Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)

  • smiling cna student
  • group of cna students
  • cna students practicing lifts

Certified Nurse Assistants handle day-to-day care of patients. The short-term vocational education CNA program is state-approved by the California Department of Public Health and prepares students to work as an entry-level health care provider to patients in a variety of settings, including long-term care facilities. 

The CNA course includes 66 hours of theory and 108 hours of clinical segments. Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to take the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program exam. The course is offered multiple times a year. Students are required to attend a mandatory orientation. 

There is currently high demand for Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs), Acute Care Nursing Assistants, and Certified Home Health Aides in southern California and throughout the state. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists nursing assistants as one of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States. Opportunities for work and upward mobility in healthcare will provide you both job security and exciting challenges for many years to come. 

The CNA and CHHA programs are both licensed through the State of California, Health & Human Services, Department of Public Health, Licensing & Certification Section. The public, prospective students, and applicants can access information and all requirements and forms at CNA Department of Public Health Licensing & Certification.

 

  • Schedule & Information Sessions

    Summer Semester: Night Cohort June
    Closed

    VOC HTH01 Certified Nursing Assistant –3- 4 weeks Theory
    VOC HTH01 Certified Nursing Assistant – 6-7 weeks Clinicals

    Summer/Fall Semester: Day Cohort (August)

  • Program Courses
    VOC HTH01 - Certified Nursing Assistant 
    VOC HTH05 - Health Careers Skills Lab (HCRC)  

    *Students must pass both core/required courses to earn the Certified Nursing Assistant Certificate 

  • Program Requirements
    • Exam must be within 3 months prior to start of clinical 
    • Possess a State Issued ID or Driver’s License 
    • Possess a Social Security Card/ITIN Number 
    • Pass a TB Test (Tuberculosis) or Clear Chest X-Ray 
    • Pass a Physical Exam to confirm good health 
    • Pass a Background check (Livescan Fingerprints) 
    • Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination 
    • Proof of Flu vaccine
    • Immunizations 
    • Drug & Alcohol Test
    • Urinalysis 
    • BLS/CPR for Healthcare Professionals
  • Program Learning Outcomes
    • Students will be employed or seeking employment in the field for a related field.
    • Students will pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program exam.
    • Students will gain employment as a Certified Nurse Assistant in a home setting or a care facility.
    • Students will demonstrate job readiness skills.
    • Students will progress through the health career ladder by enrolling in further allied health career programs. 
  • Apply 

    Complete the application and a member of our team will be in touch with you. Submitting an SCE application does not confirm enrollment into the program.

    Click to Apply

  • Program Costs

    Classes are tuition-free

    Supply/Item Approximate Cost
    Sorrentino & Remmert, Mosby's Textbook for Nursing Assistants $130.00
    Student ID Badge   $10.00
    Supplies $72.00
    Uniforms $70.00
    Health & Physical Exam $203.00
    CastleBranch Background $44.00
    BLS/CPR for Healthcare Professionals $82.00
    TOTAL (Approximately) Textbooks/Materials fees are subject to change without notice. $611.00

Health Care Support Program

  • ELL (English Language Learner) Healthcare Pathways

    The ELL (English Language Learner) Healthcare Pathway Program is designed to provide English language learners with access to vocational pathways in healthcare, which is crucial for ensuring diverse representation and meeting the growing demands of the healthcare industry. We collaborate with non-credit short-term vocational programs in healthcare.

    Learn More