Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) have worked collaboratively to create Jean Ribault High School’s Nursing Assistant Program.
Program Director: Calandra Legare
Email Nursing Assistant C. Legare
Program Sequence
9th grade: Medical Skills- The purpose of this course is to assist students in making informed decisions about their future academic and occupational goals and to provide information regarding careers and skills in the Health Science career cluster. The content of this course includes, but is not limited to: employability and communication skills, legal and technological aspects of health care, medical mathematics, services provided by health science professions, mental health and wellness, occupational safety, and basic health science skills
10th grade: Health Science Anatomy and Physiology - This course is part of the secondary Health Core consisting of an overview of the human body, both structurally and functionally with emphasis on the pathophysiology and transmission of disease.
11th grade: Health Science Foundations - This course is part of the Secondary Health Core designed to provide the student with an in depth knowledge of the health care system and associated occupations. Emphasis is placed on communication and interpersonal skills, use of technology, ethics and the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students may shadow professionals throughout the course.
12th grade: Nursing Assistant 3 - This is a course designed to prepare the student to provide/assist with all aspects of activities of daily living for the adult patient in both hospital and nursing home settings. The course, which is taught by a registered nurse, includes didactic instruction, skills practice in the laboratory and clinical experience. Emphasis is also placed on the development of communication, interpersonal, problem solving and critical thinking skills.
Upon successful completion, the student is eligible to apply to sit for the Florida State Certified Nursing Assistant exam which qualifies as industry certification.
28.0 Use verbal and written communications specific to nurse assisting. The student will be able to:
28.01 Obtain specified data from patient and family.
28.02 Utilize verbal and written information to assist with the patient's plan of care.
28.03 Demonstrate use of the communication system.
29.0 Demonstrate legal and ethical responsibilities specific to nurse assisting. The student will be able to:
29.01 Discuss and demonstrate legal and ethical behavior within the nursing assistant scope of practice including role limitations in Florida.
29.02 Describe the purpose of the chain of communication to resolve conflict.
29.03 Follow policies and procedures affecting the health, safety, and well-being of patients.
29.04 Demonstrate safe standards of patient care including prevention and quality of care
29.05 Exhibit behavior supporting and promoting patients’ and/or residents' rights.
29.06 Recognize potential for and prevention of medical errors.
29.07 Practice the proper procedures to follow regarding medical errors.
29.08 Follow policies and procedures affecting the health, safety, and well-being of patients.
29.09 Recognize and report signs of substance abuse.
29.10 Demonstrate the understanding of vulnerable population abuse and reporting procedures per agency.
29.11 Recognize that a C.N.A. must self-report any crimes they’ve been involved in within 30 days of the offense in accordance with (456.0727(1)(w), F.S.).
29.12 Define Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA).
29.13 Define Minimum Data Set (MDS).
30.0 Perform physical comfort and safety functions specific to nurse assisting. The student will be able to:
30.01 Implement appropriate regulatory and accrediting agency patient safety guidelines.
30.02 Maintain safe patient units, equipment, and a comfortable environment.
30.03 Maintain service areas on the units including supplies and equipment.
30.04 Observe, report, and record changes in the patient's behavior as needed, including mental awareness.
30.05 Demonstrate adjustment of bed and side-rails according to facility policy.
30.06 Demonstrate and assist patient to dangle.
30.07 Demonstrate lifting, supporting and transferring patients from bed to chair, bed to bed, and bed to stretcher, including the use of the various assistive devices and equipment while utilizing proper body mechanics and patient safety measures
30.08 Demonstrate the proper use of a gait/transfer belt in both transfer and ambulation.
30.09 Assist patient in ambulation, including the use of crutch, cane, or walker.
30.10 Demonstrate the proper wheelchair safety techniques and assist patient as needed with use.
30.11 Apply supportive devices as directed (e.g., footboard, over-bed cradle, alternating pressure mattress).
30.12 Assist patient with care and use of prosthetic/orthotic devices.
30.13 Describe emergency procedures utilized in the clinical area(s) and the role of the nursing assistant in these procedures.
31.0 Provide personal patient care. The student will be able to:
31.01 Perform bed bath; observe and report changes in a patient including skin and level of consciousness.
31.02 Assist with shower or tub bath, including the use of specialty tubs or prepackaged disposable-bagged bath.
31.03 Administer back rub with bath and as needed.
31.04 Assist patient with hair care utilizing sink, tub, shower, bed or shower cap.
31.05 Demonstrate the use of a safety and/or electric razor to shave the patient.
31.06 Demonstrate how to groom patient, including hair, skin, foot, hand and nail care.
31.07 Assist with and/or administer oral hygiene including denture care.
31.08 Assist patient to dress.
31.09 Assist patient with toileting using various types of restorative and rehabilitative equipment.
31.10 Assist patient with use of bedpan (standard and fracture)
31.11 Assist with bowel and bladder training.
31.12 Assist and/ or provide perineal care.
31.13 Empty, measure and record urinary output and/or drainage.
31.14 Demonstrate application and use of a leg bag, leg strap and dignity bag.
31.15 Monitor and assist with the drainage of urostomy bags and colostomy bags.
31.16 Assist patient with both donning and doffing prosthesis and brace.
31.17 Assist patient with meals.
31.18 Describe the relationships of body systems when providing patient care.
31.19 Recognize abnormal signs and symptoms of common diseases and conditions when providing patient care.
32.0 Perform patient care procedures. The student will be able to:
32.01 Demonstrate ability to accurately measure, record and report vital signs.
32.02 Assist with the admission of a patient and/or resident.
32.03 Assist with the admission, transfer, and discharge of a patient and/or resident.
32.04 Maintain patient-belongings list.
32.05 Make unoccupied/occupied bed.
32.06 Provide passive range-of-motion exercises.
32.07 Apply anti-embolic hose and sequential compression devices.
32.08 Understand and demonstrate proper collection of routine, timed urine and clean catch urine specimens.
32.09 Record fluid intake and output (I&O).
32.10 Observe, record, and report patient's emesis.
32.11 Monitor and provide urinary catheter care and drainage systems.
32.12 Assist with ostomy care including emptying or changing ostomy bags that do not adhere to the skin.
32.13 Collect stool specimen.
32.14 Assist with the collection of a sputum specimen.
32.15 Assist the nurse with care of the patient with complex medical needs.
32.16 Assist patient to apply binders.
32.17 Care for patient in skin and skeletal traction.
32.18 Assist with pre-operative and post-operative patient care.
32.19 Reinforce dressings under the supervision of the RN/LPN.
32.20 Obtain and record an apical pulse.
32.21 Provide cast care and/or pin care.
32.22 Provide care for eyeglasses, artificial eyes, and contact lens.
33.0 Apply principles of nutrition. The student will be able to:
33.01 Identify nutrients and food groups.
33.02 Develop a basic food plan.
33.03 Describe special diets.
33.04 Check patient's diet tray for accuracy.
33.05 Monitor and document Nutritional Intake.
33.06 Identify and implement regional, cultural and religious food guidelines/preferences.
33.07 Demonstrate knowledge of the need for thickened liquids and fluid consistency.
33.08 Identify methods of maintaining fluid balance including encouraging and restricting fluids.
34.0 Provide care for geriatric patients. The student will be able to:
34.01 Identify and assist with methods and procedures to prevent pressure ulcers.
34.02 Identify and assist with methods to prevent falls in the elderly.
34.03 Identify and assist with safety principles as related to the elderly.
34.04 Describe general characteristics, particular needs, and age related changes of the elderly.
34.05 Identify attitudes and living habits that promote positive mental and physical health for the elderly.
34.06 Distinguish between fact and fallacy about the aging process.
34.07 Apply reality orientation techniques and validation therapy unless it is contraindicated by the patient diagnosis.
34.08 Recognize and respond appropriately to symptoms of common diseases, including dementia, depression/suicide and Alzheimers.
34.09 Provide and involve patients in diversional activities.
34.10 Identify common alterations in elderly patient behavior.
34.11 Provide care for patients with special needs (e.g., impaired hearing, impaired vision, immobility, impaired body functions, cognitively impaired (dementia)).
34.12 Demonstrate awareness of common behaviors in drug use and abuse in the elderly.
34.13 Report concerns to the nurse and appropriate authorities related to drug use and abuse in the elderly patient.
34.14 Identify the need for community resources and services available to the elderly and their caregiver.
34.15 Identify components of the grief process.
34.16 Demonstrate an understanding of end of life care, hospice and palliative care.
35.0 Apply the principles of infection control specific to nursing assisting. The student will be able to:
35.01 Discuss transmission-based precautions.
35.02 Identify the chain of infection.
35.03 Provide care for patients with infectious diseases applying the principles of "Standard Precautions" utilized with all patients as well as special procedures required.
35.04 Apply the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for all types of isolation including donning and removing PPE appropriately.
35.05 Follow isolation procedure with food tray, PPE, and other supplies/equipment.
35.06 Collect specimen from patient in isolation.
36.0 Provide biological, psychological, and social support. The student will be able to:
36.01 Discuss family roles and their significance to health.
36.02 Respond to patient and family emotional needs.
37.0 Perform supervised organizational functions, following the patient care plan. The student will be able to:
37.01 Organize and prioritize patient-care assignments.
37.02 Complete assignments accurately and in a timely manner.
38.0 Assist with restorative (rehabilitative) activities. The student will be able to:
38.01 List the purposes of restorative (rehabilitation) program.
38.02 Assist patient with specified restorative (rehabilitation) needs.
38.03 Assist patients/residents to reach the optimum level of independence.
Course Purpose
This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the Health Science career cluster; provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of Health Science career cluster.
This course is designed to prepare students for employment as nursing assistants SOC Code 31-1014 (Nursing Assistants) in nursing homes, hospitals, or other health care facilities.
The content includes, but is not limited to, interpersonal skills, medical terminology, legal and ethical responsibilities, safe and efficient work, gerontology, nutrition, pet-facilitated therapy, health and safety including Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) – heart saver level, and employability skills.