Certified Nursing Aides (C.N.A.’s) have completed classroom and field training programs which are regulated by each state’s department of health. After graduating from a nursing aide or assistant school, they must pass the state’s certification exam to be hired as a certified nursing aide.
Senior home care agencies hire both companion caregivers and certified nursing assistants. Sometimes care assignments require the skills of a nursing assistant but do not require the certification to be active. Other times, the certification must be valid and long-term care insurance companies may require a copy of the certificate in order to pay for the claim.
While companion caregivers can assist seniors with memory loss or with housekeeping, errands, meal preparation and scheduling of appointments, a caregiver with nursing training is required to assist senior’s who require more hands-on care with their activities of daily living (ADL’s).
Certified Nursing Aide Job Description
- Monitor daily health: temperature, respiration, blood pressure
- Assist with bathing
- Assist with transfers
- Assist with bathroom visits (catheter care)
- Assist with meals (feeding tubes, liquids, purees)
- Assist with exercises
- Document care and daily activities
Many more skills are taught in nursing aide training programs. You can take a sample nursing aide test or a practice test to learn more and find C.N.A. training programs in your area.
Caregivers with certification will enjoy ongoing employment as the senior population is projected to double in the next 50 years.
