Nursing Assistant

Compassionate Care. Career Ready Skills.

Adult Costs

$285

Program Length

3 months

Next Start Date

3/9/2026

Enroll by

February 26th

Location

Main Campus

Learn More

Your name

Change Lives With Compassionate, Hands-On Care

Discover a fulfilling career improving the health and well-being of others. Learn in-demand skills—from patient care to working collaboratively within a healthcare team—that will prepare you for work within a challenging and rewarding field.

Avg. Salary

$36k

for OTECH Grads

Career Growth

2.70%

by 2032 in Utah

Day in the Life

Your day as a CNA starts by assessing and meeting the needs of your patients. From monitoring vital signs to serving meals and offering a listening ear, you play a vital role in supporting and caring for each patient. Whether you’re working in a hospital, long-term care facility, or home health setting, you are the front line of care—offering dignity, encouragement, and a reassuring presence when it’s needed most.

Career Skills You'll Learn:

Healthcare System Overview

Gain a basic understanding of the healthcare system, human needs and development, and ethics. Distinguish your role as a valued caregiver in the healthcare system.

Patient Care Skills

Learn basic skills to assist licensed nursing personnel, including communication, checking vital signs, and CPR. Learn the basic body systems and how to identify adverse signs and symptoms and when to report to the nurse.

Assist with Daily Living

Assist with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, transferring, ambulating, feeding, and toileting.

Safety

Understand the basics of safety for yourself and your patients, including emergency response and infection control.

Interpersonal Communication

Learn communication skills to provide person-centered care and work collaboratively within a healthcare team.

Clinical Experience

Complete clinical training hours in a long-term care or rehab facility.

Potential Career Paths

Certified Nursing Assistant

Provide essential daily care to patients in a variety of settings, including long-term care facilities, hospitals, and home health.

Phlebotomist (with further education)

Draw blood from patients for medical testing or donations.

Medical Assistant (with further education)

Provide essential support in healthcare settings, handling both administrative and clinical tasks to ensure smooth operations.

Licensed Practical Nurse (with further education)

Provide basic patient care under the supervision of registered nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals.

Registered Nurse (with further education)

Provide direct patient care and collaborate with other healthcare professionals.

OTECH Partners who hire our Nursing Assistant graduates

Program Overview

As a valuable member of the healthcare team, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) work under the direction of a licensed nurse, performing basic duties in a variety of settings, including long-term care and assisted living facilities, hospitals, clinics, home healthcare, and hospice care. The OTECH Nursing Assistant program offers classroom and clinical experiences to prepare students for work in the medical field. Students will gain skills needed to obtain vital signs and assist patients with activities of daily living.

Upon completion of the Nursing Assistant program, students are eligible and prepared to take the state Nursing Assistant Training and Competency Evaluation (NATCE). This is a two-part exam that students must pass to obtain a state certification from the Utah Nursing Assistant Registry and become a certified nursing assistant.

Classroom Hours
Day: M-F 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Day: M-F 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Eve: M-Th 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Enrollment open to
Adults, High school students

Credit transfer options
Available to view here

Tuition & Cost

Estimated Adult Tuition and Fees
$330.00

Estimated Materials Cost
$164.75

Estimated High School Student Cost
$106.00

Financial Aid Eligibility
Scholarship: Yes
VA: Yes
Pell Grant: No

Program Materials
MaterialRequiredNew
Scrubs (Any Color)$40.00
Scrubs (Ciel Blue for Clinicals)$40.00
Aneroid Sphygmomanometer (BP Cuff)$29.99
CPR Card & Mask$25.00
Stethoscope$22.99
Hedman Fuzy Howard Hartman's Nursing Assistant Care Long – Term Workbook. 5th. Hartman Publishing, ISBN: 9781604251388$15.28
Hedman Fuzy Howard Hartman's Nursing Assistant Care Long-Term Care. 5th. Harmtnan Publishing, ISBN: 9781604251371$45.00
Subtotal of required materials$218.26
TENA 1110 Nursing Assistant
MaterialRequiredNew
No Additional Materials Required, See Program Materials List$0.00
Subtotal of required materials$0.00
TENA 1900 Nursing Assistant Clinical
MaterialRequiredNew
No Additional Materials Required, See Program Materials List$0.00
Subtotal of required materials$0.00
  • Students must be at least 16 years old.
  • Must pass a background check.
  • Proof of negative TB test in the last 12 months.
  • Current Food Handlers Permit (permanent or temporary).
  • Signed Human Sexuality Form (for minor students).

The OTECH Nursing Assistant program has rolling start dates throughout the year. If you are interested in enrolling in the program, please review the application deadlines and program start dates below to ensure a smooth application process.

3/9/2026
  • Understand activities of daily living and the nursing assistant’s scope of practice.
  • Demonstrate correct recognition and reporting, communication, infection control, safety, and residents’ rights in the care setting.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in all skills required for state certification.
  • Perform nursing assistant skills in a healthcare setting.
Course Syllabus →
Course NumberCourse NameCreditsCost
NAHA1000Nursing Care Core3$285
NAHA1010 Nursing Assistant Clinical Long-Term Care0.5$48
TENA 1110 Nursing Assistant3$285
TENA 1900Nursing Assistant Clinical0.5$48

Background Check

  • All students must complete a background check.
  • You need a Social Security Number or ITIN to do the background check.
  • Criminal charges from the last 7 years will show up. In Utah, juvenile records are not sealed.
  • You must complete hands-on training at a job site to finish the program.
  • If you have a criminal record, talk to the Program Coordinator before you enroll.

Vaccination Information:

  • The program requires hands-on training at a job site.
  • Students may be asked to provide proof of COVID-19, Hep B vaccination, and flu shots, but they may decline all three.
  • If you have questions, please talk to your Program Coordinator.

Upon completion of the Nursing Assistant program, students are eligible and prepared to take the state Nursing Assistant Training and Competency Evaluation (NATCE). This is a two-part exam that students must pass to obtain a state certification from the Utah Nursing Assistant Registry and become a certified nursing assistant.

Nursing Assistant Testing Information
utahcnaregistry.com

Diane Sorenson, RN

Diane serves as the Coordinator of the Nursing Assistant Program. She has more than 30 years of nursing experience in home health, assisted living facilities, and hospital settings. Prior to becoming the program coordinator, Diane was privileged to work alongside many nursing assistants in a variety of clinical settings. She enjoys being a part of the wonderful team of instructors at OTECH who are training and mentoring the next generation of nursing assistants. She earned her Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Ricks College. Diane enjoys interacting with and encouraging students as they pursue their goal to become successful members of the healthcare industry.

Office Hours (by appointment)
M-Th 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Fri 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Location
Health Tech 219B

diane.sorenson@otech.edu

801-627-4179