Department of Health | State of Louisiana



MEMORANDUM

TO: Nurse Aide Training School Providers

FROM: Ash-Leigh Garcia, RN, Program Manager

LDH-HSS Nurse Aide Training Program Desk, LA Nurse Aide Registry

DATE: March 27, 2020

RE: COVID 19 Exceptions: Clinical instruction; Competency testing

To address the multiple questions posed in response to the memo “COVID 19 Exceptions: Clinical instruction; Competency testing,” dated March 24, 2020, this communication serves as additional guidance for nurse aide training providers.

The memos and the Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation Request may be found here: . This page will also be updated as necessary.

Changes and/or clarifications are highlighted below.

Process to administer competency test:

1. Once training has been completed, the NATP must request the competency evaluation and instructions using the Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation Request. The request shall be emailed to the Registry, via the dedicated email address HSS-CNA-DSW-Request@, with the name of school and “Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation Request” in the subject line. The Request form must include:

a. Name of program and RN Coordinator;

b. Names of all students that program is requesting to test;

c. Final date of training completion; and

d. Expected date of competency test administration.

2. The Program Desk will provide the NATP with a competency exam, which will include both a written and skills competency portion.

a. The written portion will consist of 50 multiple choice questions.

i. The school may read the written test to the student in a neutral tone if the student desires an oral test.

ii. The school may utilize a Learning Management System (i.e., Canvas, Moodle, etc.) to administer the written portion.

iii. Questions and answer key will be provided to the school.

b. Per CFR 483.154 (c)(4), the skills portion of the competency must be administered and evaluated by a registered nurse. The RN Coordinator shall conduct the skills portion, which will follow the Prometric Clinical Skills Checklist, and must consist of 5 total skills.

i. All students shall be tested on handwashing and indirect care;

ii. Three (3) other skills shall be randomly chosen from the Clinical Skills Checklist.

iii. School must ensure “social distancing” mandates are maintained.

c. The facility must keep copies of the competency exam answer sheets and skills competencies performed for review by the Department.

3. The CNA Registration Form COV19 will be provided to the NATP with the competency exam. The NATP shall electronically submit the CNA Registration Form COV19 to the LA Nurse Aide Registry for all students that successfully complete both the written and skills competency exams. The form shall be emailed to the dedicated email address HSS-CNA-DSW-Request@ in order to have the student placed on the LA Nurse Aide Registry. The email subject line should include the name of the school and “CNA Registration Form COV19.”

• Please note: a student submitted for certification which was not submitted via the Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation Request will not be processed.

Nursing Facilities:

Per memo sent to Nursing Facilities, dated March 22, 2020:

“Trained CNA students who are currently unable to test for certification may work provided that those students can provide a verification of training form from a NATCP and be under the supervision of appropriate staff. LDH can provide to the facility a version of a test that could be administered and with successful completion the student could be placed on the registry.”

1. Nursing facilities who have students that need to test, or have individuals that trained at another school but have not tested, are eligible to work prior to competency testing, provided the facility has verification of successful completion of a nurse aide training program.

2. Programs who have completed all training (i.e., scheduled or waiting to schedule with Prometric) may conduct competency testing for students.

a. Students have three (3) attempts within 12 months to successfully complete both portions of the competency evaluation. If student is unsuccessful after three attempts, student must re-train.

b. If re-test is required, students may test immediately.

3. If your program wishes to test students prior to resumption of Prometric testing, please follow the instructions provided in the memo “COVID 19 Exceptions: Clinical instruction; Competency testing,” dated March 24, 2020. A request should not be initiated until your students have completed training.

Proprietary schools:

Per memo sent to Nursing Facilities, dated March 22, 2020:

“CNA students that are currently enrolled, but whose proprietary schools have closed, may continue to perform clinical studies under the supervision of appropriate staff of the nursing home facility where those clinical studies are being conducted. Upon completion of requirements the nursing facility will be provided a version of a test that could be administered and with successful completion the student could be placed on the registry.”

1. Healthcare facilities are currently required to restrict visitors. Students may be considered visitors by the healthcare facility. Therefore, proprietary programs must contact the nursing facility in which clinical instruction is conducted to determine whether they will allow your program to complete training. The NH’s have indicated a staffing shortage and therefore may assist in the training needs of your students.

2. Online instruction is not feasible for the portion of nurse aide training which requires lab instruction, skills demonstration, and competency evaluation. If your program has a class currently in session, you must ensure “social distancing” mandates are maintained, including use of a mannequin in place of an actor.

3. If class currently in session, and unable to access a nursing facility to perform clinical instruction, lab simulation may be utilized to complete current class. At this time, programs shall not initiate new classes unless partner nursing facility agrees to allow students to conduct clinical instruction.

4. Programs who have completed all training (i.e., scheduled or waiting to schedule with Prometric) may conduct competency testing for students.

a. Students have three (3) attempts within 12 months to successfully complete both portions of the competency evaluation. If student is unsuccessful after three attempts, student must re-train.

b. If re-test is required, students may test immediately.

5. If your program wishes to test students prior to resumption of Prometric testing, please follow the instructions provided in the memo “COVID 19 Exceptions: Clinical instruction; Competency testing,” dated March 24, 2020. A request should not be initiated until your students have completed training.

Community colleges and high schools:

1. Programs who have completed all training (i.e., scheduled or waiting to schedule with Prometric) may conduct competency testing for current students, re-testers, and nursing students, if you have access to a lab. In order to ensure “social distancing” mandates are maintained, a mannequin must be used in place of an actor.

a. Students have three (3) attempts within 12 months to successfully complete both portions of the competency evaluation. If student is unsuccessful after three attempts, student must re-train.

b. If re-test is required, students may test immediately.

2. Programs who have not completed training—

a. If possible, it is encouraged to complete clinical instruction in a nursing home (NH) or SNF unit. However, for those who cannot access a NH or SNF unit, a waiver has been granted which allows lab simulation in lieu of clinical instruction in order to complete clinical training. The lab simulation hours will be in addition to the theory instruction which also include lab/skills instruction.

b. If your program is currently approved for greater than 40 clinical hours, this memo shall serve as approval to decrease clinical training to the minimum of 40 hours for the current school semester, if desired.

• If students have completed 40 clinical hours, you may consider your students as having met requirements.

• If students have not completed 40 clinical hours, students may utilize lab simulation until a minimum of 40 hours have been met.

3. If your program wishes to test students prior to resumption of Prometric testing, please follow the instructions provided in the memo “COVID 19 Exceptions: Clinical instruction; Competency testing,” dated March 24, 2020. A request should not be initiated until your students have completed training and will have access to the appropriate facilities and supplies to conduct the competency exam.

Please contact me at ash-leigh.garcia@ for questions or concerns.

Respectfully,

[pic]

Ash-Leigh Garcia, RN, MCSII

Medical Certification Program Manager

LA Nurse Aide Registry/Nurse Aide Training Programs

-----------------------

John Bel Edwards

GOVERNOR

Stephen R. Russo, JD

INTERIM SECRETARY

SECRETARY

State of Louisiana

Louisiana Department of Health

Health Standards Section

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