Nursing Assistant Class

Nursing Assistant Class Information

What are the duties and responsibilities of a Nursing Assistant Certified (NAC)?

The NAC performs a variety of direct patient care activities and other nonprofessional services necessary in caring for the age-related, personal needs, and comforts of patients/residents, while under the general supervision of a licensed nurse. Much of the basic day-to-day care of the patient/resident is delegated to the NAC, such as bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, and assisting with resident meals. NAC activities are crucial to helping patients/residents attain and/or maintain their highest level of functioning.

Other responsibilities of an NAC are:

• Takes accurate vital signs.
• Notifies appropriate licensed staff when patient complains of pain.
• Positions patient in bed with proper body alignment.
• Assists patient with ambulation as necessary.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/healthcare errors.
• Supports and maintains a culture of safety and quality.
• Identifies and communicates findings to the nurse.
• Notes condition of skin and checks for pressure ulcers.
• Recognizes, responds, and reports resident emotional, social, cultural, and mental health needs.
• Works as part of the interdisciplinary team.

Ferry County Public Hospital District (FCPHD) offers a Washington State accredited NAC course. Our course is a total of 146 hours of instruction and observation by an approved nurse instructor, which includes 56 hours of theory, 50 hours of skills lab, and 40 hours of hands-on clinical in the hospital setting. The next class will be offered September 14, 2026 – October 29, 2026, Monday – Thursday evenings from 5pm-9pm. Five additional 8-hour shifts of clinical are required to be completed between October 30, 2026, and November 14, 2026. These five clinical shifts will be from 6am-2:30pm.

Prior to class, prospective students will be required to pass both a background check and drug screen. Students accepted into the program must be able to physically perform the duties of a NAC, which include, but are not limited to sitting, standing, lifting, moving, and transferring patients.

Upon completion of this course, graduates will be prepared to take the Washington Nurse Aide Written and Skills exams to receive their NAC and will have the opportunity to apply for open NAC positions here at FCPHD. Please note: although the course is offered free of charge, there are fees for books, a food handler’s card, Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, and application fees for state testing, and NAC licensing. Out of pocket expenses for class, certifications, and licensing are $380 and are paid by each student.

NACs are a critical part of our healthcare team. Come join us on your education journey!