CNA stands for certified nursing assistant, and the main role of this position implies providing basic care to patients. A certified nursing assistant also helps patients when it comes to daily activities such as dressing, bathing, etc. Because of the specific CNA job description requirements, a CNA also has to be empathetic, caring, has to like helping others and have excellent communication skills.
What Does a CNA Do?
As part of the health care team, a CNA works under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN) or a licensed practical nurse (LPN), aiding patients with a variety of tasks. These include bathing, eating, getting dressed, getting in and out of bed, toileting. Certified nursing assistants are also in charge of measuring the patients’ vital signs.
Some facilities also require that CNAs administer medication to patients, but this is also influenced by one’s level of experience and training since certain regulations and standards have to be met.
CNA Job Description for Resume – Responsibilities
If you are applying for a job as a certified nursing assistant, you have to make sure that you fit the CNA job description and requirements. CNAs also work with different software from billing to health information software, and they have to know how to handle medical equipment. In addition to these, their responsibilities include:
- Takes patients’ vital signs;
- Bathes and dresses patients and helps them eat and drink;
- Works with medical technology;
- Administers medication to patients;
- Reports to registered nurses;
- Brings all patient concerns and issues to their supervisor;
- Acts like a liaison between patients and doctors and nurses;
- Transports patients to operating rooms;
- Sets up the medical equipment;
- Dresses wounds and cleans the patient, prepping him/her for O.R;
- Serves meals;
- Turns patients who are bedridden or moves them around;
- Empties bedpans;
- Examines patients for different symptoms;
- Cleans the area in which the patients are;
- Restocks rooms;
- Changes bedsheets;
- Administers enemas;
- Provides patients’ comfort;
- Completes forms and reports;
- Keeps the patient’s information confidential.
Certified Nursing Assistant’s Essential Skills
A CNA’s work is vital in both nursing and long-term care facilities as well as in hospitals. The CNA job description states that individuals occupying such a position have to be able to work in a challenging environment. They must have amazing organizational skills and both critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They also must have:
- Phenomenal communication skills;
- Ability to work with billing software, health information software, record charting software;
- Ensures patient’s personal hygiene (showering, bathing, cleaning patients, and emptying bedpans);
- Giving adjunct care by administering enemas, applying restraints and other activities that are included in the CNA job attributions;
- Assists patients when it comes to daily activities like eating, drinking water, and washing;
- Manages patient’s stability by checking his vital signs, weight and other signs that may pose a threat to his health;
- Reporting patient stats to nurses and doctors;
- Offers patients comfort and answers their requests in a diligent manner;
- Follows policies and procedures that are specific to the facilities or hospitals a CNA works in;
- Keeps the professional standards checked;
- Researches information in the field of work in order to keep up with the latest changes and improve one’s knowledge;
- Team oriented;
- Capacity to multitask;
- Nursing skills;
- Observational skills
- Problem-solving skills.
How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant
In order to become a certified nursing assistant, one needs a GED or a high school diploma. In addition to this, nursing assistant training is required. The particular programs can be found in medical facilities but also in trade schools or community colleges. It is important to check if the program you want to follow is approved by your state’s nursing board or not.
Apart from specific job requirements like problem-solving skills or ability to multitask, a certified nursing assistant has to be a sociable, empathetic person that is willing to help others. The CNA’s personality is as important as other skills and requirements related to the job. After all, in long-term care facilities and in nursing homes, a CNA is most of the times the patient’s main caregiver.
The nursing assistant training helps a future CNA practice and polish his or her abilities and skills that are vital for this job. Managing the workload is no easy feat since there has to be a balance between the emotional and functional skills of a certified nursing assistant in order to perform to the best of his or her knowledge.
Education and Training Requirements
Although some facilities and hospitals don’t require work experience, the position is very competitive, which is why previous education and training are an advantage over other competitors. Candidates without experience can still apply for this position since it is an entry-level one. The CNA job description sheds light on the topics the resume should cover.
Employers require that CNA candidates have at least a GED or a high school diploma as well as a nursing assistant training. Enrolling in a program that is approved by your state’s nursing board will certainly help you get closer to building a career in healthcare.
Work Schedules
A CNA’s work schedule depends on the type of facility they are working in. Generally, most certified nursing assistants work in 8-hour shifts during the day or night, covering every other weekend. Some facilities require 3 weekly 12-hour shifts (36-hour work week) for a full-time CNA. As the patients’ needs in different facilities vary, so will the schedule of the certified nursing assistants that look after them.
Career Prospects
There are many career paths for certified nursing assistants. According to the CNA job description, a candidate can work in private, local and even state hospitals, but most work in long-term care and nursing facilities. Since this is a medical field, there will be days when a CNA will be asked to work irregular hours or to work overtime.
Conclusion
As the CNA job description underlies, this is a soliciting job in a fast-paced environment, where attention to details, ability to empathize, and excellent communication skills are a must. A great way to start off a career in the healthcare industry, the certified nursing assistant job offers wide career prospects to individuals to want to advance working in the field.
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