Certified Nurse Aide (CNA)

How to Enroll

All current CNA class schedules, registration forms, and class calendars can be accessed and downloaded from the LMC Health Sciences Google Drive by clicking here. Please be aware that registration is first-come, first-serve. If a class is full, we will notify you and provide an alternative, if available. We may ask you for additional information or documentation.

Please note: If your employer or a third party, such as Michigan Works!, is paying for your class fee, please have them complete and submit the form to us on your behalf.

1. To enroll in an upcoming class, download the CNA Registration Packet.
2. Fill out the CNA consent form and the CNA registration form.
3. E-mail the completed documents to the LMC Health Sciences Office at HealthSciences@lakemichigancollege.edu, or bring the forms to our office at the Benton Harbor campus in C-103.
4. You will receive a confirmation e-mail after your registration has been processed.
5. Pay the class fee. See “Payment Information” for more details.

Program Contact Information

Lake Michigan College
2755 E Napier Ave
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
Health Sciences Office, C-103
HealthSciences@lakemichigancollege.edu
269.927.8768

Extended Education

The Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) program is part of Lake Michigan College’s Extended Education class offerings (formerly known as short-term training). These classes cannot be used to meet the requirements of credit/degree-granting programs. Financial aid is typically not available for Extended Education classes. Students may be eligible for support through services like Michigan Works! and West Michigan Works!, or State of Michigan Reconnect. Please refer directly to these agencies for information, eligibility, and deadlines.

Program Information

The CNA program consists of six (6) weeks in the classroom/lab and one (1) week of clinicals in a local long-term care facility (98 hours, 7 weeks total). Class meets three days per week for four (4) hours each session. Classes may be offered in the morning or evening. Clinical shifts vary depending on location, instructor, and clinical site. Please refer to the CNA course schedule and course calendars for additional information. Classes are scheduled at LMC Benton Harbor, LMC South Haven, and the Allegan County Area Technical Education Center (ACATEC), also known as the Allegan Tech Center.

Eligibility

Students must be at least 17 years old. A high school diploma or GED certificate is not required for participation.

Entrance testing is no longer required for CNA enrollment or participation.

Following enrollment, students must complete a background check and drug screen as determined by the requirements established by the healthcare organizations which host our students for clinicals. More information can be found below. Directions will be provided by the Health Sciences Office after registration.

Important: Students who are currently employed in healthcare are exempt from completing a background check, drug screen, and from providing health records up front. Documentation verifying employment is required.

Please view the "Payment Information" tab for information about fees, payments, and third-party payers.

Cost Estimate

• Class Fee: $850 - includes class and lab materials, textbook, and workbook
• Complio Portal Access: $107 - includes background check, drug screen, and health record compliance tracking for clinicals
• Michigan Nurse Aide Certification Exam: $125 - student pays this fee when applying through the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry.
• Other Fees: $50 (approx.) for black scrub pants and tennis shoes for clinicals; healthcare costs associated with physical exam, vaccinations, and testing will vary.

Student Responsibility

The class fee is paid to LMC. Students are responsible for setting up and paying for their account through the American DataBank Complio portal. Instructions will be provided following registration. Students are responsible for purchasing scrub pants, shoes for clinicals from their preferred vendor, and all healthcare costs related to physical exams, immunizations, and testing required for clinicals. All fees are subject to change.

Payment Methods

Students must pay the full amount of the class fee, out-of-pocket, within 7 business days of registration or before the start of class, whichever comes first. Students are responsible for ensuring the class fee is paid on time. Payment will be verified with the LMC Business Office prior to class beginning.

Students may pay the course fee by cash, card, or check. A 2.5% processing fee is applied to all card payments. Card information provided on the registration form will be processed by the LMC Business Office within 1-2 business days. Students may visit or contact the Business Office directly with questions. Checks must be addressed to “Lake Michigan College”. The course fee may also be paid by a third-party sponsor.

Third Party Payments

“Third Party” includes: employers who are enrolling a current employee, Michigan Works!, West Michigan Works!, Allegan Tech Center grants, and other non-student persons or agencies.

If a Third Party is sponsoring the CNA class fee paid to LMC, a Third Party Payment Authorization form must be completed by the sponsor (in most cases). This form can be obtained from the Health Sciences Office and  must be submitted at the time of registration. After enrollment, the LMC Business Office will invoice the Third Party for the fee.

If the student drops before class begins or the course is cancelled due to low enrollment, the payment is refunded directly to the Third Party sponsor.

Class Cancellations

Class Cancellation: CNA classes require a minimum of four (4) enrolled students to run. If this minimum is not met, the class will be cancelled and students will be notified of alternative classes, if scheduled.
Day Cancellation: If the College closes or the CNA class must be cancelled due to inclement weather or other events, the instructor will plan to make-up missed class time on the scheduled make-up day. If other adjustments to the class schedule must be made, students will be notified at the earliest possibility.

Refunds

• If a student exits AFTER the CNA class has started, they WILL NOT be issued a refund.
• If a student exits BEFORE the CNA class has started, they WILL be dropped and issued a refund.
• If a class is cancelled due to low enrollment, all students WILL be dropped and issued a refund. Students may move their registration to a different class if seats are available.

Clinical Requirements

The minimum requirements for clinical compliance are established by the healthcare organizations that provide students access to the clinical setting. After registration, you will be provided with due dates, forms, and instructions for accessing LMC’s compliance portal, Complio by American DataBank. You are responsible for setting up your account, paying the fee for the screening package, and ensuring your documents are uploaded prior to clinicals.

Note: Students who are currently employed in healthcare are exempt from using Complio and do not need to complete a background check, drug screen, or provide copies of their health records. However, ALL students are required to provide copies of their health records if requested by the clinical site. It is strongly recommended that you ensure your records are current and available if the need arises.

1. After registration, follow the provided instructions and make an account in the Complio Portal.
2. Purchase the screening bundle, which includes the background check and drug screen order and the ability to upload your health records.
3. Complete the background check and drug screen before the first day of class.
4. Upload copies of the following:

• Vaccinations: COVID-19, Hepatitis B, MMR Tdap, Varicella (chicken pox), and seasonal influenza. (Titer test results indicating immunity for Hep B, MMR, and Varicella are accepted).
• A negative tuberculosis (TB) test from within the last 365 days through ONE of the following options:
  • One TB skin test (also known as a PPD, Mantoux, or TST) OR
  • One TB blood test (commonly QuantiFERON Gold or TSPOT) OR
  • Documentation of clear chest x-rays from within the last three years
• The CNA Health Certification (LMC's physical exam) form signed by a healthcare provider

Immunization Exemptions

If you wish to request an immunization exemption, please contact the Health Sciences Office before registration. After submitting your request for an immunization exemption, you will meet with the Dean of Health Sciences and review the process for requesting an exemption or accommodation from your expected clinical location(s). Some clinical sites may have different requirements or accommodation processes.

Per the Health Sciences Immunization Request procedure: Lake Michigan College does not require immunizations or health screenings. However, some healthcare certificate or degree programs (including the CNA program) require immunization and health screenings as a part of clinical education and presence at the onsite clinical environment. Therefore, you should be prepared to meet these requirements or seek an exemption by following the healthcare organization’s accommodation process.

The decision to grant an exemption request is made by the healthcare organization, not Lake Michigan College. If a student is unable to secure a clinical education placement because they do not meet the relevant healthcare organization’s immunization or health screening requirement, they will be unable to participate in the required clinical education component of their program and therefore unable to complete their program. Our goal is for every student to complete their clinical education. If you seek exemption of an immunization or screening requirement, we will work with you, within our capacity, and the healthcare organization to assist with the process, but ultimately Lake Michigan College does not control the outcome.

If you have questions about this process or any of the outlined clinical requirements, contact the LMC Health Sciences Office at HealthSciences@lakemichigancollege.edu.