Overview
Certified Nursing Assistants, also known as CNAs, make up the backbone of skilled nursing facilities. They are responsible for the safety and well-being of our residents and are integral members of the team. Other terms often used interchangeably with Certified Nursing Assistant are: Nursing Assistant, Nurse’s Aide, and Patient Care Assistant.
Although the CNA role is often considered an entry level job, their role is crucial to a successfully run Skilled Nursing Facility. Out of all of the employees working in these facilities, CNAs spend more time with residents than both nurses and doctors. Because they spend so much time with residents, they usually have the best understanding of the subtle shifts in their wellbeing. Noticing these subtle shifts can be critical in uncovering issues earlier on than doctors or nurses may be able to.
Here are the primary responsibilities of a CNA:
- Responding to resident call lights to determine needs
- Turning and repositioning residents in their beds
- Providing physical support to residents: getting in and out of bed, bathing, eating, dressing, using the bathroom, standing, walking, and exercising.
- Reviewing dietary restrictions, food allergies, and preferences to ensure residents receive the appropriate diet
- Recording food and liquid intake and output as necessary
- Reporting changes in resident condition to nursing staff
Keep in mind that while these are the main responsibilities of a CNA, they often do so much more than what is listed in the job description. Often, individuals who choose this career path are passionate about caring for others and form a deep connection with the patients they care for.
Cascades Healthcare facilities provide care to both long term and short term patients. For some patients, it is their home, or at the very least, a home away from home. CNAs are often to credit for the nurturing and home-like atmosphere that can be felt in our facilities.
Becoming a CNA
For those considering a career as a CNA, the following traits are useful for CNAs to possess in order to be most successful in the role:
- Empathetic and Responsive
- Steadfast
- Compassionate
- Able to work well with a team
- Level Headed
- Able to persevere
- Responsive and Clear Communicator
- Able Bodied
- Strong Stomach
- Reliable
- Decision Maker
In order to become a CNA, certain educational requirements must be met. The training usually only takes four-ten weeks to complete and includes instruction on basic medical training, ethics and morals related to the job, and of course, proper patient care. After the class is completed and all exams are passed, the individual will receive a CNA license. Many CNAs decide to keep attending school to become a nurse while working as a CNA.
The Many Roles in Our Facilities
Each role in a skilled nursing facility is there for a reason. One thing is for sure, each of these roles is crucial and they all fit together to help our residents recover and feel cared for throughout the duration of their stay. Please follow along this blog series as I dive into each of the roles that exist in our facilities so you can learn more about how our employees positively impact the lives of our residents!
Works Cited
Western Governors University. “What Is a CNA? Job Description and Career Guide.” Western Governors University, Western Governors University, 16 Oct. 2020, https://www.wgu.edu/blog/what-cna-job-description-career-guide2008.html#:~:text=A%20certified%20nursing%20assistant%20helps,the%20supervision%20of%20a%20nurse.&text=CNAs%20work%20directly%20with%20patients,complex%20tasks%20for%20patient%20care.
“What Is a CNA: Nursing Assistant Job Duties & Responsibilities.” Premier Nursing Academy, 11 Nov. 2021, https://www.premiernursingacademy.org/certified-nursing-assistant/what-is-a-cna/.