CNA’s are on the front lines for providing basic care to patients in a variety of health care facilities, with responsibilities ranging from assisting with personal daily needs such as bathing and exercising, to monitoring vital signs and dietary restrictions. Job requirements tend to be non-invasive procedures and revolve around daily routines that patients may not be able to complete on their own. Working under the supervision of licensed nurses, CNA’s provide personal, professional assistance, ensuring patients are treated with dignity and respect while receiving necessary medical care.
In addition to being able to provide day-to-day care to their patients, CNA’s must be compassionate communicators who can support their patients through difficult and sometimes painful procedures. Because they provide many basic care services such as bathing patients, and helping them transfer to wheelchairs, they must also have a certain level of physical fitness. Serving as liaisons between other medical professionals and their patients, CNA’s record and convey important information concerning the condition of those in their care and are very important to medical teams. CNA’s are found in nearly every health care field, serving in locations such as long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, hospices, and home care.
Our program is a mix of classroom, lab training, and clinical learning, for sound development of the CNA skills.
- nursing fundamentals
- infection control protocol, anatomy, and nutrition
- practical skills that prepare students with the competence to enter the healthcare industry
- health topics with focus on the spectrum of nursing services.
We integrate practical care skills so our students learn to communicate empathetically and understand the importance of professional team work. During the clinical portion, facilities deliver a fast-paced environment for training where students begin working with patients quickly. A number of facilities provide real-world training experiences immediately where the emphasis on communication skills and the art of caregiving; procedural skills covered include vital signs, positioning, bathing, and dressing.
Opportunities for Advancement
After completing training, CNAs may choose to pursue further credentials that allow them to specialize their work. Individual state councils or subject-specific organizations, such as the National Council of State Boards of Nursing or the American Board of Wound Management, typically provide these additional credentials. Available specializations include opportunities to become activity assistants, medication aides, wound care associates, and patient care technicians. Continuing education could also lead to certifications as physical therapy assistants, occupational therapy assistants, and even degrees as registered nurses.