Nurse Aide Program Checklist

CNA Program Checklist

Print Nurse Aide Program Checklist

DMACC’s Nurse Aide Program is a certificate program that allows students to work in long term care facilities and hospitals. Both Basic Nurse Aide and Advanced Nurse Aide are offered, each having their own benefits. In addition, this program prepares students for Direct Care Worker Registry state testing, one of the requirements for the DMACC Nursing program.

You must meet requirements 1-5 to be eligible to attend a Nurse Aide course. Requirements 5-7 are required to continue to clinical and successfully complete the course.

Entry Requirements

1. Application for Admission

If you are only applying to complete a Nurse Aide course, complete an online DMACC application and select “Non-degree seeking” and the “Nurse Aide” Program (Notify DMACC immediately if your name, address, or phone number changes after you apply.)

•  DMACC Application Portal

All other current DMACC students can register for HSC 172 and/or HSC 182 through myDMACC or by calling Registration.

2. Acceptance to DMACC

If you are completing only the Nurse Aide Certificate, you will receive two letters in the mail after admission to DMACC: one with your DMACC username (900#) and one with your password. Log in to myDMACC and be sure you have access. Contact Tech Support (515-965-7300) if there are any issues with your username and password. This is not a course acceptance letter; you still need to register for your course.

3. Register for Class

Click here for instructions on how to register through myDMACC: DMACC Registration Instructions. You can also call Registration (515-964-6800) or reach out to your Academic Advisor. See the last page of this document for contact information. Register for HSC 172: Basic Nurse Aide and/or HSC 182: Advanced Nurse Aide.

If you are placed on a waiting list, registration@dmacc.edu will notify you via DMACC email if a seat becomes available to add. You will have 24 hours to register for the class.

Course Requirements

• It is recommended that all medical requirements be completed as soon as possible to be compliant prior to the start of clinical.
• You must successfully complete Basic Nurse Aide (172) and be able to provide proof before taking Advanced Nurse Aide (182).
• If you have registered for Advanced Nurse Aide and completed Basic Nurse Aide somewhere other than DMACC, please send your completion certificate to Admissions at: admissions@dmacc.edu.
• Requirements listed in #4-7 must be complete to successfully complete the course. Information, links, and forms will be sent to your DMACC email within 1 week of course registration.

4. Submit Nurse Aide Signature Form

This is a form that allows DMACC to perform a background check in accordance with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations and Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing standards. The form is submitted in Dynamic Forms, using your DMACC credentials to log in. This needs to be submitted at least two business days prior to the start of class and it is required to attend your first day of class. Click here to access the form: DMACC Certified Nursing Assistant SIGNATURE Form.

5. Purchase Books and Supplies

• Books can be purchased either online or in person through the DMACC Bookstore.
• Required Supplies:
  • Scrubs: White top and royal blue pants
  • Watch with a second hand
  • Gait belt
  • Neutral-colored shoes (non-porous preferred)
• Optional: Stethoscope

6. Verified Credentials - Medical & Training Document Manager

• All medical documents and training courses will be submitted here and checked by department staff regularly to ensure compliance with clinical partners.
• Instructions for creating an account will be provided by CNA Instructors through Canvas approximately 24 hours before your course begins.
• Take medical forms to your provider and have them fill them out and sign. Do not leave any blank spaces in any documents. When submitting documents, ensure all documents match the section you are uploading the form to.
• The documents listed below are a requirement per DMACC’s Clinical Partner Contract and are subject to change as the clinical partners update their requirements. Complete documentation is necessary for assigning students to Clinical Partners.
• All forms will be available on Canvas, on the DMACC Nursing website, or can be provided by the Nurse Aide office via your DMACC email. You can also pick them up at the Ankeny location-Building 24, room 212.
• Only COVID and Influenza medical or religious exemptions are accepted. The form can be accessed here: CNA Exemption Form
• Failure to meet the clinical requirements prior to the start of clinical will result in the inability to continue on to the clinical portion of the course.
• Find the required health packet outlined below, here: CNA Student Health and Immunization Packet

A. Health Form Part 1 - Background Information

You may fill out this form, sign, and date it. Please be sure all lines are filled in and there are no blank spaces. If something does not apply to you, put N/A. Health Care Providers must be detail oriented so double-check your work!

B. Health Form Part 2 - Medical History

Your healthcare provider must complete, sign, and date this form. All lines must be filled out and there can be no blank spaces. Put N/A if it does not apply to you. You are required to have a physical within the last year, and the date of your last physical must be listed.

C. Health Form Part 3 - Required Immunization and/or Tests

Your healthcare provider must complete, sign, and date this form. Be sure correct information is listed for each immunization. All your immunizations or tests must be complete, documented, and the form must be signed. An IRIS report can be submitted in place of this form. If you had a titer (lab test) run, please attach a copy of your lab results. You are required to have two doses of: MMR and Varicella and 2 or 3 doses of Hepatitis B (depending on manufacturer) prior to the start of your clinical.

D. Influenza Vaccine Form

Take this form to the provider administering your flu vaccine. The provider must complete the form to verify that you received the vaccine. Required only for courses that include clinical experiences between October and April. ONLY medical or religious exemptions are available. Medical exemptions require documentation from your healthcare provider. Link to the required form can be found here:  Influenza Vaccine Form

E. COVID Vaccination Record

All students must provide proof of COVID vaccination OR an exemption. ONLY medical or religious exemptions are available. Medical exemptions require a note from your provider.

F. TB Testing Form

You must complete TWO separate TB skin (PPD) tests, administered and read by a healthcare provider. There must be a minimum of 7 days between the date the first TB test is administered and when the second TB test is administered. If you have a positive test, you will need to fill out a Symptom Form and have a chest x-ray done. Additional information regarding chest x-ray results and any treatment needed must be documented by provider on the TB section of the form and submitted. A QuantiFERON Gold blood test is also acceptable in place of the skin test and requires the lab report to be submitted.

G. CPR Certification

ONLY Healthcare Provider Level BLS CPR Certification is accepted. Applicable providers include American Red Cross, American Heart Association, DoCPR BLS, and DMACC BLS CPR. DMACC option available here: DMACC Healthcare Continuing Education

H. Training Requirements

The following trainings are provided by DMACC and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): OSHA/Bloodborne Pathogens, HIPPA, and Mandatory Reporter- both child and adult. With successful completion, upload the certificate to your Verified Credentials account. Links for these training courses will be available on Canvas once access to the class opens.

7. Complete Class Assignments & Keep Up with Attendance

A minimum grade of 80% or higher is required to pass the Theory section of your course. Lab and Clinical are pass/fail. You must pass all three sections to successfully complete the class. Attendance is mandatory.

State Testing Information (Optional)

8. Iowa Direct Care Worker Registry (IDCWR)

You have the opportunity to take the Nurse Aide Comp/Written Exam (NRAO 858) and Skills Exam (NRAO 859) for placement on the Direct Care Worker Registry (DCWR). This certification is required to work in Long-Term Care Facilities and is also required if applying to the Nursing Program at DMACC.

Additional Information:

• DMACC Continuing Education offers these exams. Register and pay here: CNA State Testing
• Iowa Direct Care Worker Registry: Iowa Direct Care Worker Registry

Who can I Contact with Additional Questions?

Please reach out to the appropriate contact for any questions you have: