NURSING ASSISTANT (NAC)
The Nursing Assistant Certified (NAC) certification granted by the AMCA is a nationwide professional credential in the United States that validates the theoretical knowledge, clinical skills, and practical competencies in the area of basic nursing assistance. It is designed for individuals wishing to provide direct patient support under the supervision of registered nurses (RN) or physicians, adhering to national ethical, technical, and safety standards.
Program Requirements
Be 18 years of age or older.
High school diploma, GED, college transcript, or foreign country equivalent.
Valid government-issued ID (State ID, driver's license, passport).
Valid Social Security Number (SSN) or current ITIN in the US.
Complete the United States Medical Institute (USMI) enrollment form.
No prior medical or clinical experience required.
Choose Your Study Modality
100% Online
In this modality, the student completes their training entirely online. Access virtual classes, digital study materials, academic workshops, and preparatory evaluations at your own pace.
Hybrid (90/10)
90% of the classes are taught virtually live. The remaining 10% corresponds to in-person activities. Combines the flexibility of online learning with the benefit of in-person supervision.
100% In-Person
Attend USMI facilities according to the established schedule. Includes in-person classes directed by qualified instructors, practical workshops, and scheduled formative activities.
Program Objectives
The NAC program ensures you possess the clinical and ethical foundation necessary to operate in a modern healthcare environment. Key objectives include:
- Direct Care Mastery: Perform fundamental tasks of hygiene, mobility, and feeding to ensure patient well-being.
- Clinical Monitoring Precision: Accurately measure, record, and report vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, respiration, temperature).
- Safety & Emergency Response: Implement infection control protocols (OSHA), safety measures, and emergency responses.
- Therapeutic Communication: Interact professionally and empathetically, respecting HIPAA confidentiality and patient rights.
- Team Integration: Function as an effective liaison between the patient and the nursing/medical staff.
- Technical Competence: Master anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology for a solid scientific foundation.
Professional Functions
A Nursing Assistant Certified integrates technical and behavioral competencies to support direct patient care. Key functions include:
- Vital Signs Monitoring: Measuring and precisely recording pulse, respiration, and blood pressure.
- Infection Control: Proper hand hygiene and usage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
- Patient Mobilization: Safely transferring patients using gait belts and maintaining proper body positioning.
- Personal Care: Assisting with feeding, bathing, oral care, perineal care, and foot care.
- Clinical Assistance: Supporting the healthcare team with wound care, charting, and initial CPR or first aid interventions.
What's Included in Your Tuition?
By enrolling at USMI, you gain access to comprehensive training and resources designed to prepare you for your professional certification:
Full Course Access
Attend all classes in your selected modality until successful completion.
Study Materials
Access to the official digital textbook and educational resources.
Live Practice
Supervised practice in our simulated environments at the academy.
Exam Right
Includes the right to take the certification exam with the authorized agency.
Certification
Once passed, your certification is mailed to you or delivered at USMI.
Additional Program Details
The NAC exam consists of 149 questions divided into seven critical domains. Training will thoroughly prepare you for each:
- Patient Care Skills (41%): Vital signs, first aid, CPR, charting, wound care, and physical exam steps.
- Anatomy & Physiology (14%): Basic functions of body systems and patient positioning.
- Safety & Infection Control (13%): OSHA protocols, transmission methods, nosocomial disease prevention, and isolation techniques.
- Medical Law & Ethics (13%): Patient confidentiality, HIPAA compliance, Patient’s Bill of Rights, and professional behavior.
- Medical Terminology (13%): Prefixes, suffixes, and circulatory/cardiac terminology.
- Pharmacology (5%): Medication names, administration routes, side effects, and basic conversions.
- EKG Basics (1%): Electrical conduction, patient prep, and artifact identification.
How to Graduate and Obtain Your Certification
- Complete the enrollment process with true and complete information.
- Coordinate your class schedule with your instructor.
- Complete the academic program (all modules, tasks, and internal evaluations).
- Request the certification evaluation from USMI when prepared.
- Take and pass the corresponding national exam (includes both theoretical and clinical skills assessment).
- Receive your certification by mail or at USMI facilities.
Certification & Credentials Awarded
- Nursing Assistant Certification (NAC): Validates technical competencies in direct patient care and clinical safety nationwide.
- Professional Identification Card (AMCA): Official credential backing your status to employers and hospitals across the country.
Certification Maintenance
The AMCA requires a mandatory renewal process every two years to ensure professionals stay up to date:
- Continuing Education (CE): 10 credits required via approved courses or seminars.
- Renewal Fees: Must be paid before the expiration date to avoid late penalties ($109 USD).
- Application Process: Managed directly through the AMCA platform.
Specific Labor Opportunities
An NAC certification opens doors across a wide variety of healthcare settings. Common titles include:
- Nursing Assistant Certified (NAC)
- Patient Care Assistant (PCA)
- Clinical Assistant
- Long-Term Care Aide
Career Advancement Opportunities
Obtaining your NAC certification is a solid first step in the healthcare career ladder, opening up numerous paths for advancement:
- Clinical Specializations: Combine your NAC with EKG (CET) and Phlebotomy (CPT) to become a Patient Care Technician (CPAT).
- Transition to Professional Nursing: The ideal foundation for entering LPN/LVN or RN (Registered Nurse) programs. Many hospitals offer tuition reimbursement for assistants pursuing nursing degrees.
- Leadership: Ascend to supervisory roles like Unit Leader, Mentor, or Case Administration.
- Diversified Environments: Move from long-term care into high-acuity settings like ICUs, Dialysis Centers, Hospice/Palliative Care, and Occupational Health.
Clinical Practices
Training includes supervised simulated practice using specialized equipment. USMI guides students on how to independently identify and apply for external externships or volunteer opportunities. Please consult your local Board of Nursing for specific state clinical requirements.
Institutional Information
United States Medical Institute (USMI) is a 100% private educational institution. We do not participate in external government financial aid, grants, or scholarship programs. All academic programs are financed directly by the student through options established by the institution.
Contact Us:
- Phone / WhatsApp: +1 (346) 855-4600
- Email: info@unitedstatesmedicalinstitute.com
- Web: unitedstatesmedicalinstitute.com
- Headquarters: Houston, Texas
Which Agency Issues the Certification?
Once the theoretical training at United States Medical Institute (USMI), exams, classes, and other program activities are completed, the certification is issued by:
AMERICAN MEDICAL CERTIFICATION ASSOCIATION (AMCA)
Exam Information
- Abbreviation: NAC
- Total Questions: 149
- Time Allotted: 2 hours and 45 minutes
- Available Modalities: Online, Paper/Pencil
- Live Remote Proctoring: Yes
Evaluation & Accreditation
Competencies Evaluated:
Patient Care Skills (41%), Anatomy & Physiology (14%), Safety & Infection Control (13%), Medical Law & Ethics (13%), Medical Terminology (13%), Pharmacology (5%), EKG (1%).
NCCA Status:
The AMCA certification validates professional competencies nationwide. Verify Status Here.
Investment Plans
Option 1: Pay in FullBase Price2,500.00
- Total Investment:
$2,500.00 - Payment 1 (Today):
$2,500.00 - Frequency:
Single Payment - Fee 3.3%:
N/A (Cash or Zelle)
Option 3: Weekly PlanFinanced (+20% incl. processor)3,000.00
- Total Investment:
$3,000.00 - Payment 1 (Today):
$1,000.00 (Registration) - Frequency:
8 payments of $250.00 (8 weeks) - Fee 3.3%:
Included
Additional Information
If you would like more information about the role of a healthcare professional, please visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics or the Occupational Information Network (O*NET):
