The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) of 1987 was passed to improve the quality of care in nursing facilities (NF) and skilled nursing facilities (SNF). OBRA requires nursing assistants to complete the 75-hour Nurse Aide Training Program (NATP) and pass the Competency Assessment Program (CEP) to be eligible to assist residents with ADL and direct patient care.

In addition, the legislation requires all states to include minimum OBRA education standards in their training programs and maintain a state nursing assistant registry to list all certified nursing aides who successfully meet the Competency and Training Assessment requirements. of OBRA nursing assistants (NATCEP) and obtain the CNA certification. proving your competence. Federal regulations also mandate licensed and qualified nursing facilities to employ only these certified nursing assistants for the direct care of patients listed in the Registry in good standing.

The state of Idaho has also included federal provisions in the state’s Nursing Assistant Training and Competency Assessment Program. State law requires nursing students to complete the state-approved training program and pass the proficiency test before applying for an entry-level nursing assistant position. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare prohibits non-certified nursing aides from performing duties related to nursing aides 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 nurse aide training program lasts 120 hours, more than 35 hours than OBRA requires, and includes 40 hours of clinical training and 80 hours of classroom theoretical training and laboratory training. Nursing students complete their clinical practical 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) for nursing and nursing assistant duties. Upon successful completion of the training program, nursing students are eligible to challenge the Idaho CNA Certification Test.

Idaho Skills 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 skills demonstration test. The content of the written test includes 60 questions to be completed in 90 minutes.

The skills test is a competency assessment tool with the Department to assess the direct patient care skills of nursing assistants. The skills test contains five (5) performance-based skills. Candidates for the test will be required to demonstrate skills to a client or volunteer, and will be scored based on each demonstrated skill. Successful performance of all five skills passes the test.

Nursing students who do not pass the CNA exam on their first opportunity may attempt the test three times within a 24-month period, but if they fail the test even three times, they will have to enroll, attend, and complete the training program once. again to be eligible to retest. Successful candidates receive CNA Certification in Idaho and are listed on the state’s Registry of Nursing Assistants. Once certified, CNAs assist long-term care patients with activities of daily living (ADL) and provide long-term care for patients in varied settings. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare regulates the Idaho nursing assistant registry.

Idaho CNA Certification Renewal

CNA certification in Idaho is valid for 2 years. Certified Nursing Assistants must renew the Certification before it expires in the Registry. Renewal requirements include performance of 8 hours of nursing and compensation nursing-related duties in the past 2 years.