Advanced Unlicensed Assistant

The training program for AUAs is designed to build on basic skills traditionally performed by nursing assistants. Selected advanced skills, legal and ethical aspects of health care and appropriate personal behaviors are presented in a format combining classroom lecture/discussion, demonstration/practice lab and clinical application. Graduates of an AUA training program are prepared to safely perform technical skills that are included on an approved skills list. Once the individual has completed the training, he/she applies for certification. The Oklahoma Board of Nursing ensures that all application requirements have been met, approves the application, and notifies the applicant. The applicant then schedules an appointment to take the written examination and skills examination at an approved test site. A testing service grades the examination and notifies the Oklahoma Board of Nursing of the results. If the candidate is successful, the Oklahoma Board of Nursing will then issue the certification. There is confusion among nurses about the difference between a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and an Advanced Unlicensed Assistant (AUA). In Oklahoma, certification as a nursing assistant is required for those who work in long-term care facilities. The training, certification, and regulation of CNAs is through the Oklahoma Department of Health. Their training includes basic nursing assistant skills involving hygiene, mobility, and nutrition, among others. For questions about the role of CNAs, please call the Nurse Aide Registry at the Oklahoma Department of Health, (405) 271-4085. In Oklahoma, certification as a CNA is not required for nursing assistants who work in acute care facilities.

Advanced Unlicensed Assistant

 

Communication with the Health Care Team

This 5 hour course the student will communicate effectively with patients and other members of the healthcare team.

Bowel Elimination

This 5 hour course the student will identify common bowel elimination problems and care given to patients with colostomy or ileostomy.

Surgical Asepsis Skills for the AUA

This course the student will demonstrate skills related to infection control, surgical asepsis and wound care.

Enteral Nutrition

Students will identify the purpose of enteral nutrition ie. nasogastric tube and gastrostomy tube.

Clinical Internship for the AUA

This 40 hour course the student will attend clinical in a acute care facility.

Urinary Elimination

This 5 hour course, the student will identify normal characteristics of urination and identify the purpose of catheterization.

Cardiac Monitoring

This 5 hour course the student will identify structure, function and conduction system of the heart. The student will identify life threatening dysrhythmias.

Airway Management

Within this 5 hour course, the student will identify signs and symptoms of altered respiratory function and managing factors affecting oxygen needs.

Airway Skills for the AUA

This course the student will demonstrate procedures related to the respiratory system.

Roles and Functions of Assistive Personnel

This 5 hour course the student will identify and determine appropriate responses that define the scope and practice of the AUA.

Asepsis and Wound Care

This 5 hour course the student will demonstrate principles and practices of surgical asepsis and the care of wounds.

Collecting and Testing Specimens

During this 5 hour course the student will identify purpose and procedures for collecting speciments on urine, stool, sputum and blood.

Safety, Restraint Alternatives, and Safe Restraint Use and Infection Control

This 5 hour course the student will identify safety hazards and promote environmental and patient safety.

Diagnostic Testing and Specimen Collection

This course the student will demonstrate procedures related to collecting specimens and performing diagnostic procedures.

Intake and Output for the AUA

This course the student will demonstrate procedures related to the gastrointestinal system and urinary system.