Among the vast array of health care careers lies
the area of direct care giving. These professionals are often classified
as Certified Nursing Assistants [CNA].
CNAs can be found in nursing homes, hospitals, adult day health
centers, assisted living facilities, even personal homes. Wherever there
is a need for personal care, Certified Nursing Assistants are the ones
who, for the most part, perform the most basic needs for patients, young
and old alike. You will work under the supervision of a registered nurse.
Since CNAs have extensive daily contact with each patient, you are
key to providing vital information on the patients' conditions to the
nurse.
Classes are generally taught by a registered nurse. Our classes offer
the basics of what to expect with this job, however, this is a career
in which skill levels and confidence dramatically improve once the
CNA becomes involved in the daily routine of actual caregiving.
CNAs work closely with patients and provide assistance
with daily living tasks, such as:
- Dressing (according to patients' needs, ranging from minimal assistance to totally dependent)
- Bathing (bed baths, tub baths, showers)
- Feeding (serving meals, physically feeding patients who are unable to do so themselves)
- Toileting (assisting with bedpans & urinals, help to the bathroom, provide incontinent care for patients who need it)
- Vital signs (Blood pressure, pulse, etc)
- Catheter care (emptying, upkeep of Intake & Output sheets when neccessary)
- Answering call lights in a timely fashion
- Assist patients with ambulation, when needed
- Range of Motion exercises, as prescribed by physical therapy
- Assist residents in wheelchairs (a lot of heavy lifting at times)
- Making beds and keeping the patients' rooms and belongings neat and organized
- Ensuring that bedridden patients are turned at least every two hours, to ensure comfort and to prevent bedsores
- Report all changes, physical and mental, of the patients to the nurse
- Post Mortem Care
- Safety awareness--keeping an eye on wanderers and watching for potentially dangerous situations
- Documentation--daily documentation on the care provided to each patient
- Anything else that needs to be done!
A CNA's job does not end with the physical needs of the patients.
This is a job which requires compassion and a desire to make people comfortable
and happy. Residents of nursing homes often suffer from depression and/or
dementia, and the CNA is often the closest human contact afforded to many of
these people. A sense of humor helps in this field!
If this challenging and fullfilling career sounds like you -
please continue to the application.
Please contact The CNA Program for comments
or corrections email | phone:
480-461-7116
