Educational Programs

Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide

Program description

Nursing assistants and home health aides are essential members of today’s healthcare teams, performing hands-on resident/client care and routine tasks for individuals of various ages and health conditions. MCTC’s program provides basic skills training, including the fundamentals of how to check and monitor vital signs and deal with a wide range of resident/client needs.

Program start and location

Courses are offered each semester. All courses are taught on MCTC’s downtown Minneapolis campus.

Degree options and requirements

Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide Certificate—5 credits
Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide Extended Hour Certificate—6 credits
Acute Care Option—3 credits

Click here for program and course information.

What you will learn

  • MCTC’s Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide coursework will prepare you to perform routine healthcare tasks for today’s increasingly diverse population.
  • The courses cover human physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs; health and illness; death and dying and resident/client/employee rights.
  • You will learn behavior management, infection control and the importance of being a responsible and dependable member of a healthcare team while focusing on resident–centered care vs. institution–centered care.
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  • You will receive training in basic skills (bathing, dressing, grooming, exercising and toileting) and learn how to check and monitor vital signs—blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respiration and pain.
  • You will have the opportunity to apply your skills during on-campus laboratory exercises and clinical experience in a Minnesota Department of Health-approved long-term care facility.
  • You also will learn the fundamentals of wellness and stress management for the caregiver.
  • Upon completion of the coursework, you will be eligible to take the NATO (Nursing Assistant Test-Out) exam and be placed on the Minnesota Department of Health’s Nursing Assistant registry.
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Points of pride

  • This program is approved by the Minnesota Department of Health.
  • This program provides the foundation for potential entry into MCTC’s Nursing program.
  • You will work with experienced faculty members with decades of experience.
  • MCTC’s diverse student body population prepares program participants to work with people from a variety of cultures and backgrounds.

Where you could work

  • Nursing homes
  • Home healthcare agencies
  • Assisted living facilities

Potential job titles

  • Registered nursing assistant
  • Home health aide

Occupational outlook

Overall, employment of nursing and home health aides is projected to grow by 18 percent through 2018, which is faster than the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many of the new jobs will be in nursing and residential care facilities, and growth will be particularly robust in community care facilities for the elderly.

Beyond-the-classroom opportunities

Overall, employment of nursing and home health aides is projected to grow by 18 percent through 2018, which is faster than the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many of the new jobs will be in nursing and residential care facilities, and growth will be particularly robust in community care facilities for the elderly.

Academy

This program is part of the Academy of Nursing, Counseling and Allied Healthcare. Click here for more information.

Articulation Agreements and Common Course Outlines

Please contact the program dean for information about articulation agreements.

Click here for Common Course Outline information.

Health

MCTC’s Health programs will help you join the growing health care industry. Our programs provide hands-on training from experienced instructors, giving you the skills you need to succeed in these fields.

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