A CNA or Certified Nursing Assistant works under the supervision of a licensed professional. The nursing assistant does hands-on care, vital signs, light paper work and acts as the liaison between the patient and nurse. Since Certified Nursing Assistants are the ones who provide the most contact and care, patients are more comfortable with them.
Before you work in any of the available CNA jobs, there are things that the state requires. You must receive qualified training and pass the certification exam. A qualified course teaches you every aspect of working in the field including patient rights.
Patient care, vital signs, communication, proper body mechanics and customer service skills are top areas of study. A successful nursing assistant who excels at school or class goes on to take a certification test. The test usually consists of two parts: a written test and clinical test. You must pass both tests to receive your certification.
CNA jobs are available in a number of healthcare settings. Most nursing assistants begin their careers in nursing homes or elder care facilities. Nursing home facilities often offer training classes and hire students afterward. You receive all the necessary skills and training at no charge. The care assistants give in this environment is more hands-on. Pay is also lower because you’re a new assistant.
Others become Home Health Aides for home healthcare organizations. Home Health Aides learn to assist with medication, make appointments and become companions to home-bound patients. They work without supervision during their shifts, but report to a Nurse Manager when needed.
Those who work in assistant living facilities are known as Personal Care Attendants. They help with dressing or run small errands for residents. These residents do not need a great deal of care as with nursing home or hospital patients.
Although the title of CNA jobs varies by healthcare area, the high level of care and skill remains the same. Certified Nursing Assistants wear many hats and are the backbones of nursing.
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