Certified nurse aide certification in Rhode Island is necessary before one can apply or work as a CNA anywhere in this state. One should undergo a state-approved training program, pass the state and federal background checks as well as pass the state examinations for certification. One also has to be physically capable of performing the tasks that are delegated to nursing assistants.
Certified nurse aide training can be found on various entities such as community colleges and other private healthcare facilities. The training involves 88 hours of classroom teaching in one community school and an additional 32 hours of practical training under the supervision of a registered nurse in a licensed healthcare facility. Training subjects include in the course are about mental health, basic nursing skills, personal care, emergency procedures, rehabilitation, and communication skills with the patient. Other training facilities offer 100 hours of training which includes 20 hours of practical training for manual skills. The course can be finished within 90 days or between 6-12 weeks depending on the school’s curriculum.
After completing the nurse aide training, one can now apply to take the state examinations. This is done by submitting an application for certification testing to the Rhode Island Department of Health. Requirements to schedule an exam test date are a recent passport type 2 x 3″ photo, and a BCI or criminal background check conducted by the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office dated within two months for those who took training in RI. These exams are conducted at several designated training facilities or even on the school where the training was held. The exam has two parts – a written or oral portion and a practical or manual skills test. There is also a required behavioral check before one can take the test.
The examinations are waived for registered nurses or licensed practical nurses when they apply for the nursing aide registry. They only need to submit their diploma or transcript and fill-up the application form. Testing fees should be submitted to the designated testing site and one should have a proof of identification such as a government-issued ID when he or she arrives at the testing site.
The state also offers reciprocity for those who have active and current certifications as a nursing assistant in other states. They have to be in good standing and should not have been convicted of abuse or neglect of a resident and should also pass the state and federal criminal background checks. They need to submit copies of their certification as a nursing and of undergoing a state-approved training program from that state. The training should have at least 100 hours of both classroom and practical training in order to be allowed to take the license exams in this state.
The certification is renewed every 2 years or 24 months. The applicant should be able to provide proof of at least 8 hours of paid work as a nursing assistant under the supervision of a registered nurse for the past 2 years. Proof of employment include a stub, payroll printout or a notarized letter executed by the employer. Lack of this proof may affect the renewal of the CNA certificate. There is also a required 12 hours of in-service training every year for all personnel employed in a health care facility. You can use the RI Nurse Aide Registry online search verification page to check the status of a license to verify whether it is currently active at any time.
Click this link for the current list of nursing assistant classes in Rhode Island.
Criminal Background Checks
To work as a nursing assistant you’ll have to get certified by gaining entry into the state’s Nurse Aide Registry. If you have never been certified before, then your only option to get into the registry is by passing the state license exam. This exam can only be applied by those who have successfully completed a DOH approved program.
The state requires training programs to consist of at least 100 hours of instructions, which already includes 20 hours of clinical practice. Most programs in Rhode Island offer 88 hours of classroom instructions and 32 hours of supervised clinical practice. You can complete your training within 90 days or 6-12 weeks depending on the program that you choose. When selecting a program, just remember to choose one that’s approved by the Rhode Island Department of Health.
Get the training that you need
The NNAAP exam is divided into two parts that consist of a written exam and a practical demonstration exam. Candidates who have trouble reading can request to take the oral version of the written test. This exam was developed to test the competency of every aspiring nurse aide candidate in the United States. To help sort the competent from the incompetent ones, only those who have completed a state-approved training program are eligible to apply.
The state requires all programs to be finished in less than 90 days, although, the majority of them can be completed within 4 to 8 weeks of continuous training. During the clinical training portion of the program, students must be placed under the supervision of a registered nurse who has trained to handle student nursing aides. Students will be taught about concepts such as infection control, mental health, communication skills, basic nursing care, roles and responsibilities, and many more.
Once you complete your training, you will be allowed to apply for the certification competency exam. You need to prove to the federal and state that you are competent in both knowledge and skills in all things pertaining to nurse aides. The competency exam is divided into a knowledge test and a practical skills demonstration. Candidates can choose whether to take a written or oral exam for the first portion of the competency exam.
CNA Licensure by Testing/Examination
Due to the high number of incidences that occurred in the clinical area that involved healthcare providers, all aspiring nursing aides must not get fingerprinted and pass the national background checks to be listed on the state’s Nurse Aide Registry. You need to make sure that you’ll be able to pass the checks before you begin your search for a training program to enroll in.
Nursing Assistant Training
To become a nursing assistant in the State of Rhode Island you will need to meet several requirements. First, you will need to complete the required number of instructional hours in a state-approved CNA course. Second, you will need to consent to the mandatory background checks with fingerprinting. The last requirement that you need to meet is to pass the state’s nursing assistant certification exam.
What Are the CNA Certification Requirements in Rhode Island