Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

This is an in-person meeting for a 4-hour training session.

To verify the status of a LIMA, check the DHSS registry at Welcome | MO TMU (tmutest.com) https://mo.tmutest.com. IF the LIMA does not show on this registry, email the Department of Mental Health (DMH) registry at: [email protected] and provide the person’s legal name at the time of certification and the last four digits of the social security number. If they do not show in either system, they may not be registered in Missouri, or they may be certified under a different name.

Any LIMA who has been off the active registry for more than five (5) years shall retake the course, or s/he may challenge the examination if s/he meets the requirements as listed in the regulation.

Level I Medication Aides participate in a minimum of four (4) hours of medication administration training every two (2) years in order to administer medications in an assisted living facility or residential care facility. 

There is no book, course or computer work. This is an in-person 4-hour training session.

TRAINING ADDRESSES THE FOLLOWING and is approved by both DHSS and DMH:

1. Medication ordering and storage;
2. Medication administration and documentation;
3. Use of generic drugs;
4. Infection Control;
5. Observing and reporting possible medication reactions;
6. New medications and/or new procedures;
7. Medication errors;
8. Individual rights and refusal of medications and treatments;
9. Issues specific to the facility/program as indicated by the needs of the residents and the medications and treatments currently being administered;
10. Corrective actions based on identified problems.

When this training is complete, the instructor will provide a training completion certificate to the LIMA taking the training.

The course is 8 weeks long and the student is required to attend every class. Clinical hours take place on the job. Facility must have a contract with Ozarks Tech in order for the student to receive on the job training. Otherwise, the student must enroll in ALHS 106.

• When will I receive my certification? When you complete the class with an 80% or higher, you will be approved to schedule and sit for the State Certification testing. Your instructor will provide you with the log in and scheduling information through D&S Headmaster. Once you have passed the CNA Knowledge Exam and the Skills Practical, you will be a Certified Nurse Assistant. You will print your certificate from the D&S Headmaster website.
• What are the requirements for the CNA program? Must be 18 years old, provide a valid government issued photo ID, and have a valid social security number.
• How long is the class, do we attend every day? The CNA program is 8 weeks long. You will meet 1 day a week for each of the 8 weeks, with the instructor for instruction and lab. Class is from 9:00 am until 3:30 pm and you will be given a 30-minute lunch break. Attendance is mandatory, any time missed will need to be made up and coordinated with the instructor.
• Where do we have classes at? Classes are held at OTC Springfield campus.
• Do we have to wear our scrubs to class? In the classroom, please dress appropriately. No pajamas, low cut tops, slippers, or threadbare clothing items. Remember this is a working/practice environment.
• What if I am sick or not able to attend class? You MUST contact the instructor. Please remember that there are mandatory hours for classroom time. If you absolutely CANNOT be in class, it will be made up at the discretion of the instructor. If you miss more than two (2) class days, you may be dismissed from the program.
• What if I am going to be late for class? You MUST contact the instructor and let them know you are going to be late. Tardiness counts and must be made up.  Repeated tardiness indicates a lack of responsibility and will require counseling with the instructor and/or the Director of the program.
• Who do I call or how do I contact the instructor? You will be given contact information on the first day of class from the instructor.
• Who do I call if I have computer problems? You can reach out to IT or Student Services for computer or Canvas problems. You must give them your student ID number so they can locate you in the system.
  • IT can be reached by email at [email protected]
  • Student Services can be reached by email at [email protected]
• Do I have to have a computer to complete this class? You must have access to a computer to complete this class. Ozarks Tech has a library with computers available. The library is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. You may also utilize a public library location. The campus buildings are open from 7:00 am until 9:00 pm and there are some computers available for general student use. 
• What book do I need to purchase? You will be given access to the book on the first day of class. 
• What if I am unable to get my assignments completed on time? You MUST communicate with your instructor.
• What if I am fired or quit working at the facility before class is complete? If you are terminated or quit working for the facility before class is complete, you will not be allowed to continue the program.

• What are the requirements for the CNA program? The student must:
  • be at least 18 years old.
  • be employable according to the Employee Disqualification List (EDL),
  • successfully pass a criminal background check and has not been convicted or entered a plea of guilty to a misdemeanor or felony charge which includes any suspended imposition of sentence, any suspended execution of sentence or any period of probation or parole in this state or any other state which if committed in Missouri would be a class A or B felony violation of Chapters 565, 566, or 569, RSMo, or any violation of subsection 198.070.3, RSMo, or section 568.020, RSMo, unless a good cause waiver has been granted by the Department of Health and Senior Services
  • pass a background check
  • pass a random urine drug screen
  • have a valid, government issued photo ID
  • have a valid social security number
  • provide a copy of up-to-date vaccination records for: MMR and booster, TDAP within the last 10 years, Varicella plus booster, Hepatitis B-or will need to sign a declination, TB skin test within the past 6 months, Flu vaccine if the class is from October to March
• How long is the class, do we attend every day? The CNA program is 8 weeks long. You will meet 1 day a week for each of the 8 weeks, with the instructor for instruction and lab. Class is from 9:00 am until 3:30 pm and you will be given a 30-minute lunch break. Attendance is mandatory, any time missed will need to be made up and coordinated with the instructor. Clinical is from 6:30 am until 5:00 pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays starting week 2. You are required to complete 100 hours of clinical time as scheduled, any time missed will need to be made up and coordinated with the instructor. Given our time limitation of the class, make up time is not guaranteed. Decisions will be made by the instructor/clinical supervisor.
• I already work as a nurse assistant. Can I count my working time toward my clinical hours? Unless your facility has made arrangements with OTC prior to the start of the class, you will be required to attend the    clinical that is scheduled.
• Can I do my clinicals on the weekends? Clinical is determined and scheduled when class begins. The requirement is that the student attends clinical with a Clinical Supervisor and the schedule does not accommodate weekends.
• Where do we have classes at? Classes are held at OTC Springfield campus.
• Are vaccines required for the program? Yes, you are required to upload copies of your vaccination history to our third party, my record tracker, within the first week of the program. This must be completed before you are placed in a clinical environment.
• Is a background check required for the program? You must successfully pass a federal, criminal, and local background check. Information will be sent to you after the first day of class from our clinical coordinator to your OTC email address. These must come back clear before you can start your clinical rotation.
• Is a drug screen required to complete clinical? You must successfully pass a urine drug screen before being placed in a clinical environment.
• What happens if I do not pass any of the above requirements? If you do not meet any of the above, you will not be allowed to continue in the program.
• What do I wear in clinical? Scrubs are available for purchase in the Ozarks Tech bookstore. You will be required to wear these. They are to remain clean, unwrinkled, and odor free. You will need a couple of ink pens and a notebook to take notes. Cell phones are not allowed in the clinical environment. If you are a smoker, you should NOT smell smoke when you attend clinic.
• Do we have to wear our scrubs to class? Scrubs are for clinical days unless otherwise instructed. In the classroom, please dress appropriately. No pajamas, low cut tops, slippers, or threadbare clothing items. Remember this is a working/practice environment.
• When is clinical? Clinical is scheduled for every Wednesday and Thursday from 6:30 am-5:00 pm. You will receive a schedule of your clinical dates and location on the first day of class.
• Do we start clinical the first week? You will start clinical after the second class has met.
• What if I am sick or not able to attend class or clinical? You MUST contact the instructor. Please remember that there are mandatory hours for classroom and clinical. If you     absolutely CANNOT be in class or clinical, it will be made up at the discretion of the instructor. If you miss more than one (1) clinical day, you may be dismissed from the program.
• What if I am going to be late for class or clinical? You MUST contact the instructor and let them know you are going to be late. Tardiness counts and must be made up.  Repeated tardiness indicates a lack of responsibility and will require counseling with the instructor and/or the Director of the program.
• Who do I call or how do I contact the instructor? You will be given contact information on the first day of class for each instructor.
• Who do I call if I have computer problems? You can reach out to IT or Student Services for computer or Canvas problems. You must give them your student ID number so they can locate you in the system. IT can be reached at (417) 447-7548 or by email at [email protected] Student Services can be reached at (417) 447-6900 or by email at [email protected]
• Do I have to have a computer to complete this class? You must have access to a computer to complete this class. OTC has a library with computers available. The library is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. You may also utilize a public library location. The campus buildings are open from 7:00 am until 9:00 pm and there are some computers available for general student use.
• What book do I need to purchase? You will be given access to the book on the first day of class.
• What if I am unable to get my assignments completed on time? You MUST communicate with your instructor.
• When will I receive my certification? When you complete the class with an 80% or higher, you will be approved to schedule and sit for the State Certification testing. Your instructor will provide you with the log in and scheduling information through D&S Headmaster. Once you have passed the CNA Knowledge Exam and the Skills Practical, you will be a Certified Nurse Assistant. You will print your certificate from the D&S Headmaster website.

This class prepares Certified Nurse Assistants to become Certified Medication Technicians to work in long-term care facilities. If the CMT portion is successfully passed, this course will provide insulin administration certification as well. The course meets the requirements of the MO Department of Health and Senior Services.

• What are the requirements for the CMT program? The student must
  • have been employed as a CNA for at least 6 months in Missouri, 
  • have an active CNA license,
  • provide a copy of a high school diploma, GED, or HiSet, 
  • have a Letter of recommendation from the current or previous Director of Nursing written on facility letterhead,                             
  • sign the Healthcare agreement, 
  • present a valid, photo government ID,  
  • have a valid social security number,  
  • provide vaccinations prior to the clinical portion of the program, if requested 
• When do we learn about Insulin? The insulin class is the last 2 weeks of the course. You will be given the book and supplemental information for the class then. The Department of Health and Senior Services requires you to complete and pass the CMT course and exam before taking the Insulin course.
• How long is the class, do we attend every day? The CMT program is eight weeks long. You will meet one day a week for each of the eight weeks with the instructor for instruction and lab. The class is from 9:00 am until 3:30 pm, and you will be given a 30-minute lunch break. Attendance is mandatory, any time missed will need to be made up and coordinated with the instructor. A Clinical is scheduled in the last half of the course and will be determined by the instructor.
• Where do we have classes at? Classes are held at the OTC Springfield campus.
• Are vaccines required for the program? N You are in class on the recommendation of your facility Director of Nursing and/or employer.
• Is a background check required for the program? You are in class on the recommendation of your facility Director of Nursing and/or employer.
• Is a drug screen required to complete clinical? You are in class on the recommendation of your facility Director of Nursing and/or employer. However, OTC reserves the right to drug screen our students. Refer to the Health Sciences Drug Testing Policy.
• What happens if I do not pass any of the above requirements? If you do not meet any of the above, you cannot continue in the program.
• Are scrubs provided, or do we wear scrubs to class? Scrubs are not provided or required for class.
• What if I am sick or not able to attend class or clinical? You MUST contact the instructor. Please remember that there are mandatory hours for classroom and clinical. If you absolutely CANNOT be in class or clinical, it will be made up at the discretion of the instructor.
• What if I am going to be late for class or clinical? You MUST contact the instructor and let them know you are going to be late. Tardiness counts and must be made up.  Repeated tardiness indicates a lack of responsibility and will require counseling with the program’s instructor and/or Director.
• Who do I call, or how do I contact the instructor? Each instructor will give you contact information on the first day of class.
• Who do I call if I have computer problems? You can reach out to IT or Student Services for computer or Canvas problems. You must give them your student ID number so they can locate you in the system. IT can be reached at (417) 447-7548 or by email at [email protected]. Student Services can be reached at (417) 447-6900 or by email at [email protected]
• Do I have to have a computer to complete this class? You must have access to a computer to complete this class. OTC has a library with computers available. The library is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. You may also utilize a public library location. The campus buildings are open from 7:00 am until 9:00 pm, and some computers are available for general student use. 
• What book do I need to purchase? You will be given access to the book for your class on the first day. 
• What if I am unable to get my assignments completed on time? You MUST communicate with your instructor.
• When will I receive my certification? You will sit for the State Certification testing when you complete the class with an 80% or higher. Your instructor will provide you with the written certification exam and schedule you for the practical exam. You will receive your certification certificate on the last day of the class.

The student must be a Certified Medication Technician (CMT) or a Level 1 Medication Aide (LIMA) in good standing with the State of Missouri and have a letter of recommendation (LOR) from their DON or administrator.

This course would be scheduled for the last two weeks of the CMT/Insulin class.

1. How long is the class, do we attend every day? The Insulin administration program is 2 weeks long. You will meet 1 day each week, with the instructor for instruction and lab. Class is from 9:00 am until 3:30 pm, and you will be given a 30-minute lunch break. Attendance is mandatory. Any time missed will need to be made up and coordinated with the instructor. Clinical is scheduled on the last day of the course and will be determined by the instructor.
2. Where do we have classes at? Classes are held at the OTC Springfield campus.
3. Are scrubs provided or do we wear scrubs to class? Scrubs are not provided or required for class.
4. What if I am sick or not able to attend class or clinical? You MUST contact the instructor. Please remember that there are mandatory hours for classroom and clinical. If you absolutely CANNOT be in class or clinical, it will be made up at the instructor’s discretion.
5. When will I receive my certification? When you complete the class with an 80% or higher, you will sit for the State Certification testing. Your instructor will provide you with the written certification exam and will schedule you for the practical exam. The last day of the class is when you will receive your certification certificate.
6. What if I am going to be late for class or clinical? You MUST contact the instructor and let them know you will be late. Tardiness counts and must be made up.  Repeated tardiness indicates a lack of responsibility and will require counseling with the instructor and/or the Director of the program.
7. Who do I call or how do I contact the instructor? You will be given contact information on the first day of class for each instructor.
8. Who do I call if I have computer problems? You can reach out to IT or Student Services for computer or Canvas problems. You must give them your student ID number so they can locate you in the system. IT can be reached at (417) 447-7548 or by email at [email protected]  Student Services can be reached at (417) 447-6900 or by email at [email protected] 
9. Do I have to have a computer to complete this class? You must have access to a computer to complete this class. OTC has a library with computers available. The library is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. You may also utilize a public library location. The campus buildings are open from 7:00 am until 9:00 pm and there are some computers available for general student use.   
10. What book do I need to purchase? You will be able to pick up the book from the Ozarks Tech Bookstore once you have been registered for this course. 
11. What if I am unable to get my assignments completed on time? You MUST communicate with your instructor.