1.3.1 Offenses that Disqualify Learners from Completing the Course: If a Learner’s  background check identifies a disqualifying offense, the Learner will be informed by NextStep and disenrolled. Disqualifying offenses include, but are not limited to:

• Any felony convictions
• Any crimes involving abuse, neglect or exploitation of another person
• Violence towards another person, including domestic violence
• Crimes of a sexual nature, including offenses requiring registration as a sex offender
• The sale, possession, distribution or transfer of narcotics or controlled substances
• Theft in the past seven years
• More than two misdemeanors in the last 24 months
• Operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol more than once in seven years
• Crimes involving the U.S. Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) or Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)
• Crimes involving the Health and Human Services/Office of Inspector General List of Excluded Individuals/Entities or the GSA List of Parties Excluded from Federal Programs
  

1.3.2 Offenses that Disqualify the Learner from Being Placed as a CNA: In cases where a Learner’s background check does not identify a disqualifying offense, but identifies an offense that could potentially disqualify the Learner from being hired by an employer as a CNA, the Learner will be informed by NextStep and given the option to continue enrollment or disenroll voluntarily.

• If the Learner chooses to continue enrollment, the Learner agrees to either continue in the tuition track, if previously selected, or be assigned to the tuition track in the case that no track has been previously selected or placement track has been previously selected.
• If the Learner chooses to voluntarily disenroll, tuition may be due per the NextStep End User Licensing Agreement.

1.5.1 Nondiscrimination: NextStep does not and shall not discriminate against any Learner on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.

1.5.2 Reasonable Accommodation: NextStep complies with all state and federal laws which require NextStep to provide a reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals. To request or discuss a reasonable accommodation, please contact NextStep by email at: programdirector@nextstep.com.

2.3.1 Eligibility for Lab: Once Learners complete Skillset 8, they are eligible to schedule Lab. To attend Lab, Learners must complete the Theory prerequisites as follows:

2.3.2 Lab Evaluation

• Practicing and Getting Feedback: As Learners practice skills in Lab, they are video recorded using a NextStep provided device. Skill videos are played back during Lab so the Learner can review their performance using the NextStep Skill-Specific Scoring Checklist. If upon review, the Learner identifies mistakes were made, the Learner practices the skill again, re-recording their performance as needed until they are confident they have performed the skill in the video following the scoring checklist without mistake.
• Submitting Skill Video for Evaluation: Once the Learner is confident their video is performed following the scoring checklist without mistake, they submit the skill video for official evaluation. The skill video is received by off-site nurse evaluators who review and score the skill video using the NextStep Skill-Specific Scoring Checklist.
• Evaluation: Learners receive their evaluation score as “pass” or “fail” within 72 hours of submitting a video for evaluation. Every action on the scoring checklist is evaluated and scored individually. If an action is bolded, failing to perform it correctly results in automatic “fail”, even if all other steps have been performed correctly. 
  
  Learners must achieve an 85% or higher overall score to pass each skill video and be considered competent in skill performance. If the Learner receives a “pass”, no other action is required. If the Learner receives a “fail”, the evaluator provides feedback on each incorrectly performed action in the NextStep Skill-Specific Scoring Checklist and overall skill performance feedback. After the Learner reviews the feedback they must schedule an Open Lab to practice the skill again in and submit another skill video for evaluation.
  

2.3.3 Maximum Number of Skill Video Attempts for Evaluation: Learners must pass all skills within 3 submissions for evaluation. If a Learner needs to resubmit a skill video for evaluation a fourth time, they will be asked to enter into a Learning Agreement. See Section 3.9 for more information about Learning Agreements.

2.3.4 Open Lab: At Open Lab, the Learner has an opportunity to practice the failed skill video again,  re-record and submit the skill video for evaluation.

2.4.1 Eligibility for Clinical: Once a Learner completes Theory, passes all Lab skill videos, and submits documentation of  Clinical Prerequisites, the Learner is eligible to attend Clinical. These Clinical Prerequisites must be submitted and approved at least 7 business days before the scheduled Clinical time or the Clinical will be cancelled and the Learner will have to reschedule. If a Learner must be cancelled and rescheduled due to failure to submit Clinical Prerequisites on time, fees apply per the NextStep End User Licensing Agreement.

2.4.2 Clinical Prerequisites: Learners are not allowed to attend Clinical and have direct patient contact in Clinical without submitting proof of Clinical Prerequisites. These requirements  are required either by law or the Clinical site itself. Learners will not be approved to attend Clinical unless documentation for all of the following has been submitted and approved per section 2.4.1 on this page.

• Basic Life Support (BLS): Proof of current Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Provider. Expired BLS are not approved. Other types of BLS cannot substitute for Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Provider and are not approved.  
• Health Exam: A health examination verifying the ability to complete caregiver tasks by demonstrating ability to lift at least 30 lbs., squat, sit, bend at waist level and reach overhead.
• Vaccination: Record of TB test and any specific immunizations required by the Clinical site.
  
• Background Check: Criminal background screening per Section 1.3.
  

2.4.3 Clinical Evaluation: Learners are evaluated on the ability to act in a professional manner and perform skills with those receiving care according to the Clinical Skills Checklist. Learners receive feedback about overall performance and areas to improve upon from the Clinical Instructor. If the Clinical Instructor observes any Learner actions that could place the Learner or a person receiving care in an unsafe situation, or behaviors that do not uphold the Clinical Code of Conduct (per 3.7), the Learner may be dismissed from Clinical or disenrolled from the Course after review by the Program Director.

3.1.1 Exception to the 16 Weeks to Complete Policy: Learners who agree to the NextStep End User Licensing Agreement before March 18, 2021, have 16 weeks from March 1, 2021 to complete the course. These Learners are subject to 3.2 and all other Learner policies and the NextStep End User Licensing Agreement terms.

3.4.1 Rescheduling Lab: Learners can reschedule an individual Lab no more than 2 times. There are 6 individual Labs in the Course as noted in 2.3.1. In the event the Learner has used up the allotted 2 reschedule opportunities, the Learner will be involuntarily disenrolled from the Course.

Cancellation Fees related to rescheduling per the NextStep End User Licensing Agreement apply. In the case of and disenrollment, tuition will be charged per the NextStep End User Licensing Agreement.

3.4.2 Tardiness: If a Learner is more than 15 minutes late to Lab, they are not permitted to attend the Lab and must reschedule. Cancellation Fees per the NextStep End User Licensing Agreement apply.

3.4.3 Early Departure: Each individual Lab is 4 hours and Learners are expected to stay for the entire 4-hour period. If a Learner needs to leave early due to an emergency, the Instructor will provide a plan for making up the exact amount of time and skills the Learner did not complete.

3.5.1 Rescheduling Clinical: Learners can reschedule Clinical no more than 2 times. Clinical means the 2-day block of time that Clinical is scheduled. In the event the Learner has used up the allotted 2 reschedule opportunities, the Learner will be involuntarily disenrolled from the Course.
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Cancellation Fees and tuition related to rescheduling and/or disenrollment per the NextStep End User Licensing Agreement apply.

3.5.2 Tardiness:

• Tardy 15 minutes or less: If the Learner is tardy 15 minutes or less from the start of the Clinical, the Learner must, with the instructor, make up time after the Clinical’s end time. Make up time must be equal to the number of minutes tardy.
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  Learners can be tardy 15 minutes or less from the start of the Clinical one time only. If Learners are tardy beyond this one time, they cannot participate in the Clinical as scheduled and will have to reschedule the full clinical day. Cancellation Fees per the NextStep End User Licensing Agreement apply.
• Tardy more than 15 minutes:  If the Learner is more than 15 minutes tardy from the start of the Clinical, they cannot participate in the Clinical as scheduled and will have to reschedule. Cancellation Fees per the NextStep End User Licensing Agreement apply.

3.5.3 Early Departure: Each Clinical day is 8 hours long with a thirty minute lunch break. Learners are expected to stay for the entire time. If a Learner needs to leave early due to an emergency, a plan will be created with the Learner for making up the missed time during another Clinical.

3.6.1 Confidentiality: All personal information Learners become aware of during Lab and Clinical, whether verbal or written, is considered confidential. This includes interactions with NextStep staff, Clinical site staff, individuals receiving care at the Clinical site, and Learners. Learners should report any violations they become aware of to NextStep staff.

3.6.2 HIPAA: Learners are expected to uphold all requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Learners should report any violations they become aware of to NextStep staff.

3.7.1 General Requirement: Learners are expected to behave in an appropriate and professional manner during all interactions with other Learners, individuals receiving care, and NextStep staff including instructors, mentors, and Clinical site staff.

3.7.2 Disciplinary Action: Disciplinary action may include dismissal from Lab or Clinical for the day and/or disenrollment from the Course.

3.7.3 Examples of unprofessional and inappropriate behavior: Unprofessional and inappropriate behavior is not tolerated and could result in dismissal from Lab or Clinical for the day and/or disenrollment  from the Course. This includes violating any part of the NextStep End User Licensing Agreement  and/or NextStep Learner Policies. In addition, unprofessional and/or inappropriate behavior includes, but is not limited to, the examples below:

• Not wearing scrubs and appropriate shoes to Lab and Clinical  per Section 3.8.
• Not following the NextStep attendance policy for attendance, tardiness, early dismissal and no-shows for Lab and Clinical per Sections 3.4 and 3.5. 
• Not respecting the property of others, including, but not limited to, damaging or removing equipment and supplies from the Lab, Clinical site, or residents’ rooms in the site.  
• Not displaying professional, courteous, accommodating and respectful behavior and language at all times. For example, arguing, fighting, being aggressive towards others, threatening others’ welfare, or using profanity in the Lab or Clinical site.
• Not respecting the privacy, rights, privileges, health, and/or safety of other Learners, NextStep staff, site staff, or individuals receiving care in the Clinical site. This includes, but is not limited to, posting images or statuses to social networking sites. 
• Not following NextStep’s no-cheating policy in Lab.  For example,  giving or receiving help during video recording of Lab skills after receiving a warning from the instructor.
• Not refraining from alcohol or drug use before or during  Lab and Clinical.
• Not following policies on where to eat and/or chew gum in Clinical areas.
• Not following the no mobile phone or other electronic device policy in Clinical areas.
• Not acting in a professional manner during Lab or Clinical. Examples of unprofessional behaviors include, but are not limited to the following:

• Not following all Clinical site policies or procedures.
• Not following instructions if given repeatedly
• Not representing self appropriately in the Clinical site. For example, stating inaccurately that they are a CNA or have been trained to insert IVs or other skills outside of the CNA Scope of Practice. 
• Not following constructive feedback from the instructor or other NextStep staff. 
• Not following Lab and Clinical schedules, confirmed by NextStep,   including trading with another Learner without permission. 
• Not following instructor assignments in the Clinical site.  For example, performing skills for which they have not been assigned,  trained or found proficient by the instructor, not completing assigned duties, or performing skills outside of the CNA Scope of Practice. 
• Not reporting or documenting information about an individual’s care with the instructor or Clinical site staff.  
• Not communicating with the instructor or appropriate site staff when leaving the Clinical unit. 
• Not being permitted to stay at or return to the Clinical site per the request of site staff.
• Not achieving proficiency in skills as determined by the Clinical instructor. 
• Not treating individuals, peers, instructors or mentors in a manner free of abuse, neglect or mistreatment.  

3.9.1 When is it used: Indicated when the instructor identifies the Learner has:

• Failing a skill video 3 times per 2.3.3.
• Failing more than 75% of the videos in one lab.
• Failing more than 50% of all videos submitted for evaluation.
• Inappropriate or unprofessional behavior per Section 3.7.3.

3.9.2 What is it: A digital document shared with the Learner to review and, if they agree to it, sign. This document includes the identified problem(s), needing corrective action, date that corrective action has to be achieved by, and consequences if the learning agreement is not followed.  If the Learner does not agree to the Learning Agreement, the Learner will be involuntarily disenrolled. If the Learner signs the learning agreement, but fails to meet all goals of the plan by the specified dates, they will be involuntarily disenrolled. 

In case of disenrollment, tuition will be charged to the Learner per the NextStep End User Licensing Agreement . 

3.10.1 Voluntary Disenrollment: If a Learner chooses to voluntarily disenroll, they should contact their mentor or programdirector@nextstep.com  in writing and state that they want to disenroll. Tuition may be due in case of disenrollment per the NextStep End User Licensing Agreement.

3.10.2 Involuntary Disenrollment: Learners are involuntarily disenrolled in the following circumstances:

• Incomplete within 16 Weeks: See Section 3.1. 
• Background Check identifies a disqualifying offense: See Section 1.3.1.
• Unprofessional and Inappropriate Behavior: See Section 3.7.
• Failure to Maintain Learning Agreement: See Section 3.9.
• Failure to Respond to Mentor Communication when Off Pace: See Section 3.3.
• Exceeds Maximum Number of Times to Reschedule Lab or Clinical:  See Sections 3.4 and 3.5.

Learners who are involuntarily disenrolled are notified of disenrollment in writing by email. Tuition may be due in case of disenrollment per the NextStep End User Licensing Agreement . 

Re-enrollment for Learners who are involuntarily disenrolled is per Section 1.6.