NAR Training Program and Test Site Calls

MDH's Nursing Assistant Registry (NAR) staff will be offering a series of informational calls for nursing assistant training programs and test sites approved by the Minnesota Department of Health.

If you require an accommodation for disability such as captions or other services to participate in the meeting, please contact the Nursing Assistant Registry at least five days in advance of the training session.

• Phone: 651-215-8705 or toll-free within Minnesota at 1-800-397-6124
• Email: health.fpc-nar@state.mn.us

Schedule

All calls will be held from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Central time on the scheduled day. Agendas will be posted on this page closer to the date of the call. A link to a recording of the call will be made available in the Call Documents section for a period of 60 days after the call.

• June 12, 2023

Call documents

May 8, 2023, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. CDT

Agenda:

• CMS 1135 Waiver ending
• Mock Skills
  • Oral care
  • Feeding
• Fourth Knowledge Test update
• Nurse aide testing data
• Nurse aide retesting
• In-facility Testing Pilot update
• Quarterly Testing Data (Q1 2023)
• Resources

May 8 Presentation (PDF)
Minnesota DHS Nursing Facility Employee Scholarship Program (PDF)
Nurse Aide Training Program Call (May 8, 2023) (YouTube): This recording of the May 8 call will be available until August 2023.

April 10, 2023, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. CDT

Agenda:

• CMS 1135 Waiver update and website updates
• Fourth Knowledge Test update
• Top Areas Missed for Knowledge Test and Skills Test
• Skills Review
• Training Program and Test Site survey findings and feedback
• In-facility Testing Pilot update
• Quarterly Testing Data (Q1 2023)

April 10 Presentation (PDF)
Nurse Aide Training Program Call (April 10, 2023) (YouTube): This recording of the April 10 call will be available until July 2023.

February 13, 2023, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. CDT

Agenda:

• Test Data Update
• Public Health Emergency Ending May 11, 2023
• Candidate Handbook Updates
• RN Instructor Responsibilities
• RN Test Observer Training
• Program Coordinator Changes
• Handwashing Skill Review
• Training Program Survey Results
• In-Facility Testing
• Resources Available

February 13 Presentation (PDF)

January 9, 2023, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. CDT

Agenda:

• Test Advisory Panel (TAP) and Knowledge Test Update
• Skills Focused Training Update
• Different Roles in TMU
• Program Coordinator Changes Process
• Quarterly Testing Data
  • Fourth Quarter
• Training Program and Test Site Surveys
• Training Program Feedback
  • Lake Superior College

January 9 Presentation (PDF)

December 12, 2022, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. CDT

Agenda:

• Test Advisory Panel Update
• Day of Testing Changes
• Candidate Responsibilities to Test
• Acceptable Forms of ID
• Email Encryption for Confidential Documents
• Candidate Handbook
• Roles and Responsibilities
  • Training Sites
  • Test Sites

December 12 Presentation (PDF)

November 14, 2022, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. CDT

Agenda:

• CMS 1135 waiver extension
• In-facility Testing Pilot update
• Upcoming TAP sessions
• Knowledge and Skills Tests: top areas missed
• Survey information and revised survey tools
• Responsibility of sites and candidates
• Skills Test scoring
• Training program feedback: Stephanie Grover (Monarch)

November 14 Presentation (PDF)

October 10, 2022, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. CDT

Agenda:

• CMS 1135 waiver extension
• 4th Knowledge Testing opportunity
• Increased Knowledge Test time; testing FAQ resource
• Generating reports in TMU
• MDH/Headmaster TMU training for instructors: common questions
• Training program feedback: Kara Schoenfeld (Sanford Health NA training program)

October 10 Presentation (PDF)

September 12, 2022, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. CDT

Agenda:

• Increased Knowledge Test Time
  • FAQ / Resource
• Updates to CMS 1135 Waiver
• In-Facility Testing Pilot
• Knowledge and Skills Tests: Top areas missed
• Upcoming MDH and Headmaster TMU training for instructors: September 13, 15, 20, and 22.
• Outreach to Training Programs and results
• Training program feedback
• Polling results

September 12 Presentation (PDF)

August 22, 2022

Agenda:

• NATCEP approval process and curriculum requirements
• NATCEP Resource
• Candidate Handbook: Subject areas for Knowledge Test
• Instructor-student test preparation: Review Zoom instructions
• Role of training programs in TMU
  • Completion of students vs. challenge candidates
  • MDH contacting program instructors in TMU
  • Using quality assurance reports
• Knowledge and Skills Tests areas for improvement: No changes from previous month
• End of the Nurse Aide Waiver on June 6, 2022; Last testing date for staff working during the waiver is October 6, 2022.

August 22 Presentation (PDF)

July 11, 2022

Agenda:

• Test Advisory Panel (TAP) for Practice Tests Update
• Review Nurse Aide 1135 Waiver using NATCEP
• Role of training programs in TMU
  • Completion of students vs. challenge candidates
  • Using quality assurance reports
• Knowledge and Skills Tests areas for improvement
• Input from training programs
  • Presbyterian Homes
  • Northfield Retirement Community
  • Alexandria Technical College
  • Heartcert

July 11 Presentation (PDF)

June 13, 2022

Agenda:

• Training and Certification of Nurse Aides 1135 Waiver FAQ
• Knowledge and Skills Tests areas for improvement
• Input from training programs
• Test Advisory Panel (TAP) for Practice Tests Completed
• Testing FAQ, running reports, and other resources
• Training and Test site communications

June 13 Presentation (PDF)

May 16, 2022

Agenda:

1. Training and Certification of Nurse Aides waiver ending
2. Quality Assurance Reports in TMU for training programs
3. Knowledge and Skills Tests areas for improvement
4. Test Advisory Panel (TAP) for Practice Tests
5. Locating Nurse Aide testing
6. Testing FAQ, Candidate Handbook, and other resources
7. Curriculum approval process

May 16 Presentation (PDF)

April 11, 2022

Agenda:

1. Working in TMU
   • Role of training program instructor or alternate in entering students in TMU
   • Editing student records
   • Accessing Quality Assurance Reports
2. RN Supervision of training programs
3. Candidate Handbook
4. Challenge Candidate
5. Testing in MN
6. Frequently Asked Questions and other resources
7. GovDelivery notice for testing changes

April 11 Presentation (PDF)

March 14, 2022

Agenda:

1. Testing Update
2. Working in TMU
   • Role of training programs
   • How to enter students
   • How to use reports
3. Practice test questions available
4. How to find testing in MN
5. Frequently Asked Questions and Resources
6. Sign up for GovDelivery messages

March 14 Presentation (PDF)

February 14, 2022

Agenda:

1. MDH options for Nurse Aides working under the federal 1135 waiver
2. Nurse Aide Competency testing process update
3. HHA test
4. Updates to the NAR website

February 14 Presentation (PDF)