Employers

What should be in a CNA job description?

You may have read our blog: What is in the CNA job description.

In that blog, we write about the daily tasks, personalities, and other skills listed in CNA job postings. In this blog, we are going to talk about what changes or additions should be done to these descriptions.

As experts in the caregiving industry, we have insight on what caregivers really do. Below, we have written out What Should be in a CNA Job Description.

1. Daily tasks:

Our other blog talks about the daily tasks performed by CNAs, which are:

  • Bathing, dressing, help with toileting, etc
  • Light housekeeping and laundry
  • Meal planning, preparation, and cooking
  • Grocery shopping and errands
  • Medication reminders and/or management
  • Prescription pick-up
  • Other home care needs

Though this list is accurate, we also think that the following things should be on it:

  • Communication with client's family
  • Communication with your manager
  • Check-in with your client on how they’re doing

Above all, what we have found is that the most successful caregivers check-in with others. Whether it’s your client's family, your manager, or your client, you should check in with them every day. This ensures that your client's family and your manager are in the loop on your client. And, it ensures that your client is best cared for.

2. Personality:

In our other blog [Link], we list the personality traits that agencies list for caregiver jobs. These include:

  • A positive attitude
  • Love working with people
  • Ability to respect all members of the homecare team

 Though these traits are necessary for good caregiving, the traits below should be on the list too:

  • Accountable
  • Organized

If a caregiver is accountable, they’re holding themselves to a high standard of service. For example, an accountable caregiver makes themselves accountable for their client's health. If their client isn’t happy, they see it as their responsibility to help change this. Caregivers that are accountable find themselves providing the highest quality of care possible.

Additionally, if a caregiver is organized, they’re someone who has a set schedule and to-do list each day. When you’re this way as a caregiver, you will be sure to provide your client the care they need each day.

This is why it's important to hire generally organized people. For example, if you have a daily medication schedule, your client will never miss them. Organization allows you to provide high-quality care.

3. Other skills:

Another part of the CNA job description that we discuss in our other blog is other skills. In most CNA job descriptions, you will see the following skills listed: 

  • The ability to lift at least 50 lbs. on a regular basis
  • The ability to read and write in the English language
  • Strong documentation skills

It’s definitely necessary to have these skills, but we also think caregivers should have:

  • Comfort with emergency situations

This is the most important skill left out of many CNA job descriptions. A caregiver can have all the 3 other skills listed and will do their job well, but if they can't handle emergency situations, they’re not prepared to be a CNA.

For example, as a CNA, you’re caring for elderly clients. The elderly have many health issues, especially those who need a CNA to help them. With this said, it’s very common for there to be situations as a CNA where you have to call an ambulance or for other help.

If you’re comfortable: 

(i) Identifying when a client needs emergency help

(ii) Calling an ambulance

(iii) Managing a client's health to the best of your ability before emergency help comes &

(iv) Contacting the client's family after the ambulance arrives

Then, you have the necessary skills to be a good caregiver. Comfort with emergency situations can cause life or death. This is why it  should be added to the CNA job description.

 

4. Education and certifications:

CNA education and certification requirements vary by state. Thus, the job description for CNA depends on the area you’re from.

Most CNA job descriptions say CNAs must:

  • Have high school diploma or GED
  • Complete of state-approved CNA training program

This description isn’t specific enough.

The job descriptions should include the exact requirements, with links on how to get them.

For example, a job description should say:

  • Have a high-school diploma or GED (link to GED programs)
  • Graduate from a Certified Nursing Assistant School (link to CNA school options)
  • Pass the State Exam for CNA certification (link to CNA state exam options)

If the job description said what people need and how they can get it, the descriptions would be more helpful.

 

All in all:

A CNA job is one that requires:

  • The ability to different tasks
  • Certain personality traits
  • Other skills &
  • Certain education and certification requirements

Job descriptions for CNAs are often not descriptive enough for someone to know if they would really be fit for a CNA job.

We wrote this blog to outline what the job descriptions should say so that people can get a better feel for what being a CNA is.

Summary:

Most CNA job descriptions say CNAs must:

  • Have high school diploma or GED
  • Complete state-approved CNA training program

This description isn’t specific enough. For example, a job description should say:

  • Have a high-school diploma or GED
  • Graduate from a Certified Nursing Assistant School
  • Pass the State Exam for CNA certification

If the job description said what people need and how they can get it, the descriptions would be more helpful.

All in all:

A CNA job is one that requires:

  • The ability to different tasks
  • Certain personality traits
  • Other skills
  • Certain education and certification requirements

Job descriptions for CNAs are often not descriptive enough for someone to know if they would really be fit for a CNA job.

This blog has discussed the:

  • Daily Tasks
  • Personality Traits
  • Other Skills
  • Education and Certifications

That is commonly listed in CNA job descriptions. But, it will also outline what should be listed in CNA job descriptions so that they’re more accurate.

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