CNA Job Description: Are you at the point where you are looking for particular CNA jobs? This can be very satisfying because you have gone through the CNA classes, passed the exam, and you are now certified and ready to actually start applying for your first job in the field. It can be intimidating at first when applying because of the sheer number of opportunities out there today for those who are qualified. Are there certain aspects of the CNA job description that you do not understand? Reading the particular CNA job description and comprehending it is a very important part of you being happy in your new career. Let’s take a look at some common elements of a CNA job description and most importantly why they are important for you as an applicant.
CNA Job Description: What Does A CNA Do?
A CNA is basically a member of a clinical health care team who specializes in aiding other health care providers during normal patient routines and procedures.
A CNA is officially categorized as a nursing assistant and to reach this level one must successfully complete a training course and become certified before you actually qualify to become a CNA. Training courses can vary from a 3 month hands on in house course, to certified degree from an accredited trade school or university.
CNA Job Description: CNA duties will vary from facility to facility, but mainly all of the tasks performed by a CNA will be similar no matter where you work.
CNA Job Description – Duties:
- Vitals – One of the main duties of a CAN will be to assess the patient’s vitals. Vitals include taking blood-pressure, checking a pulse, checking temperatures and respirations.
- Checking the patient’s height and weight.
- Acquiring general laboratory samples that does not require certified lab personnel.
- Assisting patients with normal daily activities such as brushing teeth, combing hair, bathing, shaving, dressing & undressing, and assistance going to the toilet.
- Assisting patients with medical equipment during treatment.
- Patient transport from department to department.
- Infection Control
- Making sure the patient is comfortable in their environment.
- Communication skills with members of the health care team.
CNA Job Description: Some Skills and Abilities You Are Going To Need
You must have:
- Good standards of interaction, communication and people skills.
- You will need to be able to comfort and reassure a nervous patient, explain procedures and generally make the patient feel he or she is in good hands.
- The ability to be calm and comfortable around taking and dealing with specimens of blood.
- The temperament to be able to work in a hospital, laboratory, or mobile unit environment.
- Good organizational skills and be accurate, well organized and diligent –people’s lives might depend on the test results. They must be 100% accurate. There is no room for error.
Another factor that comes under the CNA job description is the after care of a patient by recording and keeping accurate patient records within that persons file, and also taking care of routine lab work that may have been taken.
These CNA responsibilities, takes a certain amount of pressure away from other health professionals in the health service, which in turn makes for a more efficient smoother running service overall. It is therefore a very valuable role in today’s health care industry.
CNA Job Description: Where Do CNA’s Work?
Around about 50% of CNA jobs are hospital based. Other work positions might include:
- Working in a private practice for a team of Doctors.
- Working for a laboratory.
- Working in a private health care center.
A CNA job description will usually state that you work a 40 hour week but if you work in a hospital you may have to be on call, work odd hours and work overtime.
The CNA job description gives you a good idea of what to expect.
Resources:
CNA Job Description
National Network Of Career Nursing Assistants – http://www.cna-network.org
loading...
loading...