Santa Monica College offers tuition-free noncredit Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) and Home Health Aide (HHA) Pre-Certification programs designed for those interested in becoming healthcare providers. The CNA Pre-Certification program spans 180 hours and equips students with essential skills for entry-level nurse assistant roles in various healthcare settings. Upon completion, students are eligible to take the California Nurse Assistant Competency exam to become certified CNAs. On the other hand, the HHA Pre-Certification program, consisting of 54 hours, prepares individuals for careers as entry-level home health aides providing in-home health and hospice care services.
These programs aim to provide low-cost training, with no tuition fees and most program supplies available for loan. However, students may incur out-of-pocket expenses ranging from $250 to $350 for background checks, drug screenings, and CPR certification. Additionally, students must meet admission requirements, including a clear background check, negative drug screening, a current TB test completed within three months of program start, American Heart Association CPR certification, and COVID-19 vaccination.
For those interested in enrolling, the Health Sciences office can provide further information, and prospective students can reach out to Noncredit Registration at 310-434-3399 or via email at [email protected]. Santa Monica College also offers free Chromebook checkouts to enrolled students who may not have access to a computer.
The CNA program consists of two courses: Health 985 for foundational training and Health 986 for clinical lab training. Similarly, the HHA program includes Health 987 for foundational training and Health 988 for clinical lab training. These programs offer a pathway to obtaining certificates of completion in their respective fields.
It’s important to note that F1 Student Visa holders are not eligible for these noncredit courses. The programs have specific admissions requirements, including background checks, drug screenings, proof of a negative TB test, CPR/BLS certification, proof of COVID-19 vaccination, and flu vaccination during flu season.
| Program Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Cost | Free |
| Program Duration | Less than 2 months |
| Class Schedules | Health 985, Bundy, M/T 7am – 3pm Health 986, Lab, W/Th/F 7am – 2pm |
| Prerequisites | Yes (Background check, drug screening, TB test, CPR/BLS certification, COVID-19 vaccine, flu vaccine during flu season) |
| Certification Eligibility | Yes (CNA and HHA certifications) |
| Location | Santa Monica College, California |
| Phone | 310-434-3399 |
| [email protected] | |
| Website | Santa Monica College |
| Job Placement | No |
| Online Classes? | No |
| Free Classes? | Yes (Tuition-free) |
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