Candidate Information Bulletin

State of New Mexico

C E R T I F I E D N U R S E A I D E E X A M I N A T I O N 1 Rev. 10212019

Copyright © 2017-2019

Prometric LLC, All Rights Reserved.

The New Mexico Human Services Department (HSD) and the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) have contracted with Prometric to develop and administer the New Mexico Nurse Aide Competency Examination and manage the Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Registry.

Follow these main steps if you are interested in becoming a CNA in New Mexico. To Become a CNA in New Mexico

1 Complete the New Mexico Nurse Aide Registry Application—Page 20. The application is also available online at

www.prometric.com/nurseaide/nm.

2 Prepare for your exam, using the content outlines in this bulletin—Page 13. 3 Take your exams at your scheduled exam location. Be sure to bring the necessary identification with you to the test center—Page 6. 4 If you pass, your CNA certificate will be mailed to you and your name will be added to the New Mexico Certified Nurse Aide Registry. To Get Answers not Provided in this Bulletin

Direct all questions and requests for information about the exam process to: Prometric

7941 Corporate Drive

Nottingham, MD 21236

Phone: 866-***-****

www.prometric.com/nurseaide/nm

Direct questions about certification to:

New Mexico Department of Health

Health Facility Licensing and Certification Bureau 2040 S. Pacheco Street, Room 413

Santa Fe, NM 87505

Health Facilities & Licensing Bureau: 505-***-**** Fax: 505-***-****

E-mail: adt4bb@r.postjobfree.com

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Federal and state rules require that if you work in a Medicaid-approved nursing facility providing nurse aide care to residents, you must meet specific training and testing requirements to become certified. When applying for nurse aide certification, you must establish your eligibility. New Mexico has nine different routes for eligibility. Please review the following eligibility routes to determine the one that best fits your situation. Route 1—New Nurse Aide (New Mexico Trained)

Select this route if you have successfully completed a New Mexico state- approved nurse aide training program that is at least 75 hours in duration within the past 24 months. Reminder. Your training program director must complete the “Work Verification” Section of the application (at the end of this bulletin) as proof of your training.

Note To be placed on the Registry, you must take and pass both parts of the Competency Examination within 24 months of completing your training. If you do not, you will be required to retrain.

Route 2—Military Trained

Select this route if you have obtained nurse aide-related skills and training through military service within the past 24 months. The DOH must approve candidates applying for certification under Route 2. Call the DOH at 505-***-**** for more information on the approval process. Once the DOH approves your eligibility to test, you will be sent an Approval Letter. Reminder. You must send your Approval Letter, along with your completed application (at the end of this bulletin) to Prometric. You must complete your testing within six months of the date on your Approval Letter. Route 3—Graduate RN/LPN

Select this route if you have successfully completed a New Mexico state- approved RN/LPN program, but have not yet been licensed. The DOH must approve candidates applying for certification under Route 3. Call the DOH at 505-***-**** for more information on the approval process. Once the DOH approves your eligibility to test, you will be sent an Approval Letter. Reminder. You must send your Approval Letter, along with your completed application (at the end of this bulletin) to Prometric. You must complete your testing within six months of the date on your Approval Letter. Route 4—Out-of-State Nurse Aide (Expired)

Select this route if you have been a nurse aide listed on another state’s nurse aide registry but your certification has expired within the past 24 months. Your certification must also be in good standing without findings of resident abuse, neglect or misappropriation of resident property. The DOH must approve candidates applying for certification under Route 4. Call the DOH at 505-***-**** for more information on the approval process. Once the DOH approves your eligibility to test, you will be sent an Approval Letter. Reminder. You must send your Approval Letter, along with your completed application (at the end of this bulletin) to Prometric. You must complete your testing within six months of the date on your Approval Letter. Eligibility Route

Options

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Note Out-of-state nurse aides who have current certification in another state may apply to the New Mexico DOH, Division of Health Improvement, Health Facility Licensing and Certification Bureau (HFLC) for reciprocity to New Mexico. If approved, the nurse aide may be granted a New Mexico CNA Certificate without further training or testing. For more information, contact the HFLC at 505-***-****.

Route 5—Out-of-State or Foreign-Trained Nurse/Nurse Aide

(RN/LPN/NA)

Select this route if you are an RN, LPN or NA trained in another state or country. You must have a valid nursing license from your former state/country and be in good standing on the applicable registry. The DOH must approve candidates applying for certification under Route 5. Call the DOH at 505-***-**** for more information on the approval process. Once the DOH approves your eligibility to test, you will be sent an Approval Letter. Reminder. You must send your Approval Letter, along with your completed application (at the end of this bulletin) to Prometric. You must complete your testing within six months of the date on your Approval Letter. Route 6—RN/LPN Student

Select this route if you have successfully completed the required basic course work and clinicals in a New Mexico state-approved nursing program within the past 24 months. The DOH must approve candidates applying for certification under Route 6. Call the DOH at 505-***-**** for more information on the approval process. Once the DOH approves your eligibility to test, you will be sent an Approval Letter. Reminder. You must send your Approval Letter, along with your completed application (at the end of this bulletin) to Prometric. You must complete your testing within six months of the date on your Approval Letter.

Route 7—Expired New Mexico Certificate - Less than 24 Months Ago

Select this route if you are on the New Mexico CNA Registry but your certificate has expired within the past 24 months. Training will not be required if your expiration date is within the past 24 months at the time you apply and you complete testing within six months of applying. Reminder. When you complete the application (at the end of this bulletin), you must provide your certificate number next to Route 7.

Route 8—Expired New Mexico Certificate - More than 24 Months Ago

Select this route if you were on the New Mexico CNA Registry but your certificate expired more than 24 months ago. If you have been working in a nursing-related field during this time, you may apply to the DOH at 505-***-**** to be considered for an Approval Letter to test without retraining. If approved by the DOH, you will be sent an Approval Letter. Reminder. You must send your Approval Letter, along with your completed application (at the end of this bulletin) to Prometric. You must complete your testing within six months of the date on your Approval Letter.

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Route 9—Expired New Mexico Certificate - Retrained Select this route if you have a New Mexico certificate that expired more than 24 months ago and you have not worked in a nursing-related field in the past 24 months. In order to become recertified through Route 9, you must successfully complete a New Mexico state-approved nurse aide training program, then take and pass the Competency Examination. Reminder. Your training program director must complete the “Work Verification” section of the application (at the end of this bulletin) as proof of your training. You must also provide your previous certificate number next to Route 9 in the application. Note All Route 9 candidates have 24 months from the date they completed their training program to take and pass both parts of the Competency Examination.

The New Mexico Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Competency Exam consists of two separate tests: The Clinical Skills test and the Written (Knowledge) test. You may take the two tests in any order. You are not required to pass one test before taking the other.

Completing the Application Form

Before you can test, you must submit:

1 The New Mexico Nurse Aide Registry Application form on Page 20. Complete the form clearly and accurately. Incomplete, illegible and/or unsigned applications will be returned.

2 The appropriate fee(s).

3 If your eligibility route requires you to get pre-approval from the DOH before submitting your application to Prometric, attach a copy of the DOH Approval Letter to your application.

Name Change

If your name has changed, but you have not had the name change made on your identification card and/or Social Security card, you will need to apply for testing using your name as it appears on your identification. When your identification and Social Security card have been changed to match your new legal name, you may submit a copy of the legal documents to Prometric. The change will be made in our system at that time.

Test Sites and Dates

Prometric gives the CNA competency exam in test sites throughout the state. Be sure to include your preferred test site on your application form. A list of current test sites is available online at

www.prometric.com/nurseaide/nm.

Authorization to Test Letter

Upon receipt of your completed application, Prometric will review your eligibility. If you are eligible to take the competency exam, Prometric will email you an Authorization to Test Letter. This letter will include the date, location and time of your test. You must bring this letter and proper identification with you to the test site.

Scheduling

Your Tests

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Fee Information

The State of New Mexico will pay test fees for first time testing candidates who have been offered employment or are currently employed by a Medicaid certified nursing facility. Lapsed candidates or retesting candidates due to a failed attempt or a no show are responsible for their own testing fees. In order for the state to pay your test fees, an authorized facility representative must complete the “Work Verification” section of your application. If you are not eligible for state payment, you must pay your own test fees in the following manner:

• Money orders or cashier’s checks made payable to Prometric are accepted. Personal checks and cash are not accepted.

• To pay by credit card, add your information to the application.

• Fees must be included with the application. Applications received without proper payment will be returned.

• Your name and Social Security number must be written on the money order/ cashier’s checks.

Tests and related fees are as follows:

First-Time Tester Fee 5% NM State Tax

Total

Fee

Clinical Skills and Written Test $102 $5.10 $107.10 Clinical Skills and Oral Test

(English)

$102 $5.10 $107.10

Clinical Skills and Oral Test

(Spanish)

$102 $5.10 $107.10

Re-tester

*

Fee 5% NM State Tax

Clinical Skills Retest $65 $3.25 $68.25

Written Retest $37 $1.85 $38.85

Oral Retest (English) $37 $1.85 $38.85

Oral Retest (Spanish) $37 $1.85 $38.85

*A fee is required to reschedule an appointment for candidates who provided less than five days notice to change a scheduled test appointment, or who did not show up or were late for a scheduled appointment. Payment of this fee must be made before the candidate will be rescheduled. This fee is the sole responsibility of the candidate and will not be paid by the state.

Refund Policy. Test fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable. Fees will only be returned to candidates who are determined to be ineligible to test. Special Test Considerations

ADA Accommodation. If you need testing accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please fill out the ADA Request Packet located at www.prometric.com/nurseaide/nm Reasonable testing accommodations are provided to allow candidates with documented disabilities recognized under the ADA an opportunity to demonstrate their skills and knowledge.

ESL Accommodation. Translators are not permitted and translation dictionaries may not be used during the competency examination. However, the Written test is offered in an oral version in both English and Spanish. N E W M E X I C O C E R T I F E D N U R S E A I D E 6

Candidates for whom English is a Second Language should review the “Oral test” section on Page 7 to determine if this is an appropriate option for them. To avoid a rescheduling fee, you must contact Prometric at least five full business days before the day of your scheduled appointment. Rescheduling fees are the sole responsibility of the candidate and will not be paid by the state.

If you do not allow at least five full business days to reschedule your appointment, you must pay a rescheduling fee equivalent to the original test fee before another test may be scheduled.

If Absent or Late. If you miss your appointment or arrive late and are not allowed to test, you must pay a rescheduling fee equivalent to the original test fee. Payment of this fee must be made before you will be rescheduled. Emergency Closing. Severe weather or an emergency could require canceling scheduled tests. If this occurs, Prometric will attempt to contact you by phone. You may also call 866-***-**** to see if a site is closed. If the site is closed, your tests will be rescheduled without a rescheduling fee. You should arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. This allows time for you to sign in and for staff to verify your identification.

What to Bring to the Exam

Authorization to Test letter. You must present the original letter sent to you by Prometric.

Identification Required. You must present two valid pieces of identification before you may test and one piece must:

• Be a current (not expired) government-issued (e.g., driver’s license, state- issued identification card or military identification card);

• Contain both a current photo and your signature (this must be legible); and

• Have a name that exactly matches the name on your ID and Admission Letter.

Examples of acceptable second forms of identification include credit cards and Social Security cards. All forms of identification must have been signed before the day of test. The second form of identification must also have your signature on it.

ID that is cracked, torn or may have been tampered with will not be accepted and you may not be admitted to test.

Important If you do not provide correct identification at the time of the exam, it is considered a missed appointment. You will be required to pay the entire exam fee in order to be scheduled for another exam. What to Wear. If you are taking the Clinical Skills test, it is recommended that you wear flat, nonskid, closed-toed shoes. It is suggested that a uniform or scrubs be worn on the day of testing. You should also have a watch with a secondhand.

Rescheduling

a Test

Taking Your

Exam

N E W M E X I C O C E R T I F I E D N U R S E A I D E 7

Written Test Overview

The Written test is administered using Prometric’s user-friendly, Microsoft Windows -based, computerized testing system. You do not need computer experience to use this system. You will use a computer mouse to select answers.

The Written test consists of 60 multiple-choice questions that evaluate your nurse aide knowledge and skills. You will have 90 minutes to take the test. The content outline on Page 13 is the basis for the Written test. The outline lists all topics covered in the test.

Oral Test

The Written test can be taken in an oral form. During an Oral test, you will hear the questions read to you while reading and answering questions on the computer. You may replay questions as many times as needed. A Reading Assessment that may help you decide if you should consider taking the oral test is available online at www.prometric.com/nurseaide/nm. If you would like to take the Oral test, you must select this option on the application form. This request cannot be made on the day of testing. Besides the Knowledge portion of the test that is the same as taken by all nurse aide candidates, the Oral test has an additional section of exam questions on Reading Comprehension. The Reading Comprehension Test has approximately 15 questions. This test is used to find out if candidates have the reading skills a nurse aide who works in a nursing facility needs. Candidates must pass both the Reading Comprehension section and the Knowledge test section in order to pass the Oral test. Candidates will be given a separate score for each section. Each time a candidate takes the Oral test, she/he will be required to take the Reading Comprehension section, even if it was passed in a previous attempt.

Practice Exam

A Nurse Aide Practice Exam is available online at

www.prometric.com/nurseaide. The practice exam is created in the same format and uses the same question types as the actual certification exam. The practice exam will also help you become familiar with the computer-based testing process.

During the practice exam, you will get immediate feedback to correct and incorrect responses as well as overall feedback at the end of the session. The practice exam will list rational statements and reference listings for further study.

The Written Nurse Aide Practice Exam contains 50 questions. The fee for each practice exam is $10. A super pack of all 3 practice exams is available for $25 and is payable online using a credit or debit card at the time you purchase the practice exam.

The Clinical Skills Readiness Test allows you to prepare for your skills exam by testing your knowledge of the skills you will need to perform on the day of testing. There are 6 tests available with 3-4 skills in each. The fee for each Clinical Skill Readiness test is $5 to $7 with a super pack of all skills available for $25. The fee is payable online using a credit or debit card at the time you purchase the practice exam.

N E W M E X I C O C E R T I F E D N U R S E A I D E 8

Sample Test

A Nurse Aide Certification Sample Test is located on Page 15 of this bulletin. The sample test is intended to help you become familiar with the exam format. How well you do on this sample test does not predict your results on your actual test.

Clinical Skills Test Overview

The Clinical Skills test is a timed test. The skills that you will be asked to perform are assigned by computer at the time you are scheduled for testing. For your test you will be scored on five skills. While performing three assigned skills, you will also be scored on two additional skills - Handwashing and Indirect Care. Indirect Care is care related to residents’ rights and preferences, communication with the resident, resident safety, comfort and needs, and infection control.

The amount of time you will have to take your test is based on the skills you are asked to perform. The times for this test vary since some skills take longer to perform than other skills. When you are given the instructions for the skills on your test, you will be told how much time you have for your test. You will be reminded how much time you have just before you begin your test. The time allowed for the Clinical Skills test ranges from 31 minutes to 40 minutes based on the skills you are asked to perform.

To pass the Clinical Skills test, you must pass all five skills. To pass a skill, you are not required to perform the skill perfectly, but you are required to demonstrate competency of the skill. Each skill has a list of checkpoints. The Nurse Aide Evaluator (NAE) will watch you perform the skill and compare your performance to the checkpoints for the skill. A Clinical Skills Checklist is available online at www.prometric.com/nurseaide/nm The rules for the Clinical Skills test allow you to make corrections while performing a skill. You must tell the NAE that you are making a correction during the skill and you must actually perform the correction. Once you have completed a skill and have indicated to the NAE that you are done with the skill, you may not go back to correct a previous skill. The NAE who administers the Clinical Skills test is not permitted to teach, coach, or discuss your results or performance with you. While you are waiting to take the Clinical Skills test, you will be given a copy of the General Instructions for the Nurse Aide Clinical Skills Test to read. These instructions describe the basic rules for the test and other candidate considerations. A copy of this document, along with samples of the forms you will use to document measurements during your test, are available for review at www.prometric.com/nurseaide/nm.

Resident Actor

Candidates are required to play the role of the resident for other candidates who are taking the Clinical Skills test. You may be asked to play the role of the resident for more than one candidate. The skills that may be performed on you when playing the role of the resident include:

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Skills to be performed

Assisting you to walk Measuring your pulse

Brushing your teeth Moving you from the bed into a wheelchair Changing bed linens while you are in bed Moving your arm or leg through simple exercises

Cleaning and shaping your nails Placing you on a bedpan (clothes on) Feeding you a small snack Turning you on your side in bed Measuring your breathing Washing and applying lotion to one foot When you are playing the role of the resident, you must be able to participate in the skills identified above. If you are unable to participate in any of the skills, speak with the NAE administering the test when you check-in at the test site.

Stopping the Testing of a Skill

During the Clinical Skills test, the NAE can stop the testing of a skill if the resident actor is in danger.

The following regulations will be observed at each test site. If you do not follow these rules, it may result in the disqualification of your exam. Prometric reserves the right to audiotape and videotape any examination session. No reference materials, papers or study materials are allowed at the test center. If you are found with these or any other aids, you will not be allowed to continue the test and your answers will not be scored.

Prometric is not responsible for personal items brought to the test center. It is recommended that personal items not be brought into the test site. Note the following:

• Electronic equipment is not permitted in the testing area. This includes cell phones, PDAs, pagers, cameras, tape recorders, etc. All of these items will be collected by the Nurse Aide Evaluator (NAE). Other personal items—purses, briefcases, etc.—are not permitted in the testing area. Note: It is recommended that purses not be brought to the test center. Access to purses will not be allowed during testing.

• If you leave the testing room while a test is in progress, you must sign out/in on the roster and you will lose exam time.

• You will not have access to any personal items during this break. You are not allowed to use any electronic devices or phones during breaks. If you engage in any disruptive or offensive behaviors, you will be dismissed from the examination. If dismissed, your test results will be invalid. Examples are: giving or receiving help, cell phones ringing in the test center, resident actors talking, prompting or moving when not directed to do so, taking part in an act of impersonation, removing test materials or notes from the testing room, using rude or offensive language and behavior that delays or interrupts testing. No guests, visitors, children or family members are allowed at the test center. Weapons are not allowed at the test center.

Test Site

Regulations

References

Personal Items

Breaks

Misconduct or

Disruptive Behavior

Visitors

Weapons

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Important Every time you enter the test room, you will be asked to turn your pockets inside out to confirm that you have no prohibited items. The test center administrator will collect any materials that violate the rules. If Questions Arise. Test site employees are not allowed to answer any questions about the exam content. If you do not understand a question on the test, you should answer the question to the best of your ability. Copyrighted Questions. All test questions are the property of Prometric Inc. and are protected by copyright. Federal law provides severe civil and criminal penalties for the unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or exhibition of copyrighted materials.

If you pass both parts of the examination, you will be mailed your New Mexico Nurse Aide Certificate within one week from the date you tested. Your name will be added to the New Mexico CNA Registry. Scores are confidential and will be revealed only to you and the state. Scores are not given out over the phone.

Written Test

Since your test is given on computer, you will get a score report when the test is done. The score report will list either pass or fail. Test site employees cannot discuss your results with you.

Clinical Skills Test

Your score report will be given to you at the test site shortly after the completion of your test. You must pass all five skills to pass the Clinical Skills test. The nurse giving the Clinical Skills test is not allowed to discuss your results with you.

Self Serve Results

Clinical Skills exam results

The email address utilized on the application will allow you to access your score report electronically.

If your application was submitted under your Site Contact’s email address, please contact the Site Contact to assist with providing your score report. Instruction on how to access score reports are

outlined below:

1 Logon to https://tcnet.prometric.com/nmcna.

2 Select Forgot Password?

3 Ensure the “Reset Password via E-Mail” is selected. Enter your Prometric ID as your username (this

number is on your ATT letter). If you do not have your letter, you can contact customer service to get

it.

4 Continue following the onscreen instruction for resetting password via email. Note: If your application

is registered under your Site Contact’s email, please contact the Site Contact to assist with accessing

your score report.

5 Once your password reset is complete, logon to

https://tcnet.prometric.com/nmcna.

Your Exam

Results

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6 In the Main Menu, click on the link that says Review Scores. 7 Click on the date of the exam results listed in the history box to obtain your Clinical Skills exam

score report.

8 To see which checkpoints you missed on your exam, click on the link in the score report that says

Item Feedback.

Written (Oral) Exam Results

The email address utilized on the application will allow you to access your score report electronically.

If your application was submitted under your Site Contact’s email address, please contact the Site

Contact to assist with providing your score report. Instruction on how to access score reports are

outlined below:

1 Logon to https://tcnet.prometric.com/nmcna.

2 Select Forgot Password?

3 Ensure the “Reset Password via E-Mail” is selected. Enter your Prometric ID as your username (this

number is on your ATT letter). If you do not have your letter, you can contact customer service to get

it.

4 Continue following the onscreen instruction for resetting password via email. Note: If your application

is registered under your Site Contact’s email, please contact the Site Contact to assist with accessing

your score report.

5 Once your password reset is complete, logon to

https://tcnet.prometric.com/nmcna.

6 In the Main Menu, click on the link that says Review Scores. 7 Click on the date of the exam results listed in the history box to obtain your Written exam score

report.

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Unsuccessful Candidates

If you fail a test, you will receive information about retaking the test. You are only required to retake the test you failed. You must take and pass both the Clinical Skills test and Written test within three attempts in a two-year eligibility period. A test fee is required each time you take a test. Our goal is to provide a quality exam and a pleasant testing experience for every candidate. If you are dissatisfied with either and believe we can correct the problem, we would like to hear from you. We provide an opportunity for general comments at the end of your exam. Your comments will be reviewed by our personnel, but you will not receive a direct response. If you are requesting a response about exam content, registration, scheduling or test administration (testing site procedures, equipment, personnel, etc.), please submit an appeal in writing within 60 days of your test date. Your appeal letter must provide your name and Prometric ID number, the exam title, the date you tested and the details of your concern, including all relevant facts. Be sure to include your signature and return address. Mail your appeal letter to:

Prometric

ATTN: Appeals Committee

7941 Corporate Drive

Nottingham, MD 21236

The Appeals Committee will review your concern and send you a written response within 10 business days of receipt. Faxed appeals will not be accepted because an original signature is

Contact this candidate