Basic Healthcare Skills
Short-Term Certificate
Overview
Complete this course to register for the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) examination.
The course content includes communication, infection control, safety and emergency procedures, promoting residents’/clients’ independence, respecting residents’/clients’ rights, basic nursing skills, personal care skills, providing care in a home setting, mental health and social service needs, and basic restorative services.
By completing this course, you:
- Are eligible to take a state-administered competency evaluation test to become a CNA and be placed on the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry
- Fulfill your CNA prerequisite for the nursing program
- Gain clinical experience in the medical field
- Have the ability to start working in the medical field upon successful completion of the course
Prepare yourself with the skills required by the Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) prior to gaining eligibility to become a CNA. CNAs can work in long-term care, assisted living facilities or hospitals. They provide basic healthcare needs for patients under the direction of a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN). In order to work in certain fields, students may need to pass the state-administered competency evaluation test, which is not part of the program.
Locations
The basic healthcare skills certificate can be completed at the COTC Coshocton and Pataskala campuses as well as partner locations in Newark and Mount Vernon to provide students more options.
- COTC Coshocton Campus
- COTC Pataskala Campus
- C-TEC (Newark)
- Knox County Career Center/Knox Technical Center (Mount Vernon)
Future Start Dates
Admission Requirements
This is an open enrollment program. To be admitted, you must submit a free application for admission and complete the standard steps to enroll.
Additional prerequisites:
- You must be 16 years of age or older to enroll.
- A two-step Mantoux test for tuberculosis must be completed by the first day of class.
- A criminal background check (BCI) is required within six months of starting this course.
- You are required to wear a specified uniform.
- Any additional requirements will be shared at the time of registration.
Plan of Study
Short-Term Certificate
Basic Healthcare Skills Certificate
Total hours required: 3.5
The college reserves the right to change curricula without notice.
Published: March 2024
Ohio Department of Health Requirements
- Attendance at the first 16 hours of the course is mandatory in order to continue in the course.
- A physical examination (within the last six months).
- A two-step Mantoux TB test prior to the first clinical.
- Attendance in lecture, college lab and clinical equal to 75 hours.
Central Ohio Technical College Requirements
- Professional uniform and shoes are required to attend off-campus clinical settings.
- Identification badge issued by COTC to be worn during all clinical experiences.
- Own transportation is required to attend off-campus clinical settings.
- Clinical times may vary from scheduled class time.
- State testing examination is available at completion of course; cost is determined by the testing company.
- Applicants to the COTC Nursing programs must be certified with CNA.
Attendance Policy
- Clinical site orientation is mandatory.
- All lab returns must be completed prior to the clinical experience.
- A total of 80 hours in attendance, including class, lab, and clinical, is required to receive a passing grade in this course and a completion certificate from the Ohio Department of Health.
Program Outcomes
Course Goals/Objectives
- Identify Ohio Department of Health requirements for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and requirements for home health aides.
- Discuss aspects of communication important to nurse aides.
- Identify important reasons for infection control procedures.
- Discuss safety and emergency precautions.
- Explain ways to promote the client’s independence.
- Identify legal rights of the nursing home resident and home care client.
- Complete basic nursing care skills at a satisfactory level.
- Discuss theory related to performing basic nursing care skills.
- Identify needs of an aging resident relating to mental health and social services.
- Recognize basic restorative services available to nursing home residents and disabled clients in the home.
- Discuss important differences between care in a nursing facility and care in the client’s home
Continue Your Education
You are encouraged to continue your nursing education. Many students who complete the basic healthcare skills certificate are working to meet the CNA requirement to apply to either the practical nursing certificate program to become licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or the associate degree nursing program to become registered nurses (RN).
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly can I complete the basic healthcare skills certificate?
You can quickly complete the basic healthcare skills certificate in one semester.
Can I take classes online or face-to-face?
You are required to take classes on campus in person for the basic healthcare skills course in person at COTC or one of our partner locations. Depending on the location you may need to be at a location five days per week.
What financial assistance is available to help me pay for college?
The basic healthcare skills certificate is not eligible for financial aid. It is eligible for the Talent Ready Grant to assist you in covering the cost of tuition and fees (up to $2000).
Learn more about the talent ready grant
For more information, contact the Office of Student Financial Services at 740.366.9435 or email NWK-studentfinancialservices@mail.cotc.edu.
*Source: Ohio Labor Market Information (2024)