The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Law (OBRA) of 1987 was passed to improve the quality of care in Nursing Centers (NF) and Specialized Nursing Centers (SNF). OBRA requires nursing assistants to complete the 75-hour Nursing Assistant Training Program (NATP) and pass the Competency Assessment Program (CEP) to be eligible to assist residents with ADL and direct patient care.
The legislation further requires all states to include OBRA minimum education standards in their training programs and maintain a state registry of nursing assistants to list all certified nursing assistants who successfully meet training and competency assessment requirements. OBRA Nursing Assistants (NATCEP) and become CNA certified. proving their competence. Federal regulations also direct licensed and skilled nursing facilities to employ only these certified nursing assistants for direct patient care who are enrolled in the Registry and in good standing.
The State of Idaho has also included federal provisions in the State Nursing Assistant Training and Competency Assessment Program. State law requires nursing students to complete the state-approved training program and pass the competency test before applying for an entry-level nursing assistant position. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare prohibits non-certified nursing assistants from performing nursing assistant-related tasks in the state. The Department is also responsible for overseeing the inclusion of federal provisions in the state-approved CNA certification program.
Idaho Nursing Assistant Training Program
The state-approved nursing assistant training program is 120 hours in length, more than 35 hours OBRA requires, and includes 40 hours of clinical training and 80 hours of classroom theoretical education and laboratory trainings. Nursing students complete their hands-on clinical experience in a long-term care facility under the direction and supervision of an RN or LPN. The training program prepares unlicensed auxiliary personnel (UAP) in tasks related to nursing and nursing assistants. Upon successful completion of the training program, nursing students are eligible to challenge the Idaho CNA Certification Test.
Idaho Competency Assessment Test
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has sought the services of a nationally known testing provider, Prometric, to schedule, administer, and score proficiency tests. The Department-approved proficiency test consists of two independent tests, a written/knowledge test and a skill demonstration test. The content of the written test presents 60 questions to be completed in 90 minutes.
The skills test is a competency assessment tool used by the Department to assess the direct patient care skills of nursing assistants. The skills test contains five (5) performance-based skills. Test candidates will have to demonstrate the skills on a client or volunteer, and will be scored on the basis of each skill demonstrated. Successful performance of all five skills passes the test.
Nursing students who fail the CNA exam on their first try may attempt the exam three times within 24 months, but if they fail the exam even three times, they will have to enroll in, attend, and complete the training program once. more to be eligible for a new test. Successful candidates receive CNA Certification in Idaho and are listed on the state Register of Nursing Assistants. Once certified, CNAs help long-term care patients with activities of daily living (ADLs) and provide long-term care to patients in a variety of settings. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare regulates the Idaho Register of Nursing Aides.
Idaho CNA Certification Renewal
The CNA certification in Idaho is valid for 2 years. Certified Nursing Assistants must renew the Certification before it expires on the Registry. Renewal requirements include performance of 8 hours of nursing and nursing related duties for compensation in the last 2 years.
