Nurse Assistant Training Program

Brief Description of Required Coursework and NATP Length and Deadline

The NATP is designed to be completed over five weeks from the beginning of your enrollment date.

• Theory must be completed, including passing all Theory exams with at least an 80% pass rate, before the student is allowed to start Clinical or have any direct contact with patients
• Clinical must be completed successfully to complete the NATP.
• View course outline here. 

Clinical Site Location

Clinical Site: Palm Village Retirement Community Health Care Center, 703 W Herbert Ave, Reedley, CA 93654

Enrollment Requirements

To enroll, prospective students must meet the following minimum qualifications:

• Is at least 16 years of age or older
• Possesses a valid government-issued photo ID (e.g., CA ID, Driver’s License, Passport, Permanent Resident Card)
• Possesses a valid Social Security card
• Is willing and able to participate in and pass a health examination, including TB testing and physical exam
• Is willing and able to complete and pass a criminal background clearance

Eligible applicants must attend a mandatory orientation session. During the session, NATP policies and expectations will be reviewed, and students will receive access to the student handbook.

Application Process

After your application to the LeadingAge California Foundation NATP has been accepted, you will follow these steps:

1. Participate in a phone interview with the NATP to review your application and enrollment requirements

2. Before the NATP start date, attend a virtual orientation session. 
   
   

Technology and Equipment Requirements

Students must have access to a computer or tablet that can connect to the internet to complete this NATP. Use of an up-to-date web browser is required; Chrome or Safari are recommended.

Students are responsible for ensuring they can fully participate in online learning, including having:

• A desktop or laptop computer or tablet device
• Stable internet access
• An up-to-date web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge)
• Audio capability for video-based learning content

No special software downloads are required. Login credentials and access instructions will be provided prior to the start of the program.

Criminal Background Clearance

All students must complete a Live Scan fingerprint background check as required by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) prior to starting clinical training or having any direct contact with patients. This is a mandatory step to ensure eligibility for certification and placement at clinical sites. Please note: Live Scan/Finger Printing is included in your tuition fee.

A criminal background may impact a student’s ability to participate in clinical training or become certified as a Nurse Assistant. Results are submitted directly to CDPH and are confidential.

For questions about disqualifying convictions or requesting an exemption, visit the CDPH website or contact the Program Director for guidance.

Health Examination, Drug Test, and Immunizations

Health Examination

Upon enrollment in the NATP, and prior to starting clinical training or having any direct contact with patients, students must undergo a health examination. This examination must include:

• A medical history and physical examination conducted by a licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner.
• A test for tuberculosis (TB) infection, recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), unless medically contraindicated. If the TB test result is positive, a chest x-ray must be performed (unless medically contraindicated).
• A signed provider report from a licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner, indicating that the student is free from any health condition that could pose a hazard to themselves, fellow students, facility staff, or patients.

Immunizations

Before participating in Clinical, students must provide documentation proof of the following mandatory immunizations. All immunization requirements must be completed and submitted prior to the start of the NATP. This is the student’s responsibility.

• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
• Varicella (Chickenpox)
• Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap)
• Hepatitis B series
• COVID-19 vaccinations (As required by clinical site policies).
• Annual Influenza vaccination is required during flu season (October 1 - March 31)

Drug Test

Students are required to pass a drug and alcohol screening prior to the start of the NATP. No exceptions will be made. This screening must be completed and submitted by the student as part of the enrollment process.

Grade Requirements for Passing the NATP

Theory Evaluation

The Theory portion of the NATP is broken up into modules. At the end of each module, there is a summative exam that the student must take and score at least 80% in order to progress to the next section and complete the Theory portion of the NATP. Students can retake the summative exam until they score at least 80%.

Students pass Theory by completing all content and passing exams with a score of at least 80%.

Clinical Evaluation

During the Clinical portion of the NATP, students have the opportunity to apply the skills learned in the Theory through hands-on patient care under the supervision of the Clinical instructor. To successfully pass Clinical, students must:

• Attend 100 hours of clinical training
• Demonstrate competency in all required clinical skills as outlined in the Skills Checklist, signed off on by the instructor during return demonstrations

Clinical Schedule & Attendance

Clinical training requires a commitment of up to 8 hours per day plus a 30-minute lunch break. The full clinical schedule will be provided during the application process. While schedule changes are rare, they may occur with as little as 24 hours’ notice due to factors like instructor illness, facility updates, or severe weather. Students must be flexible and prepared to adjust. All changes will be communicated via phone, text, email, and the learning management system.

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Tuition and Other Student Costs

Tuition: $2,000

The tuition fee covers the following required services and materials:

• Live Scan/Finger Printing
• TB Test or Chest X-ray (one-time)
• California State Nurse Assistant Certification Exam

Additional Student costs (not included in Tuition):

• Health Examination
• Drug Test
• Basic Life Support (BLS)/CPR Certification
• Stethoscope
• Set of Medical Scrubs
• Gait Belt
• Blood Pressure Cuff
• Secondhand Watch (with a visible second hand for taking vitals)

Note: Costs may vary by provider. Students are encouraged to plan accordingly and complete these requirements before the start of the clinical portion of the NATP.

Refund Policy

The following refund policy applies to students enrolled in the NATP:

• Before the Start of Theory Instruction: Students who withdraw before the first day of theory instruction are eligible for a refund, minus a $250 non-refundable processing
• After the Start of Theory Instruction: No refunds will be issued once the student has accessed or begun any portion of the theory instruction.

Additional Refund Terms

• The $250 processing fee is non-refundable and non-transferable, regardless of the reason for withdrawal.
• No refunds will be granted for any third-party or out-of-pocket expenses, including but not limited to:
  • Live Scan fingerprinting
  • Tuberculosis (TB) testing or chest X-rays
  • State competency exam application or testing fees

Students dismissed from the NATP for academic failure, attendance violations, or disciplinary reasons are not eligible for a refund.

By enrolling in the NATP, students acknowledge and agree to this refund policy.

Payment Terms

 We are committed to making our NATP accessible and convenient for all students. Below are our accepted payment methods and important policies related to tuition payments.

Accepted Payment Methods

We accept the following forms of payment:

• Credit and Debit Cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover)
• Personal or Business Checks (payable to LeadingAge California Foundation) Please note: Returned checks will incur a $25 processing fee. A 3.5% service charge applies to all credit card payments

Payment Due Dates

• Full payment is due upon starting the course, unless you are enrolled under a third-party sponsorship or approved installment plan.
• Enrollment is not confirmed until payment has been received and

Installment Plans

Installment plans may be available on a case-by-case basis. Please contact our admissions team at thegatewayinproject@leadingageca.org to inquire about eligibility and payment schedule options.

Third-Party Sponsorship

If your training is paid by an employer, workforce agency, or other sponsor, documentation must be submitted before the NATP start date. Students are responsible for any unpaid balances if the sponsor does not remit payment.

Need Assistance?

For questions about payments, receipts, or to request an invoice, please contact us at: thegatewayinproject@leadingageca.org or (916) 392-5111

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