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Imperial Valley College

 Health Assistant (AHP 060)

Below is a list of items you will need, the expenditures, and a description of the items needed, to prepare for the AHP 060, Health Assistant Course.  Items needed include textbooks, uniforms, fingerprints, physical and PPD skin test, and liability insurance (provided by IVC).  During class, you will obtain your Basic Life Support Provider Card (CPR) and at the end of the course, be eligible to take the State Exam.  The instructor will go over these requirements with you on the first day, and the course syllabus will indicate when items and fees are due.

Required Textbook and Workbook: 

Alvare, Nursing Assistant Care, Hartman Publishing, ISBN 1-888343-80X

Alvare, Nursing Assistant Care Workbook, Hartman Publishing, ISBN 1-888343-818

CPR Materials:   A Basic Life Support Provider class will he held during the program.  Students must obtain the book and mask from the IVC Campus Bookstore.  Once the class is completed, students will obtain the BLS Provider (CPR) card to be able to go to the hospital area.  The card will be current for two (2) years

283B Nurse Assistant Application:  This application from the CA Department of Health Services (CA DHS) is required to process a nurse assistant certification.  Students will complete this application twice during the program; at the beginning of class AND when preparing to take the State Exam.  Students can download the application from the testing center website at www.regionaltestingcenter.org under Nurse Assistant Certification.  Your instructor will collect these during class.  A fee is no longer required along with this application. 

Electronic Fingerprints:  Students will need one set of electronic (livescan) fingerprints prior to entering the hospital area.  The form required to obtain fingerprints will be distributed in class.  A copy of your form must be sent along with the above 283B application to CA DHS.  A list of agencies that offer livescan fingerprinting will be distributed in class.  Fees are required to process electronic fingerprints ranging from $32-54.00 depending on where fingerprints are obtained.     

Liability Insurance:  A $13 malpractice liability insurance fee must be paid to the IVC Cashier’s Box along with the tuition for the class.  This fee is due BEFORE going to the hospital area.  This insurance is NOT for health services but is required to cover any negligence related issues on the students’ part in the hospital area.  Students pay into a blanket policy provided by the College and are covered while in training only. 

Health Form (Physical/PPD):  Arrangements will be made for all students to get their physicals through the IVC Student Health Services area in the DSPS Office.  The course instructor will schedule dates and times during class to have these done.  Services include:  Head-to-toe physical, immunizations-MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) and Td (Diptheria/Tetanus Booster) and PPD Skin Test.  Health forms will either be distributed in class or completed at the time of the physicals.  These services are part of the $14 student health services fee students pay at the time of registration. 

Uniforms:  Uniforms consist of the scrub top, pants, and white shoes.  The color of the uniform varies according to each class but its always a white shoe; tenni shoes are acceptable.   Students can purchase their uniforms at Phoenix Uniforms, next to Food 4 Less in El Centro, or any other uniform place of their choice.

State Competency Exam:  Before the end of training, your instructor will schedule the date and time for the State competency exam.  The date and time will also be included in the course syllabus.  Testing is always conducted on a Saturday at 8:00am in the 2100 Health Sciences Building.  The exam is two sections:  A 70-question written exam and a 20-minute manual skills check off where you are checked off by an RN.  Both sections must be passed to obtain official certification from the State.  Certification cannot be obtained without the State exam.  A money order fee of $85 is required at least one month prior to the exam.  The application and money order are turned in to the IVC Nursing Office.  For information about the exam, how to register, and to download the application, logon to the website at www.regionaltestingcenter.org 

Conviction Screening:  It is important that students disclose all information to the Department of Health Services on prior convictions.  Failure to truthfully disclose this information may result in the denial of a certificate.  Students should review the list of Penal Code Sections found in the State website at www.dhs.ca.gov that may result in automatic denial of an application for certification.  Students can also email the CA DHS Registry at cna@dhs.ca.gov for specific questions.  The State (CA DHS) can only approve certification for applicants with convictions if the applicant has obtained a Dismissal or Certificate of Rehabilitation from the court in the county where the conviction(s) occurred. Applicants with disqualifying convictions may send Certificates of Rehabilitation (for felonies) or Dismissals (for misdemeanors) with their applications.  However, CA DHS will not make any determinations on self-declared convictions until it has received the applicant's complete record from the Department of Justice (DOJ).   Students who have enrolled in an AHP 060 course and need additional assistance should meet with the IVC Director of Nursing

For additional questions, please contact the IVC Nursing Office at (760) 355-6348 or email the Nursing Administrative Secretary at laura.hartsock@imperial.edu