The Arizona CNA course requirements include taking a state approved class consisting of 120 hours. Following this, students may apply to take the exam through Headmaster which is contracted by the state to certify nursing assistants. Provisions exist for aides to challenge the exam if they have had a minimum 75 hour course combined with 45 hours of work or a 120 hour course in another state and have not taken the exam prior. Reciprocity is available for those who are listed on a registry in another state.
The Arizona CNA course requirements exceed federal law, and provide students instruction in skills which they will use to provide care to hospital patients or residents in long term care facilities. These include tasks such as feeding residents, helping a bed ridden patient get dressed, changing linens, helping with toileting and transferring patients using a variety of lifts. Walking with patients using a gait belt provides the caregiver an apparatus to hold onto to help prevent falls. Nursing assistants are trained to recognize both mental and physical problems which occur in residents and how to deal with them. Depression, Alzheimer’s and dementia are all problems which may occur in elderly residents. Physical abilities decline due to age and disease leaving some residents unable to get out of bed by themselves. Knowing how to use foam pads to prevent foot drop and watching for bed sores are just a few of the daily tasks an assistant performs.
++ Related Article: What is a CNA ++
The Arizona CNA course requirements include clinical work as well as instructional. Students will have hands on training after completing a minimum of 16 hours learning and practicing the skills they will need. Hand washing is one of the most important skills to help stop the spread of infection and disease, students will be taught how to do a thorough job and when to do so. This is an ideal training for people who are caring and empathetic and enjoy helping others. Residents are very dependent upon these services and the people who perform them. After finishing an approved Arizona CNA course a student will be eligible to take the state exam to become a certified nursing assistant and placed on the state registry.
Arizona CNA Exam
The Arizona CNA exam is given to students through Headmaster which is contracted with many states to run their testing programs. The test is divided into a written portion and a skills assessment portion with each being graded separately. Students are given three chances to pass each half if they fail on the first attempt. A finger print and background check are required in order to be placed on the registry to be eligible for employment. Students who have not taken the required courses within the state may still be able to challenge the exam if they meet the set criteria consisting of hours of training and actual work. Prospective challengers must sign provide verification of previous training and work experience and sign a waiver to pursue this avenue.
The Arizona CNA exam consists of a two part test, written and skills assessment. The written portion contains 75 questions and the students are allowed up to ninety minutes to finish this portion. The questions are multiple choice and OBRA requires they cover twelve different categories, such as safety, data collections, mental health and resident’s rights. A practice test is available on the Headmaster website which will allow students the opportunity to determine the format of the testing program however it does not guarantee passage of the actual test.
The physical skills assessment portion of the Arizona CNA exam states that all students will have either bed pan and output or perineal care as one of their tasks plus an additional three which are chosen at random. Students are required to score at least an 80% on every one of the skills to pass the test. A 35 minute time limit is set in which students must complete all of their tasks. Reading through these on Headmaster’s site prior to the test will help a student prepare for the test. Every bolded procedure has to be performed for each task or the student will not pass this half of the test. A trained observer watches the student during the skills assessment however they are not grading the test. If a mistake is made the student may go back and correct it prior to stating that they have finished the test.
After passing the Arizona CNA exam a nursing assistant will be placed on the state registry. A list is also kept of disqualified persons and “imposters” who are not able to work in this capacity within the state. Keeping a certification in good standing and up to date requires employment within a two year period. Students who begin working in a nursing home or other long term care facility with one year of their courses may be eligible to receive reimbursement for their education. Passing the Arizona CNA exam is the first step to a rewarding and satisfying career within the medical field.
Related posts: