By
Lanee’ Blunt
A
Certified nursing assistant cares for patients in nursing homes, residential
care facilities, hospitals, and home health care. They must complete a training program and take
a state test to become certified. They are certified by the state in which they
are employed. A nursing aide will work under the supervision of a registered
nurse to aid physicians and nursing staff members as needed. They are direct
caregivers and responsible for patients daily needs.
Job Responsibilities
Responsibilities
include basic care and personal hygiene care such as, bathing, hair care, and
dressing. Nursing aides help patients to and from the bathroom, assisting with
bedpans and bladder and bowel requirements.
They transfer patients to bed and wheelchairs, and transport
individuals. Perform basic medical procedures, such as blood pressure and
temperature and record patient’s health concerns. Some nursing assistants can
dispense medication depending on the state in which they work and their level
of training.
How to Become a Nursing Aide
There
are quite a few ways to become a nursing assistant. Training is offered at
community colleges in which there will be a one ten credit hour course. This course
will help to master theory necessary to assist the medical staff in taking care
of patients. Online programs are offered and that have accreditation these
programs are offered by community colleges for students that may be working a
full time job or live to far from campus. Technical and vocation schools offer
training and the Red Cross has a program.
The Requirements
High
school diploma or GED
A
State nursing assistant certificate from the state licensing board
The
ability to lift a weight requirement and ability to assists residence to
physically transfer from chair to bed to toilet.
For
a homecare position must have a valid driver’s license and good driving record
to transport patients to vocational, recreational, medical, and religious
services.
Education
The
education requirement will vary from state to state. Most training programs
will require that you have your high school diploma or GED as well as
immunizations, and a criminal background check. Some schools require that you
have two letters of reference. The length of the program varies also between
six to fourteen weeks. The course work emphasizes care for elderly patients in
nursing homes and gives the student skills necessary to be consistent with the
care-giving skills that are outlined by the State for nursing assistants. A clinical part has to be completed which
consists of 40 or 52, contact hours in a Long Term Care facility, also depending
on state requirements. After training
contact the testing site to schedule your written and clinical test. After you
pass the test you are issued a certificate that allows you to work for two years,
and after that a renewal notice will be sent to you.
Salary and Benefits
They’re
paid by hour and it may vary from state to state and by the amount of
experience that you have. If you work in Homecare or hospice you will make
$8.19 to $13.14 an hour. As a nursing aide working in a hospital the hourly
wage is $8.77 to $14.52. If you work in a long term or a rehabilitation
facility the hourly wage is $8.53 to $13.50, according to Payscale.com. Most
jobs offer medical benefits, paid holidays, sick leave and paid vacations.
Job Growth
There
is expected growth in employment for certified nursing assistants, according to
the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These positions grow faster than the average of
other jobs due to the rise in the elderly population and older CNA’s which are
approaching retirement age, and also people that are going back to school for
advancement such as licensed practical nurse or a registered nurse position.
Reference:
BLS:
Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants
Payscale:
Certified Nurse Assistants
