The Nurse Aid program is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills to perform basic patient care in a hospital, nursing home, or other medical facility. Students are taught to feed, bathe, and dress patients, change beds, take vital signs, along with tasks associated with the comfort of the patient. The program is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

ADMISSION:

Acceptance to the Nurse Aide program is based upon the applicant meeting the requirements (including necessary academic skills and prerequisites) of the specific program of study. The school reserves the right to deny admission or readmission to any student, if in the opinion of school authorities, his/her admission is not in the best interest of the student or the school. Students must score at or above a 9.0 grade equivalent in the TABE entrance exam. Students are required, upon acceptance and prior to beginning the training, to have a mantoux test. Negative results must be submitted to the coordinator on the first day of class.

State Law (Act 14) requires that all prospective Nurse Aide students obtain a report of criminal history record information from the State Police. This document must be submitted to the training facility prior to admission. Admission may be denied based on information contained in this report. There is a $10 fee for this report.

Medical facilities expect employees to be aware of the professional atmosphere of their business. A mature professional attitude should be a part of each student completing this program. Confidentiality and medical ethics are important qualities of each employee.

This training program is taught strictly to adult students. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. After completing all tests/evaluations required, students will be interviewed.

COURSE OFFERINGS:

The daily class schedule is 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Five 8-week sessions are taught yearly. 144 hours of theory and 96 hours of clinical instruction is provided. Courses include: Role & Function of Nurse Aide, Basic Skills, Personal Care, Basic Nursing Skills, Restorative Care, Mental Health & Social Service Needs.

TUITION:

Tuition for full-time programs is set each year by the school's Joint Operating Committee. Tuition rates may be obtained by calling the Continuing Education Office at (814) 941-TECH (941-8324) or (814 946-8469.  Call the Continuing Education Office for current tuition and a current schedule. All tuition must be paid in accordance with the school's payment policy. There is no refund of tuition or book fees after the first day of class. Tuition reimbursement is available upon employment in a long-term care facility.

FINANCIAL AID:

Financial Aid in the form of state loans (PHEAA) or federal grants is available to students. Currently, these grants are approved for long term, full-time adult training programs. They include Veteran's Educational Benefits, Vocational Rehabilitation, JTPA, Single Parent Homemaker and SPOC (Office of Public Assistance).

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES:

Graduates of this program are prepared for employment in long-term care nursing facilities, private care homes, hospitals or community nursing facilities. To work in a long-term care facility and become certified, graduates must take and pass a written and clinical state examination.

HIGHER EDUCATION:

Students may wish to pursue further medical training as a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse. This training can be found at vocational schools, schools of nursing, or colleges offering the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

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