Exam Bulletin - Certified Nursing Assistant

State of California

Exam Code: EX-1573

Examination Plans Included:

  • CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT - Open

Final Filing Date: Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Classification Details

CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT: $3,272.00 - $4,096.00 (A) per Month
CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT: $3,511.00 - $4,397.00 (B) per Month

View the CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT classification specification.

Application Instructions

This is not a timed exam. If you request a Reasonable Accommodation your account will be locked and you will not be able to proceed with the exam until the request is processed.

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Who Should Apply:

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

  • CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 12 months:

Exam Code(s):

    1573

For CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 12 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-01573

How To Apply:

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

Special Testing Arrangements:

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

Minimum Qualifications

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

Unless otherwise stated in the Minimum Qualifications, qualifying experience may be combined on a proportionate basis if the requirements stated below include more than one pattern and are distinguished as "Either" 1, "or" 2, "or" 3, etc. For example, applicants possessing qualifying experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 1 and additional experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 2 may be accepted to an examination as meeting 100% of the overall experience requirement.

00108185 - CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT

Possession of a valid Nursing Assistant Certificate issued by the California Department of Public Health.

All employees must have general qualifications as described by California Code of Regulations, title 2, section 172.

Position Description

00108185 - CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT

Under medical or licensed nursing supervision, the Certified Nursing Assistant provides nursing care to patients/residents/clients or inmates who are physically ill, disabled, convalescent or geriatric; assist the physician or nurse with examination and treatments of patients; motivate and assist patients in developing and utilizing their maximum potential for self-care; and do other related work.

Provides physical support to assist patients/residents/clients or inmates in performing daily living activities, including rising out of bed, bathing, dressing, feeding, toileting, walking or exercising, social actions or rehabilitation programs; turns or re-positions bedridden; records vital signs, height and weight; measures and records dietary intake and urinary and fecal output; administers medications or treatments as directed; collects specimens; observes or examines patients/residents/clients or inmates to detect symptoms that may require medical attention; assists nurses or physicians in the operation of medical equipment or provision of care; transports patients/residents/clients or inmates to treatment units, operating rooms or other areas using wheelchairs, stretchers or movable beds; cleans and sanitizes patients clothing, rooms, bathrooms, examination rooms, or other patient/resident/client areas; positions or holds patients, residents, clients for surgical preparations; performs immediate and temporary interventions in emergency situations; assists with admission, transfer, or discharge activities; sorts, counts and distributes linens and clothing; assists in serving meals and special diets; performs other tasks as required and as defined by the California Code of Regulations, title 22, Division 5, Chapter 2.5, Article 3, 71835 through 72841.

Special Physical Characteristics - Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation:
Persons appointed to this position must be reasonably expected to have and maintain sufficient strength, agility, and endurance to perform during stressful (physical, mental, and emotional) situations encountered on the job without compromising their health and well-being or that of their fellow employees or that of inmates or youthful offenders.

Some positions in this classification may be subject to Government Code section 19816.20.

Additional Qualifications
Concern, sympathetic understanding and interest in working with patients/residents/clients or inmates; willingness to comply with prescribed procedures; and demonstrate patience and emotional stability.

Persons appointed to positions in this class at the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR): Must have the above, and an empathetic understanding of patients/inmates in a state correctional facility; willingness to work in a correctional facility in CDCR and comply with safety and security procedures; and willingness to interact with staff and inmates or youthful offenders from a wide range of cultural backgrounds in a professional manner.

For information regarding position location(s), please refer to the Eligible List Information section.

Examination Information

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This examination consists of the following component(s):

Component OrderComponent TypeComponent DuePercentage of Final Score
1CalHR Online ExamN/A100%

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

Knowledge of:
  1. Routine hospital, clinic, inpatient and/or outpatient settings, techniques of bathing, feeding, lifting, and transporting patients, making beds, and caring for patients/residents/clients or inmates clothing and other property
  2. Hospital routine and procedure
  3. Proper methods and attitudes involved in meeting the physical and psychosocial needs of physically ill and/or disabled patients/residents/clients or inmates and assisting medically trained personnel
  4. Accepted first aid methods
Ability to:
  1. Develop skills in the performance of routine hospital, clinic, inpatient and/or outpatient settings, techniques of bathing, feeding, lifting and transporting patients/residents/clients or inmates, making beds, and caring for patients/residents/clients or inmates’ clothing and other property
  2. Assist medically trained personnel
  3. Communicate at the level required for successful job performance
  4. Keep simple records
  5. Follow oral and written directions
  6. Analyze situations accurately and participate in an appropriate course of action

Eligible List Information

A Servicewide Open eligible list for the CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT Classification will be established for:

  • State of California

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 12 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Resulting Eligibility List(s) will be used to fill vacancies throughout the State of California.

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

  • A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
  • A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

Certified Nursing Assistant Training and Experience Exam Preview

Instructions:

To answer test items (task statements) 1-47 in this exam, you will be required to evaluate your training and experience performing Certified Nursing Assistant duties. For test items (KSA statements) 48-91 in this exam, you will be required to evaluate your knowledge, skills, and abilities performing Certified Nursing Assistant duties.

PLEASE NOTE: This examination is designed to gain an overall assessment of your experience and as it directly relates to the duties and the knowledge, skills and abilities required for this position. All components of this examination have been carefully validated by tying them directly to job requirements and documenting their relevance to the position.

Tasks:
  1. Provide care and tend to physical needs of patients/residents/clients or inmates to ensure personal hygiene (e.g., nail care, shampoo, bathe, oral care, feed, etc.).
  2. Provide care and tend to patients/residents/clients or inmates clothing and bed linens by changing soiled items to ensure personal hygiene.
  3. Assist patients/residents/clients or inmates with dressing, positioning, ambulating, and transferring to guarantee safety and without risk of harm.
  4. Assist bed-ridden patients/residents/clients or inmates (e.g., turning, assist with hygiene care, guide movements for better posture and movement, etc.) to ensure appropriateness of health care.
  5. Assist professional technicians before, during, and after patients/residents/clients or inmates treatment program to ensure that needs are met.
  6. Provide care of patients/residents/clients or inmates with tubing (e.g., catheters and O2) to ensure optimal patient care, monitor health issues and report any changes to charge nurse.
  7. Monitor patients/residents/clients or inmates conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities in order to ensure appropriateness of health care.
  8. Obtain and record patients/residents/clients or inmates medical information and vital signs (e.g., blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respiration, etc.) to ensure appropriateness of health care.
  9. Obtain and record weight and height of patients/residents/clients or inmates to ensure appropriateness of health care.
  10. Measure and record amount of patients/residents/clients or inmates fluids (intake and output) to ensure appropriateness of health care.
  11. Assist nursing staff with applying, monitoring, documenting, and removing patients/residents/clients or inmates restraints as required to guarantee safety and without risk of harm to patient and staff.
  12. Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records to ensure optimal patients/residents/clients or inmates care, monitor health issues and report any changes to charge nurse.
  13. Monitor, record and report symptoms or changes in patients/residents/clients or inmates conditions to ensure optimal care, behavior, monitor health issues and report any changes to charge nurse.
  14. Enter, transcribe, record, store, or maintain information in written or electronic/magnetic form in order to relay pertinent information.
  15. Keep up-to-date technically and apply new knowledge to the job in order to relay pertinent information.
  16. Maintain medical facility records in order to ensure proper procedures are followed.
  17. Record vital statistics or other health information in order to ensure appropriateness of health care.
  18. Document patients/residents/clients or inmates health or progress in order to aid nursing staff with evaluation and/or treatment.
  19. Perform immediate and temporary interventions to patients/residents/clients or inmates in emergency situations to guarantee safety and without risk of harm.
  20. Provide assistance to staff/personnel with admission, transfer, or discharge of patients/residents/clients or inmates to ensure proper care.
  21. Observe, chart, and report patients/residents/clients or inmates clinical symptoms, behavior and treatment administered to ensure appropriateness of health care.
  22. Attend in-service training classes to ensure continued knowledge, competence, and safety.
  23. Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patients/residents/clients or inmates care plans to ensure optimal care, monitor health issues and report any changes to charge nurse.
  24. As needed, converse with, observe and report any changes to patients/residents/clients or inmates health and alertness to keep them mentally healthy and alert.
  25. Provide information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, or in person in order to relay pertinent information.
  26. Observe, receive, and otherwise obtain information from all relevant sources in order to relay pertinent information.
  27. Develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with others and maintain them over time in order to relay pertinent information.
  28. Inform medical professionals regarding patients/residents/clients or inmates conditions and care in order to ensure appropriateness of health care.
  29. Assist nursing staff and/or perform the collection and labeling of urine and stool specimens for laboratory examination to ensure appropriateness of health care.
  30. As needed, assist and prepare patients/residents/clients or inmates for examination by physician to ensure proper procedures are followed.
  31. Assist and escort patients/residents/clients or inmates by wheelchair, walker, etc.to intramural or extramural medical, health, or other community services to ensure that patients/residents/clients or inmates needs are met.
  32. Motivate and assist patients/residents/clients or inmates with rehabilitation to develop self-reliance in activities of daily living (e.g., bed sitting, ambulatory exercised, etc.).
  33. Encourage patients/residents/clients or inmates in maintaining or developing muscle tone and range of motion to develop self-reliance in activities of daily living (e.g., bed sitting, ambulatory exercises, etc.)
  34. Assist and encourage patients/residents/clients or inmates in accepting and using special devices and equipment (e.g., cane, walker, etc.) prescribed for their physical comfort and rehabilitation to develop self- reliance in activities of daily living (e.g. bed sitting, ambulatory exercises, etc.).
  35. Assist and encourage patients/residents/clients or inmates participation in activities to improve their mental outlook.
  36. Sort, count, and distribute patients/residents/clients or inmates linen and clothing to ensure proper ownership and quantity available.
  37. Provide assistance to staff/personnel with serving meals and special diets to patients/residents/clients or inmates.
  38. Maintain infection control by using standard and transmission based precautions, hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE), etc. to ensure a clean and safe environment for staff and patients/residents/clients or inmates.
  39. Assist with cleaning patients/residents/clients or inmates prosthetic devices and hearing aids to ensure personal hygiene.
  40. Assist, as needed, with placing and removing patients/residents/clients or inmates prosthetic devices and hearing aids to facilitate and increase in self- functioning in daily living activities.
  41. Answer patient/resident/client or inmate call signals, signal lights, bells, and intercom systems to determine patients/residents/clients or inmates needs to ensure optimal care, monitor health issues and report any changes to charge nurse.
  42. Provide personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as co-workers, customers, or patients/residents/clients or inmates in order to ensure continued knowledge, competence, and safety.
  43. Perform physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body (e.g., climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, handling materials, etc.) in order to guarantee safety and without risk of harm.
  44. Identify information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events in order to relay pertinent information.
  45. Analyze information and evaluate results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  46. Adjust positions of patients/residents/clients or inmates on beds or tables in order to guarantee safety and without risk of harm.
  47. Place patients/residents/clients or inmates linen and clothing in the designated areas to ensure proper care.
  48. Working knowledge of routine Activities of Daily Living (e.g., bathing, feeding, lifting, transporting patients/residents/clients or inmates, etc.).
  49. Basic knowledge of routine facility techniques of making beds and caring for patients/residents/clients or inmates clothing and property.
  50. Working knowledge of facility routine and procedures.
  51. Working knowledge of proper methods and attitudes involved in meeting the physical needs of physically and mentally challenged patients/residents/clients or inmates.
  52. Thorough knowledge of overall first aid methods.
  53. Basic knowledge of overall methods of infection control (e.g., standard and transmission based precautions, surface disinfectants, personal protective equipment, etc.).
  54. Working knowledge of basic principles used in caring for patients/residents/clients or inmates who are immobile.
  55. Basic knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services (e.g., needs assessments, meeting quality standards of service, evaluation of customer satisfaction, etc.).
  56. Working knowledge of proper catheter care.
  57. Working knowledge of ostomy care.
  58. Working knowledge of patients/residents/clients or inmates dietary needs.
  59. Ability to develop skills in the performance of routine Activities of Daily Living (e.g., bathing, feeding, lifting, and transporting patients, etc.) productively.
  60. Ability to accurately develop skills in the performance of routine facility techniques of making beds and caring for patients/residents/clients or inmates clothing and other property.
  61. Ability to adequately practice standard and transmission-based precautions.
  62. Ability to accurately recognize and properly dispose of bio-hazardous and hazardous waste.
  63. Ability to be aware of one’s surroundings.
  64. Skill to effectively use logic and reasoning.
  65. Ability to recognize situations accurately.
  66. Ability to effectively gain the interest, respect, and cooperation of patients.
  67. Thorough knowledge of basic time management techniques.
  68. Skill to accurately monitor/assess performance of yourself.
  69. Ability to assist medically trained personnel productively.
  70. Ability to keep simple records adequately.
  71. Ability to adequately stand for prolonged periods of time.
  72. Ability to accurately assist and prepare patients/residents/clients or inmates for treatments administered by a health care provider.
  73. Ability to adequately prioritize.
  74. Working knowledge of proper methods and attitudes involved in meeting the psychosocial needs of physically and mentally challenged patients/residents/clients or inmates.
  75. Working knowledge of proper methods and attitudes in assisting medically trained personnel.
  76. Working knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar.
  77. Working knowledge of basic medical terminology.
  78. Skill to actively look for ways to help people.
  79. Skill to effectively give full attention to what other people are saying, take time to understand the points being made, ask questions as appropriate, and not interrupt at inappropriate times.
  80. Skill to properly be aware of others’ behaviors.
  81. Skill to properly adjust actions in relation to others’ actions.
  82. Skill to talk to others.
  83. Ability to effectively communicate verbally, electronically and in writing.
  84. Ability to effectively understand and follow both verbal and written directions.
  85. Ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  86. Ability to accurately tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
  87. Ability to accurately see details at close range.
  88. Ability to effectively communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  89. Ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  90. Ability to effectively apply general rules to specific problems.
  91. Ability to accurately combine pieces of information.

Testing Departments

  • State of California

Contact Information

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

State of California
CalCareer Service Center
1810 16th Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
Phone: (866) 844-8671
CalCareer@calhr.ca.gov

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Drug Free Statement

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free State work place. Any applicant for State employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective, because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing civil service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

General Information

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

State of California reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.
Application Methods:
Electronic (Your CalCareer Account)