Classroom Hours
Day: M-F 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Day: M-F 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Eve: M-Th 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
As a valuable member of the healthcare team, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) work under the direction of a licensed nurse performing basic duties in a variety of settings including: long term care and assisted living facilities, hospitals, clinics, home health care and hospice. The OTECH Nursing Assistant program prepares students with the skills needed to obtain vital signs and assist patients with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, eating and toileting while focusing on safety, infection control and professionalism. Successful completion of the Nursing Assistant program qualifies the student to sit for the state certification exam.
The Nursing Assistant program is designed for students to receive their certification by completing coursework in classroom and clinical settings.
Program Objectives
Upon completion of this program, students will have met all requirements set forth by the Utah Nursing Assistant Registry (UNAR) and prepare them to sit for the required state exam which earns them the title of Certified Nursing Assistant (C.N.A.). Students will:
Admissions advisors help potential students explore college programs, become familiar with the resources available (including financial assistance), get in touch with instructors and more. Contact or visit Admissions to learn more.
Admissions Advising Information → Location: Student Services 101
Diane serves as the Coordinator of the Nursing Assistant Program. She has more than 30 years of nursing experience in home health, hospice, assisted living facilities and hospital settings. Prior to becoming the Program Coordinator, Diane was privileged to work side by side with many nursing assistants in a variety of clinical settings. She is now very excited to be part of the wonderful team of instructors here at OTECH who are instructing and training the next generation of nursing assistants. She earned her Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Ricks College. Diane enjoys interacting with and encouraging students as they pursue their goals of becoming successful members of the healthcare industry.
Office Hours: M-Th: 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Fri: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., by appointment | Location: Health Tech 219b
Student support specialists are professionally trained and available for all students at the college. They are available to assist students who have questions regarding their program, progress and attendance, and program changes. The specialist can assist students with campus and program policies or procedures, student rights, as well as the policy and processes involved in student complaints. The student support staff is also available to discuss personal/family matters, address emergency situations, and provide referrals to college and community services.
Meet with KC → Location: Health Tech 107B
Learn the skills necessary to assist patients in a variety of healthcare settings. The Nursing Assistant program prepares students to assist licensed nursing personnel through hands-on skill instruction and practice in a real-world setting. Skills include communication, checking vital signs, CPR, assisting with activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, transferring, ambulating, feeding, toileting), and more.
Students gain a basic understanding of the healthcare system, ethics, human needs and development, communication, infection control, basic safety, proper body mechanics, emergency response, nutrition, cognitive impairment, mental illness, body structures, diseases, and the aging process. This knowledge is applied to assist patients with the activities of daily living.
Students learn the vital communication skills necessary to provide person-centered care to patients and to work collaboratively within the healthcare team.
Students complete clinical training hours in a long-term care or rehab facility to prepare them for their CNA career, using the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom with real patients.
After successful completion of the Nursing Assistant program, students are eligible and prepared to take the state Nursing Assistant Training and Competency Evaluation (NATCE). This is a 2-part exam which students must pass in order to obtain a state certification from the Utah Nursing Assistant Registry to become a certified nursing assistant.
Why become a CNA?
Want to train as a CNA but aren’t able to attend school full time? If you need a program that will fit your schedule, our flexible learning model may be your answer. Classes are offered year round with new class start dates twice a month.
