughout the clinical experience. Each student will have a post conference with their instructor at the completion of the program to discuss clinical performance and receive a written evaluation.
Any student having difficulty meeting the standards will have a weekly conference with the instructor so that appropriate assistance can be provided and minimum competency can be achieved.
If a Needs Improvement evaluation is not elevated to Satisfactory by the end of the clinical experience, it will be recorded as Unsatisfactory. A Did Not Pass evaluation in one or more areas at the end of the clinical portion will result in an Unsatisfactory grade for clinical performance, and the student will be unable to complete the program.
Program Details and Requirements
NAT Clinical Policy
Students must follow both HHTI policies and the clinical facility’s policies, including rules for attendance, sign-in/sign-out, ID badges, dress code, safety, and confidentiality. Students must report to the clinical instructor immediately upon arrival and before leaving.
Clinical sites may require documentation (for example, immunizations, screenings, background checks, or other onboarding items) prior to participation. Students are responsible for completing required clinical site onboarding by the deadline provided
NAT Clinical Supervision
- Direct one-on-one observation of student skill performance is required when a skill is being performed for the first time with a client.
- Guided independent practice occurs when a student performs a skill independently under supervision, with both the student and instructor confident in its safe completion.
- Periodic observation of student skill performance may take place at any point during a procedure.
- Independent skill performance without direct observation is permitted when the student has demonstrated the ability to perform the skill safely.
The method of supervision is determined by the instructor, taking into account: client safety at all times; demonstrated safe performance in lab and/or clinical; varying levels of observation based on strengths and areas for improvement; and encouraging students to assess and discuss their learning needs with the instructor.
NAT Clinical Record Book Policy
All students are required to maintain accurate and complete documentation of patient care activities in the designated Clinical Record Book, following established facility guidelines and HIPAA regulations. Documentation must be timely, legible, and include all pertinent details. Discrepancies or errors must be reported immediately to the supervising nurse.
HIPAA
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act protects the privacy of patient health information, sets national standards for the security of electronic protected health information, and requires health care personnel to notify the Office of Civil Rights of breaches of confidentiality of patient information.
To remain HIPAA compliant and to protect patient confidentiality, students may not take any photographs of clients. Making copies of the patient record/chart is strictly prohibited. All verbal, electronic, and written information relating to clients and contracted agencies is considered confidential and is not to be printed, copied, or discussed with anyone. Information may be disclosed only as defined in HIPAA guidelines for educational purposes.
A breach of confidentiality will result in disciplinary action, up to and including possible dismissal from the program and investigation by the Office for Civil Rights. More information: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/
Patient Privacy and Confidentiality
Students are held to the same standards that govern employees of clinical facilities. Any student who violates this policy is subject to removal from the program without the option of returning to the school. Civil and criminal penalties may be brought against the student for the misuse of patient personal health information.
NAT Rules During Clinical
Students must adhere to the following standards during clinical training. Failure to provide goods and services necessary to avoid physical harm, mental anguish, or mental illness constitutes neglect. A patient or resident has been neglected if an individual has failed to provide appropriate care, treatment, or service, whether intentionally or through carelessness, resulting in harm to or deterioration of the patient’s condition.
Any student who violates this policy is subject to removal from the program without the option of returning to the school. Civil and criminal penalties may be brought against the student for the misuse of patient personal health information and neglect.
State Exam Information
Upon successful completion of the Nurse Aide Training Program, students will be eligible to take the State Exam to become certified as a Nurse Aide in Massachusetts.
Students are responsible for the Massachusetts CNA State Exam fee of $110. The test vendor is D&S Diversified Technologies: (888) 401-0462 or massachusetts@hdmaster.com. The written portion is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Haitian Creole. Retake costs: $30 (Knowledge Exam), $40 (Audio version), $70 (Skills Test).
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