Kankakee Area Career Center

Certified Nurse Assistant Training Program Information

Students enrolled in the Health Occupations CNA Training Program at KACC can become a CNA (Certified Nurse Assistant). Registered Nurses (RN’s) who are certified to teach the CNA program through the Illinois Department of Public Health teach the Health Occupations I program at KACC.

In this program, students learn basic nursing skills such as vital signs, nutrition, rehabilitation, and patient care to prepare them for continued education at the collegiate level, including 2-year, 4-year, and university levels in the healthcare field.

Review the Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) sections below:

College Credits

Industry Certifications

Requirements & Costs

Career Opportunities

Personal Qualities

Schoolwide KACC Training

Questions on Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)? Contact KACC Today!

Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) College Credits*

KACC's Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) is embedded with college-level coursework. Students may have an opportunity to earn dual credit hours at Kankakee Community College.

* Dual College Credits are subject to change (last reviewed Sep 2023). Please email KACC for more information.

Kankakee Community College
PNUR1438: Certified Nursing Assistant - 8 Credit Hours Students must meet community college standards and the KCC requirement of an Accuplacer test score.

Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) Industry Certifications*

* Industry certifications are subject to change (last reviewed Sep 2023). Please email KACC for more information.

Certification issued by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)
- When students meet IDPH and KACC guidelines and maintain at least an 80% test score average, the student may sit for the certification exam.

American Heart Association Basic Life Support CPR Certification

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) COVID19 Certificate

Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) Requirements & Costs*

* Requirements & Costs are subject to change (last reviewed Sep 2023). Please email KACC for more information.

Class Fee is due and payable to Kankakee Area Career Center within the first week of school. The fee per year is $160. The fee covers the cost of a skills bag, CPR Card, IDPH required fingerprint/background check, picture ID badge, and textbook.

White uniform pants and navy scrub top

White tie shoes for clinical

Watch (must have second hand)

Black pens

Folder/Binder

Pocket notebook

Notebook/loose-leaf paper

Name badge purchased through KACC

COVID vaccine is highly recommended, if not vaccinated medical facility at the clinical site may require weekly testing.

A two-step TB test and Influenza vaccine are offered on-site at KACC through the Kankakee County Health Department or may be done separately through the local health department, family physician, or occupational health department at the student’s expense.

Fingerprint Background Check: Performed at KACC.

A drug screen may be a requirement of the medical facility in which clinical hours are earned.

Flu Shot: When flu shots become available in the fall, students must have the shot or agree to work with a mask on during clinical hours.

Hepatitis B Vaccine: Recommended. Student expense.

After successful completion of KACC’s and State IDPH requirements, C.N.A. Training program, students will be eligible to sit for the CNA State Exam. The estimated fee is $75. The fee is at the student’s expense and will be paid directly to the testing site.

Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) Career Opportunities

Several career opportunities exist for students who complete the Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) program. Here are a few examples.

Nursing: Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Registered Nurse (RN), Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic

Radiology

Pre-Med

Occupational Therapy

Respiratory or Physical Therapy

Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) Personal Qualities

Students can enhance their experience in the Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) program by possessing the following key personal qualities.

Patience

Communicate effectively

Adaptability and flexibility

Compassion and ability to calm others

Ability to stand for long periods

High level of attention to detail

Schoolwide KACC Training

Significant benefits are available to students who remain focused and diligent at KACC. The staff at KACC enjoys supporting our youth in achieving their dreams beyond high school. We have established the following to assist our community to flourish post-high school years. Please review our Workplace Excellence Badges, Career Coaching, and Specific Benefits Gained Through KACC sections below.

Workplace Excellence Soft/Essential Skill Badges Earned

ADAPTability	COMMUNICATIONability
DEPENDability	REASONability
PRESENTability	WORKability
SUITability	TRANSITIONability
RESPECTability	WRITEability

Super Badge: Solidifying collective competency in all of the above areas

Career Coaching

Online Portfolio

Cover Letter

Introduction Letter

Resume

Reference Letters

LinkedIn Profile

Interviewing Skills

Career Exploration

Financial Planning

Scholarship Essay Writing

Specific Benefits Gained Through KACC

2 Year CTE Diploma - Recognizing students who attended KACC for 2 consecutive years
- Received an Attendance of 90% or higher
- Received a "B" Average or better (1st year entirety, and at least the first 3 semesters of the 2nd year)
- Received competency (90% or higher) in employability skills, and
- Received a Workplace Excellence Super Badge

KACC Student Advisory Committee

SkillsUSA participation and recognition on state and national levels & scholarships offered

National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) qualification & scholarships offered

KACC Scholarships are offered to all KACC Seniors who apply

Hands-on experiences through KACC class and internship opportunities through established connections to business and industry through KACC

Classes taught by those who have succeeded in the jobs they represent

Positive referrals and evaluations from KACC teachers about work students have completed while at KACC further student engagement to showcase their skills.