FAQs

Certified Nurse Aide Information sheet

How do I become a CNA?

  • Successfully complete a training course approved by the, Texas Department of Health and Human Services.  HCC is an approved provider for the Certified Nurse Aide Program. 
  • Successfully complete the examination for registration as a nurse aide in Texas
  • Must have Social Security card or TIN/ITIN
  • Must have primary ID (no copies) of Government/State issued identification to include photo and signature

 

What is the curriculum plan (108)?

  • Lecture/Student Lab (60 hours)
    • Classroom theory, lab practice, skill demonstration.
  • Lecture/Final Exam (4 hours) - last day of class
  • Clinical (44 hours)
    • Offsite within a nursing facility arrange by HCC.
  • After successful conclusion of the 108 hours of training, you will be eligible for the National Nurse Aide Program (NNAAP) state exam. 
    • This includes a written and skills examination.

 

What is the attendance policy?

  • You are allowed ONLY 4 hours absence during the classroom portion.  This includes arriving late and leaving early.
  • You are allowed ONLY 4 hours absence during the clinical portion.  This includes arriving late and leaving early.
  • Perfect attendance is recommended.

 

Admission Requirements

  • Attend a mandatory CNA Information Session.
  • Immunizations:  Can take 4-6 months to complete. 
  • Criminal History Background Check completed within two weeks of class start date.
  • Must have a Social Security card or TIN/ITIN prior to registration.
  • Must have a valid photo identification.
  • Must be able to read, write, speak and understand English.
  • Must be free of communicable disease and in suitable physical and emotional health to safely care for residents
  • Respect confidential nature of medical information
  • Reasonable level of manual dexterity and visual acuity

 

Supplies Needed

  • Navy blue scrub uniform
  • Comfortable, clean sneakers or tennis shoes (must be mostly white)
  • Watch with a second hand and a stethoscope
  • Four scantrons (may be purchase at HCC bookstore)

 

Campus Locations for CNA classes

CollegeAddress
Southeast College

6815 Rustic, 77087 (I-45 @ Woodridge)

Southwest College-
West Loop Campus

5601 West Loop South, 77081 (610 @ Fournace)

Southwest College-Missouri City

1600 Texas Parkway, Missouri City, 77589

Northwest College-Alief Bissonnet Campus

13803 Bissonnet, 77083 (Bissonnet & Eldridge)

Central College-South Campus

1990 Airport Blvd, 77051 (Hwy 288 @ Airport)

Northeast College-Acres Homes

630 W. Little York,  77091

 

How to Register?

  • CNA Program is under Departmental Consent; therefore, students are not able to register on their own. Prerequisites must be completed prior to registration
  • Must attend mandatory CNA Information Session (virtual)
  • Gather copies of all items listed under Admission Requirements
  • Complete and sign an HCC Continuing Education Enrollment Form
  • Email (cna@hccs.edu) scanned copies & the Enrollment Form or bring copies and enrollment form to one of the following HCC CE Locations:
    • Southeast College:  6815 Rustic, 77087 (Monday/Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m – 2:00 p.m.)
    • South Campus:  1990 Airport Blvd, 77051 (Tuesday/Thursdays, 10:00 a.m – 2:00 p.m.)
  • Tuition and fees must be paid online or in-person at the time of registration (checks/credit cards). Payment plans may be set up online or in-person at the cashier’s office.
  • Classes are often full.  Therefore, the only way to guarantee a seat is to complete all perquisites, submit all documentation, register, and pay the tuition.  Registrations without completed payment or payment arrangements 3 days prior to the start of class may be dropped.

 

Payment Plan

 

Needed Prior to Enrollment

  • Signed original Social Security card or TIN/ITIN prior to registration
  • Copy of completed required immunizations
  • Copy of Criminal History Background Check completed within two weeks of class start date

 

How to Get a Criminal History Check

  1. Background reports must be completed within two weeks of class start date. Reports can not be older than two weeks from the class start date.    
  2. Go to website https://publicsite.dps.texas.gov/ConvictionNameSearch/
  3. Click on first link “Criminal History Conviction Search”
  4. Click on link “New User Sign Up”
  5. Select “Individual Account” under “Account Type”, select “Private Email addresses” under “Email address Privacy”
  6. Fill in all required fields
  7. Select that you have read and agree to the site’s Privacy Policy 
  8. Click “Create New Account”
  9. Select that you have read and agree to the above statements in the Caveat, then click “Continue”
  10. Select that you are searching for your own record under “Search Criteria” then click “Continue”
  11. Enter Name/DOB info under “Criminal History Search” then click “Continue”
  12. Modify search data or click “Continue” to purchase credits
  13. Select amount of credits you want to purchase and provide payment/billing information below and click “Continue”
  14. You should view your User ID and password.
  15. Now click “Search Criminal History Database.”
  16. Click “Search Individual.”
  17. Fill in User ID and password.
  18. It will request you to enter a new password.
  19. Check the box marked “I agree to privacy policy.”
  20. Click “Criminal History Conviction Search.”
  21. Click “Search Individual.”
  22. Read all the information. Click “I have read the website caveats and agree to the terms.”
  23. Put in payment method. Fill out credit/debit card information.
  24. Wait for criminal check to print out. If you do not have any criminal convictions, it should read “No Matching Records Found.”
  25. Must submit the complete background check (all pages) to the CNA Program at cna@hccs.edu.
  26. If you have any convictions, please contact the CNA Program at cna@hccs.edu.

 

Immunization Requirements

Proof of the following immunizations is required before entrance into the CNA program.

  • Vaccines administered on or after September 1, 1991 must be include the month/date/year each vaccine was given.
  • Physician-documented history of disease and serum titers must be the date of the diagnosis or test collection, not when the form is signed by the healthcare provider
  • If a student is pregnant, a written statement is needed from the physician regarding immunizations, as well as attending the clinical portion of the program.

Varicella (Chicken Pox)      Proof of either

  • Physician documented history of the disease, or
  • Documentation of 2 varicella immunizations, or
  • A serum titer confirming immunity

Note:  The varicella injection series is a 4-week process.  If the first dose of varicella was received prior to 13 years of age, only one dose is necessary.  Proof of date of birth must be included. 

Hepatitis B     Proof of one of the 3 options below

  1. Complete 3-injection series of Hepatitis B vaccinations

    Note: If received 3 Pedi Hepatitis B during childhood, an additional adult booster is required.

    Note:  Hepatitis B 3-injection series is a 4–6-month process.

  2. Heplisav-B Vaccine

    (Hepatitis B vaccine Recombinant)* 1st injection today, 2nd injection 1 month from the 1st injection. (also accepted by the PCT program) 

    Note:  Heplisav-B is a 1-month process.

  3. A serum titer confirming immunity (positive reading)

    Note:  Serum Titer is a one time blood draw

Measles      Proof of either

  • 2 doses of measles vaccine on or after first birthday, or
  • Record of physician-diagnosed Measles, or
  • A serum titer confirming immunity (positive reading)

Note:  There must be at least 4 weeks between the 1st and 2nd measles vaccination

Note:  Students born before January 1, 1957 are exempt from measles requirement

Mumps    Proof of either

  • 1 dose of mumps vaccination on or after first birthday, or
  • Record of physician-diagnosed mumps, or
  • A serum titer confirming immunity (positive reading)

Note:  Students born before January 1, 1957 are exempt from mumps requirement

Rubella    Proof of either

  • 1 dose of rubella vaccination on or after first birthday, or
  • Record of physician-diagnosed Rubella, or
  • A serum titer confirming immunity (positive reading)

Note:  All students are required to show proof of Rubella.  Combined MMR vaccine is a vaccine of choice if recipients are likely to be susceptible.

Tetanus

Proof of TDaP (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis) vaccination within the last 10 years.

Flu Vaccine

Proof of Flu vaccination for the current Flu season.

Tuberculosis (TB)    Proof of either:

  • A negative PPD skin test, or
  • A negative chest X-ray if skin test is positive or cannot be taken

*Note:  test may not be more than 180 days old (6 months) on the first day of class

 

Sources of Local Vaccines

Harris and Fort Bend County clinics offer immunizations to uninsured. Titers not offered. 

  • Harris County:  5815 Antoine, Suite A, Houston, 77091, 713 602-3300
  • Harris County:  1000 Lee Drive, Baytown, 77520,281-427-5195
  • Harris County:  1730 Humble Place Drive, Humble 77338, 281-446-4222
  • Harris County:  3737 Red Bluff Road, Pasadena, 77503, 713-740-5000
  • Fort Bend County:  303 F.M. 2234, #202, Missouri City, 77459, 281-403-8041
  • Fort Bend County:  4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg,77471-281-342-6414

Concentra
Offers no appointment Flu shots and accepts insurance and self-pay.

 

Express Family Clinic
Spring TX - 281-742-0624
New Caney TX - 281-306-2102
Conroe TX - 936-463-8104
(Titers are $30)

 

Any Lab Test Now 
$49 for Titers or 5 series $179 (MMR, HepB, Varicella)

 

Personal Lab Services 
(Mention HCC for better prices)
7447 Harwin Dr. Ste. 102 Houston, TX 77036  (713)980-0064
Immunizations-$65 each
3 Titers MMR-Hep B-Varicella $135
Individual Titers
Hep B-$65
Varicella-$75
MMR-$95

 

Accommodation Requests

Students requiring special accommodations during class/clinical time are required to self-disclose to the Ability Services Department each semester at the HCC College where the class is taught.

Ability Services Department

 

Required Textbooks

  • Mosby’s Essentials for Nursing Assistants, 10th Edition, by Sorrentino.
  • Mosby’s Essentials for Nursing Assistants Workbook 10th Edition, by Sorrentino (workbook is optional)

 

Tuition and Fees (subject to change without notice)

HCC enrollment fee of $895.  This does not include state exam, textbooks, and supplies listed on this document.