CNAedu.com

  • CNA Classes
  • CNA Certification Requirements

CNA Salary in Alabama

Certified nursing assistants in Alabama are one among the members of a health care team that work alongside registered nurses in health care facilities. CNA’s are anticipated to increase in demand by about twenty-one percent between 2012 and 2022 based on the estimates of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is favorable entry level health care job for those with interest in the health care industry. A popular question for those interested in this occupation is, “What is the CNA Salary in Alabama?”

The average annual income of certified nursing assistants in Alabama is approximately between $18, 720 to $22, 880. In comparison to the average salary for CNA in United States, the salary of CNAs in Alabama is lower than other states. The mean hourly rate is about $10.38. The value of salary varies in different cities of the state because of some factors and these include the following:

Nursing assistant working in Alabama– Experience – it is advantageous if one has more experience because he or she will be earning more income compared to the inexperienced ones. Other than getting higher pay rate for having work experience, CNA can as well be offered with more benefits. CNAs with experience of less than one year can earn about $20, 000 per year up to $30, 000 depending on the work location. Workers having ten years of experience can earn an average annual income up to $32, 000.

– Location – individuals working in rural areas receive lesser pay rate compared to those who work in cities. The location is also a factor with regards to the cost of living. This means that the lower the cost of living is, then the lower the salary a nurse aide receives. In this connection, CNAs in Alabama earns lower salary because this state is regarded to have lower cost of living.

– Employer – salary depends on the type of employer from whom you are working for as CNA. Usually, those working in school district earns lesser than those working in private companies. The highest income wage for CNAs are offered in state or local governments, federal government, and hospitals.

The following is the estimated average income of CNAs according to different employers or employment settings:

– General Medical and Surgical Hospitals $28, 150
– Employment Services $26, 230
– Nursing Care Facilities $24, 970
– Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly $24, 240
– Home Health Care Services $23, 940

Listed below is the CNA Salary in Alabama for different cities throughout the state and certified nursing assistants’ corresponding salary wage for single year:

– Auburn $26, 128
– Birmingham $30, 012
– Decatur $25, 321
– Dothan $26, 243
– Florence $25, 779
– Gadsden $27, 534
– Georgiana $25, 132
– Huntsville $29, 819
– Madison $29, 819
– Mobile $29, 050
– Montgomery $27, 610
– Prattville $27, 610
– Tanner $27, 795
– Tuscaloosa $29, 343

Certified nursing assistants are offered with benefits that they can take advantage of and these include the following:

– Travel benefits
– Health insurance
– Retirement plans
– Disability insurance
– Overtime pay
– Pension plans
– Bonus
– Performance

To be able to begin your career as CNA in Alabama, it is required that you comply the following:

– Complete training program approved by the state which is 75 hours composed of both lecture and clinical training
– Pass the nurse aid examination
– Pass a background check
– Obtain a CNA verification
– based incentives

Visit this page to learn more about available CNA classes in Alabama to receive your certification to work.

 

Filed Under: CNA Pay Scale

CNA Salary in NC (North Carolina)

Nursing assistants in North Carolina are health care professionals who render quality care to patients under the supervision of licensed practical nurses or registered nurses. They are otherwise referred to as nurse aids or patient care assistants. One of the most popular questions for those looking in to this career choice, is what is the CNA salary in NC?

Based on the US Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, the average yearly income of certified nursing assistants in North Carolina state is about $22,860 in 2013 of May. According to indeed.com, the mean salary pay of CNA is approximately $23, 000 as of year 2015 in January.

Nursing assistant checking vital signs on the jobIn general, the bracket for the average pay of CNAs is $16,500 to $30,000 annually. The salary varies to different individuals because of several factors which include the work experience requirement, changes in locations, healthcare facilities, employers, and many more. Entry level CNA’s can expect to start at an hourly rate of around $12.

In North Carolina, having the work experience in the nursing field is very influential in getting higher salary. It aids in gaining the annual income wage. Having a minimum of one or two years of work experience is already beneficial for certified nursing assistants to be able to achieve greater paying positions. Not only that CNAs get higher pay rate but they also get the opportunity to receive lots of benefits.

It may not be a surprise that the kind of education that certified nursing assistants have will affect the salary that they are going to get. They may be required to have the diploma and training, however the most important factor that employers require is their work experience.

To have work experience means to gain higher salary wage. The salary of certified nursing assistants is actually the discretion of the employers in North Carolina. A lot of them mostly have the lowest pay for those who work in nursing homes or other home health agencies.

When CNAs are able to work for a while on the job and gain more work experience, they will already be able to apply for positions in various health care settings including the hospitals, schools, government agencies, and private companies. In this connection, certified nursing assistants can get higher pay because of the work experience which they already have and they will also be offered with more benefits.

The salary per year of certified nursing assistants varies according to different backgrounds or professional settings:

– Self Employed $47, 000
– Hospital $32, 000
– Home Health Agencies $30, 000
– Nursing Home $25, 000
– Home Care $23, 000

The estimated annual base CNA salary in NC for various North Carolina cities is listed as follows:

– Ashville $29, 151
– Burlington $27, 601
– Charlotte $30, 222
– Durham $28, 423
– Fayetteville $28, 349
– Greenville $27, 937
– High Point $29, 984
– Jacksonville $24, 621
– Kannapolis $29, 204
– Rocky Mount $27, 937
– Salisbury $29, 765
– Wilmington $26, 475
– Winston Salem $29, 984

Throughout the country, the state of North Carolina has approximately three percent of nursing assistants. It is expected that the job openings for nursing assistants will be more than average in the future.

To get further information about attending CNA classes in NC check out this page.

Filed Under: CNA Pay Scale

CNA Salary in Texas

For those looking to become a member of a health care team as a certified nursing assistant in the state of Texas one of the top questions is what is the CNA salary in Texas? These types of health care providers care for different patients under the supervision of registered nurses or LPNs. Part of their duties are to feed, transport, and groom their patients. They also offer assistance to RNs or LVNs as needed on a daily basis.

The healthcare industry is offering a career advancement with stable income as well as greater job opportunities. However, the salaries of certified nursing assistants vary depending on several factors and these may include the following:

– Location of the job
– Work setting or facility
– Work experience
– Shift differentials

In Texas, the average certified nursing assistant salaries are three percent lower compared to the average certified nursing assistant salaries for national job postings. The mean salary ranges from approximately $20,000 to $24,000 per year. A lot of certified nursing assistants in Texas find this amount of salary just enough for a living. As an example the average hourly wage for a CNA in the city of Houston, Texas is $11.64.

The work experience of CNAs play a big impact with regards to hourly wages. If the CNA has tried working in health care in the past then there is greater chance that he or she will be able to land in a higher paying position compared to the entry-level nursing assistant. Having a work experience will allow the individual to apply for positions in different settings including the hospitals, government agencies, or other private hospitals. Entry-level CNAs often work in nursing homes or home health agencies.

The salaries of certified nursing assistants depend on the care settings and these are stated below:

– Federal executive branches $17.68 per hour
– Schools $15.86 for each hour
– General medical and surgical hospitals $13.95 for each hour
– Staffing agencies $12.39 per hour
– Nursing homes or long-duration care $12.36 hourly
– Assisted living facilities $12.08 for each hour
– Home health agencies $11.89 for every hour

In connection to the work experience required by most of the employers, the longer employment you have as certified nursing assistant, the more money that you will be earning. The increase in pay is based on the valuable work experience as well as education. This would also mean that your responsibilities and duties as certified nursing assistant will increase. It is indeed essential that you take advantage of whatever training opportunities that come along during your career because this helps in boosting your skills and your credentials as well.

Below are some factors influencing the increased demand for CNAs:

– Increased population of elderly
– High turnover of medical staff
– Hospital and healthcare facility expansion
– Overall growth of medical industry

Below is a breakdown of the CNA salary in Texas depending on which city they are working from. Large cities and metro areas generally offer a higher annual base salary, as well as a higher cost of living:

– Arlington $29,643
– Austin $29,857
– Beaumont $29,771
– Carrollton $29,845
– Dallas $30,613
– El Paso $27,895
– Fort Worth $30,124
– Garland $29,969
– Houston $31,100
– Odessa $21,814
– San Antonio $30,837

Based on the United States Department of Labor and the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics., the healthcare position employment like CNAs is going to increase by about twenty one percent though the year 2022. With this outlook, there will also be increase in the number of certified nursing assistant students. They expect job openings to increase by 312,000 during that time.

Visit this page to find out more information about CNA training in Texas.

Filed Under: CNA Pay Scale

CNA Salary in Florida

Certified nursing assistants are members of a health care team working at hospitals, nursing home’s and long term care facilities. The demand for quality care is increasing in the state of Florida each year. As the need grows a common question asked for those wanting to enter the profession, is what is the CNA salary in Florida? There is an estimation that the average hourly pay rate for nursing assistant in Florida is an average of $11.13 which is approximately $28,000 for each year.

In Florida, the recruitment for certified nursing assistants has grown and is a great opportunity to gain experience in the medical field. The profession of CNAs, or otherwise known as nursing aides, are regarded as one of the most sought-after employees to help health care organizations with their day to day duties. With its high demand, they are expected to render high quality care to Group of nurses in scrubs at medical facilityclients under the supervision of registered nurses or LPNs. Part of their duties include taking vital signs like pulse rate and blood pressure, recording food and fluid intake of patients, monitoring catheters, and changing bedpans.

Education is as important as with other professions because it is the key to get the job that you desire. Education and training is vital for work opportunities however work experience is more influential in being able to earn higher salary wage. If you constantly work as certified nursing assistant for years then you will be able to apply for positions in bigger health settings like hospitals , government agencies, or private companies.

Entry-level certified nursing assistants with a year of work experience earn less compared to other CNAs who have two or more years of work experience. CNAs having the minimum educational requirement is able to annually earn about $20, 000 while CNAs having additional education, degree, certifications or training can earn approximately $28, 000 to $30, 000 for each year.

Just like the other states of US, Florida offer greater chances of getting higher salary wage in urban areas compared to countryside areas. There is better work facilities as well as career prospects in the metropolis areas.

The average salaries for job postings for certified nursing assistants in Florida is about seven percent lower compared to the CNA salaries for national job postings. According to the Department of Labor of USA, healthcare employment for CNAs is anticipated to increase by about twenty percent up to year 2020.

The following are various facilities and their corresponding pay rate per hour:

– Hospitals – the pay rate is higher in hospitals than in other facilities ranging from $11 to $15 per hour.
– Nursing Homes – the usual earning is between $10 to $13 for each hour.
– Community Care Facilities – pay rate per hour is approximately $9 to $12.
– Home Health Aides – the hourly rate is about $8 to $11.

The following is a list of CNA Salary in Florida for different cities and their corresponding annual wage for certified nursing assistants:

– Boca $27, 151
– Brandon $26, 298
– Cape $24, 537
– Daytona Beach $25, 030
– Fort Lauderdale $26, 632
– Gainesville $24, 896
– Hollywood $26, 632
– Jacksonville $26, 3665
– Melbourne $24, 685
– Miami $27, 053
– Orlando $26, 230
– Palm Bay $24, 685
– Pembroke Pines $25, 929
– Pompano Beach $26, 632
– Saint Petersburg $26, 092
– Spring Hill $25, 075
– Tampa $26, 326
– West Palm Beach $26, 090

To get more information about attending CNA classes in Florida click here.

Filed Under: CNA Pay Scale

CNA Skills

If you are looking forward to being a certified nursing assistant, here are some of the necessary skills that you will need to possess. These are important as they are skills that you would have to use on the job everyday.  These CNA skills can be learned or acquired and you will find that with proper training and practice things will come more easily.

Certified nursing assistants are expected to take care of elderly people, the physically incapacitated, as well as patients who are in the process of recovery.  They are needed to assist nurses and physicians in some aspects of their job, and duties will often be performed under their guidance.

To become a good CNA, you have to learn these basic skills:

  • Basic care for patients
  • Understanding of medical terminology
  • Following proper safety regulations
  • Observing patients
  • Reporting incidents regarding patients
  • Looking after some of the requirements for your patient
  • Looking after the needs or requests of your patient and knowledge of CPR

These are the basic skills that you need to know once you become certified.  They will be the daily tasks and routines that you will need to perform that you will encounter in your daily rounds.

Basic care includes:

  • Bathing the patient
  • Helping them with their bathroom activities
  • Cleaning them and dressing them
  • Feeding and nourishment
  • Measuring and recording vital signs
  • Maintaining emotional support and well-being

These duties need some proper discretion as to avoid making the patient feel embarrassed and that would need some time to develop. You also will be the one to handle your patient’s requests.  You have to be immediate and quick in your response as they can sometimes be for emergencies and may mean a matter of life and death.  You also need to alert regarding any changes that a patient may have after taking some medication or food so that you could report them immediately to the nurse or physician available.

Minor incidents need to be reported as well and a keen observation would be one of the necessary skills that you would need for it.  Knowledge of CPR is a good thing to have in such cases especially when there is nobody else around who is capable of administering it to the patient. You would also need to fill-out forms for your patient’s charts and also to check for their vital signs as well.  These skills are all taught in school and a good grasp of them is required before you become certified. Knowing the terminologies and the proper information to fill is a necessary part of your job.

Becoming a certified nursing assistant is a major responsibility.  You will be the one to be in constant contact with the patient and so would be the first to notice any sign of change in them.  Knowing what to do in emergency cases and giving the proper information to the person in charge would be some of the major skills that you would have to master in order to be efficient in your job.  Handling your patients both emotionally and physically well is also another skill that you need to master to have a good relationship with them.

health-care-exam-room-bed-44065CNA Clinical Skills Test Checklist

One of the most important things to learn and take to heart when you are getting your certification is the clinical skills test checklist.  It accounts for more than half of the passing grade in some states which gives you more reason to focus on this particular aspect well.  Most test takers find the theoretical exam much easier than the practical skills test, where they will be scrutinized very carefully on how well they can deliver the skills that they have learned for the few months of CNA training.  Execution can sometimes be very tricky especially if you have not practiced well during your clinical sessions at the training center.

The certification exam is your day of judgment on your path to becoming a full-fledged nursing assistant.  By being able to pass this test successfully, you will gain the opportunity to work as a nurse aide in any public of private health institution in your state.  Taking the type of work that a health care professional will be involved with in their future employment, the state has made stringent rules on the certification exams.  One will be tested carefully if they really know the nature of the undertaking that lies ahead.

This can be determined more carefully during the clinical skills test which can usually be the second part of the certification exam.  In this test, you will be asked to demonstrate predetermined or randomly selected skills which you have learned during your training.  It is at this point where you will be assessed on whether you can really do the tasks that shall be demanded from you once you get hired.

You may be tested on any of the following skills depending on the state where you will be taking your exam: Hand washing, assisting patients with the use of a bedpan, using transfer belts for ambulating patients, cleaning dentures both upper and lower, feeding, dressing, and giving bed baths to patients, giving passive types of exercises to the patient, positioning the patient on his or her side, putting snit-embolism stockings to the patient, counting a patient’s radial pulse and respiration, using protective personal equipment, measuring solid and liquid outputs of the patient, determining a patient’s blood pressure, providing nail, mouth and foot care to the patient, giving catheter and perineal care to the patient, and transferring a patient to a wheelchair with the use of transfer belt.

Mastering each of these CNA skills is very important if your state requires you to perform randomly selected skills during the certification exams.  You need to pay careful attention to each and every task that you are required to do as well as perform all of the required skills with ease and perfection.  It will be the only way to make sure that you pass the test.  Prepare your mind well before taking the exam.  Panic, which is a very common experience among first time test takers, can be avoided if you are mentally as well as physically prepared to do all of the said tasks.

CNA Clinical Skills Help

Here is a list of the common CNA skills & tasks you will perform as a certified nursing assistant:

  • Ambulate Resident Using a Gait Belt
  • Applying TED Hose
  • Assisting Residents With The Use Of Bedpans
  • Catheter Care for a Female
  • Cleaning Dentures
  • Communication Skills
  • Communicating With Patients Who Have Problems Speaking
  • Communicating With the Hearing Impaired
  • Dressing a Patient With a Weak Side
  • Dressing a Dependent Patient
  • Empty Urinary Drainage Bag and Measuring Output
  • Feeding a Resident
  • Giving a Partial Bed Bath
  • Hand Washing Techniques
  • Helping Assist a Patient with Dementia
  • Indirect Care Skills
  • Making an Occupied Bed
  • Measure Height and Weight of a Supine Patient
  • Measure and Record Blood Pressure
  • Measure and Record Apical Pulse
  • Measuring and Recording Radial Pulse
  • Measure Breathing Rate
  • Provide Foot Care
  • Provide Oral Care
  • Provide Perineal Care
  • Performing Fingernail Care
  • Positioning a Patient On Their Side
  • Range of Motion Exercises
  • Range of Motion for Elbow and Wrist
  • Range of Motion for One Shoulder
  • Range of Motion Exercises for the Knee and Ankle
  • Transfer from a Bed to Wheelchair
  • Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Filed Under: CNA Skills Tagged With: duties, skills, tasks

How Much Does a CNA Make in NY

A common question for those in the field of health care in New York, is how much does a CNA make in NY? The work salary of a CNA in NY varies depending on the state from where they are working. The average hourly rate is about $12.22 which could some up to $25, 420 per year. The biggest employer for nursing assistants are the nursing care facilities which gives an average rate of $11.76 per hour.

CNA’s who work in hospitals get paid with an hourly average rate of $13.12. In community care facilities, CNAs get $11.31 per hour. Among the various settings, the scientific research establishments are the ones who pay higher rates with an average of $17.75 per hour. The federal government gives a payment average of $17.23 per hour and the colleges or universities give an hourly rate of $15.48.

nursing assistant in exam roomDepending on several factors like the cost of living as well as the local minimum wages, the salary rate of CNA’s are affected. New York is regarded as the second state having the highest average rate of $15.30 per hour because urban areas like this have higher standard of living.

The employers as well have an impact on the salary wage in New York. The big companies prefer to hire CNA’s having more work experience. In this connection, they offer high rates because of the skills and experience that the CNA’s possess because they do not want to compromise the quality of care that the certified nursing assistants will be providing to the clients.

The average annual salary wage of the nursing assistants in New York can range between $21,000 to $41,000. Presently, the hourly wage ranges from $10 to $19.50 or even more. The ideal salary wage for the certified nursing assistants in New York is about $34,000 and this is its standard rate per year.

New York has already recruited approximately 100, 410 certified nursing assistants having a median hourly rate of $15.15. Below are different cities located in New York and their corresponding average annual income.

– Queens $37,000
– Nassau $29,000
– Huntington $29,000
– Albany $28,000
– Utica $27,000
– Jamestown $26,000
– Binghamton $25,000
– Buffalo $23,000

Listed below are the various settings where the certified nursing assistants render their care and it also includes their average annual income depending on the professional background.

– Self Employed $58,000
– Hospital $39,000
– Home Health Agencies $36,000
– Nursing Home $30,000
– Home Care $28,000

Certified nursing assistants are members of the health care team whose work is being supervised by the registered nurses or LVN’s. As part of their duties, they render nursing care to the clients, residents, or customers in varied health care settings and these include providing assistance with bathing or hygiene, taking of vital signs, and helping with ROM exercises.

In the United States, New York is regarded as a rising state that holds a lot of job offers for the certified nursing assistants. It is essential to have the skills and good work experience in order to get higher hourly rate and this can be beneficial for the CNA’s.

Visit this page for more information about CNA classes in NY listed by city.

Filed Under: CNA Pay Scale

How Much Does a CNA Make in California

For those who desire to become a nursing assistant a common question is “how much does a CNA make in California?” The salary of certified nursing assistants in California is enough to make a living that may no longer require an additional second job. Just like other states, the wages of CNA’s varies depending on their work experience. Entry-level CNA’s typically have less earnings compared to more experienced CNA’s.

The annual wage of certified nursing assistants in California is about $21,000 to $31,000. The difference for the wage is due to the variety of employers existing in California who offer different rates. CNA’s who work in bigger towns or cities can earn more than those who work in smaller towns. The basis of the salary difference is the costs of living of the area.

Getting more work experience benefits CNA’s because they will be offered higher salary rates in California. Most of the time CNA’s at entry-level jobs can find it hard to work in hospital or government settings because they are required to have additional training. Experienced CNA’s can enjoy different benefits with a secure job as well as greater opportunities to be able to work in bigger companies and with additional opportunities for advancement.

The demand for certified nursing assistants has been increasing in the country along with jobs in the field of health care. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, California is regarded as very populated. As of the year 2009 the data presents approximately 14.5 million employed individuals. The salary in California falls into two levels namely the highest paying level and the lowest paying level.

With the annual salary wage of $21,000 to $31,000 for CNA’s, one can even earn more than that when presented with overtime. California, being one of the highest paying cities, offers an average hourly rate of approximately $10.84 to $17.17. Certified nursing assistants can take advantage of their status as they are able to demand higher work rates due to the need for qualified care.

Not all CNA’s receive the same salary. Employers play a big impact because they are the ones who decide the wages and work environment. Their decisions are influenced on the location of the work, whether it is situated in a city or a small town. Being employed by bigger employers allows you to earn a higher salary.

In addition the type of facility will also determine your rate of pay with many retirement homes paying less than the same occupation in a hospital setting. There are a lot of places located in California where entry-level CNA’s are hired by health agencies or nursing homes which in return offer lesser pay rate.

Below is a list of some of the cities located in California with their corresponding annual salary income:

– Anaheim $31,763
– Bakersfield $28,543
– Burbank $31,604
– Carson $31,612
– Downey $31,494
– Fontana $29,874
– Glendale $31,604
– Los Angeles $31,604
– Monterey $31,692
– Oakland $32,076
– Palmdale $30, 540
– Sacramento $30,516
– San Diego $30,398
– Temecula $29,472

Certified nursing assistants indeed play an important role in the field of health care. No matter where the workplace may be, or how much you are earning for that job, it is vital that you should render high quality care to your clients, may it be in the hospital, nursing homes, or other health care setting.

To get more info about receiving your certification visit this page to find CNA classes in CA listed by city.

Filed Under: CNA Pay Scale

Washington State Nurse Aide Registry

The Washington State Nurse Aide Registry is a good source of information for nursing assistants and nursing facilities alike.  The registry was created in accordance with federal and state laws which require each state to have their own registries in order for the public to gain access to the right type of health services that they need. The CNA registry is open to the public and is free to use for anyone who wishes to learn more about nursing aide work and education as well as the list of eligible nursing assistants who can work at nursing facilities in the state.

Washington Nurse Aide Registry
P.O. Box 47877, Olympia, WA 98504-7877
Physical Address: 111 Israel Rd SE, Tumwater, WA 98501
Phone: 360-725-2570
Customer Service Center: 360-236-4700
Fax: 360-493-2581
Email Contact: hsqa.csc@doh.wa.gov
Hours of Operation: 8 AM – 4:30 PM Monday – Friday
WA Provider Credential Search

The registry constantly updates their information allowing the public to gain useful information with regards to several important nursing aide topics.  These include curriculum and educational requirements in order for one to become a certified nurse aide in the state.  The registry is also the entity which has the responsibility of providing current information to nursing facilities who wish to hire nursing assistants in their facilities.  Through the registry, they will be able to know whether a potential employee has a current and active status or not allowing them to screen their candidates more carefully and making the appropriate hiring decisions.

seattle-washington-skyline-022The registry is also a useful tool for nursing assistants themselves due to the different services that it can provide for them.  Some of them are the personal identification process; the supplying of relevant information with regards to their work history;  recording any record of abuse and disciplinary action taken against the CNA; and the determining of a nurse aides eligibility to work in a nursing facility.  With this information, the worker would learn whether or not to make the necessary steps to correct any personal information contained in their accounts or to make renewal applications if necessary.

A nursing assistant is entered into the nurse aide registry by complying with the various requirements which are imposed by the state.  This includes undergoing a proper CNA training in WA at an accredited training facility, having the necessary eligibility requirements for reciprocity, and passing the nursing assistant certification exam which is conducted by the state.

By being able to comply with the said requirements, a nursing assistant will be included in the online registry of the state making them eligible to be hired for work at an approved nursing facility, or health care center.  Through their employment history and personal information, an employer would be able to make the necessary decisions with regards to the hiring process. To read more about the recent WA nurse aide certification requirements visit this link.

If you want to get the certification status of a potential candidate, you can visit the state’s registry website to learn more about their work background, personal information and other pertinent information.  You can look for worker information by entering their name, last name, and certification number through the online CNA search offered by the website.  You will be able to get the latest information with regards to the certification status as well as any record of complaint or abuse during their tenure in a nursing facility through the registry.

Filed Under: Nurse Aide Registry Tagged With: registry, wa, washington

Texas Nurse Aide Registry

The Texas Nurse Aide Registry provides current and up to date information about the list of eligible nursing aides in the state of Texas.  You can easily look up the current status of a CNA by simply logging on to their website and doing a nurse aide lookup.  The registry was created in compliance with the federal and state laws which require each state to create a list of eligible individuals who can serve as nursing aides in the state.  It is important that all employers should look up the certification status of applicants before proceeding to hire them on their facilities.

Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS)
701 W. 51st St. Austin, Texas 78751
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 149030, Austin, Texas 78714-9030
Phone: 512-438-3011
Fax: 512- 438-2052
Credentialing Enforcement unit: 512-438-5495
Verification: 800-452-3934
TX Registry Website
Registry testing managed by: Pearson Vue
NACES Plus Foundation, Inc.
8501 North Mopac Expressway, Suite 400
Austin, TX 78759
Customer service phone support line: 1-800-274-2900
TX License Verification Search

The CNA registry is an important tool for anyone who has an interest about nursing aide work.  This includes nursing facility employers, private home care facilities, and nurse aides themselves.  Through the registry, one will be able to learn about the current certification status of a nursing assistant which can affect the employer’s decision as to hire them or not.  The state does not allow anyone who is not listed under the registry to be hired by any private employer of by a nursing facility.  They should first be eligible under the registry before they can proceed to the hiring process. If you have not yet been certified you should visit this page to learn more about the current Texas nursing assistant certification requirements.

taking-patient-pulse-7722The registry is also useful for nursing aides themselves.  Through the registry, they can easily access the Board of Nursing through which the registry is run.  Nurse aides can easily provide new information about their employment status and any change of information that they wish to do on their profile.

Every candidate on the CNA registry has his or her own record which is constantly updated by the website in order to provide accurate information for potential employers.  This includes the workers name, certification status, as well as any record of disciplinary action which may have been done by the Board against the nurse aide. Those who are certified nurse aides should remember that their license needs to be updated every two years with a minimum of 24 hours of in-service education.

The public in general can access the registry by logging on to the internet.  There is no fee for accessing the nurse aide information with regards to the list of persons that are eligible for CNA work in the state.  You will only need to enter the nurse aide’s name, birthday, or certification number in order to get the information that you need.  You will be able to see the current certification status of the candidate, whether it is active, suspended, or inactive, in order for you to make the best decision with regards to the hiring process.

If you want to know if an applicant is eligible to work for your facility, the best way would be to visit the Texas Nurse Aide Registry.  The website contains valuable information concerning nurse aides and their certification status as well as other relevant information with regards to this particular occupation.  You will also be able to learn about recent releases from the Department of Health and learn about their programs.  You will value this website as a great resource for health information and CNA news for anyone who wishes to hire a nurse aide.

Filed Under: Nurse Aide Registry Tagged With: registry, texas, tx

Passive Range of Motion Exercises

It is important to help exercise a patient’s passive range of motion especially when they do not spend a lot of time outdoors or getting physically active.  These motions serve to provide a sort of physical exercise for the patient and they help keep their blood circulation to function properly as well as prevent any infection which may be caused by being sedentary or confined to the bed for extended periods of time. Through these checks as well, you will be able to assess just how slow or fast the patient is recovering from their illness.

The first thing that you have to do when you are about to administer these checks on a patient is to knock on the patient’s door and greet them by their name.  Introduce yourself to the patient and explain to them why you are there at that time. It is important that you do not try to invade the patient’s privacy by entering the room without their permission or without calling out their name first.  It can cause some degree of anxiety to the patient especially if they are not familiar with you.

passive-range-of-motion-exercises-by-nurse-022Next, you have to place the patient on a position which will make them easily accessible to you and this can be accomplished in a variety of forms: the high-Fowler position, the supine position, and the semi-Fowler position.  Whichever of these positions are comfortable to your patient should be the one adapted.

After getting them into their desired position, start checking the patient’s range of motion starting with the head.  Ask them to move their head from left to right and up and down.  You should take note however whether your patient is suffering from a head or spinal injury before asking them to do so.

Next, move to the patient’s arms. Ask them to extend and contract their arms moving forward and bending them at the elbow joints.  Let them do this for a couple of times and then proceed to having them to bring their arms towards their body and to do this in a way that their arms would be crossed in front of them.

After this, tell them to move their wrists and fingers and to flex and move them in the most convenient manner.  Then, ask them to move their knees and extend them and then bring them back again near to their body.  Ask them to do this for at least ten times before proceeding.

The last thing to check on a patient’s passive range of motion is their feet and ankle movement.  Ask them to move and twist their ankles and toes in a way that is most convenient to them going left and right to make sure that they maintain a healthy range of motion.  This check usually should be done about two to three times daily and can be incorporated with other CNA tasks such as dressing.  You need to make sure that you do this regularly to avoid letting the patient have stiff joints and muscles.

You can visit this page to learn more about providing ROM exercises to the hip, leg, and ankle, or visit this page to learn more about providing ROM for one shoulder.

 

Filed Under: CNA Skills Tagged With: exercises, range of motion, rom

Providing Mouth Care for a Patient

One of the most important aspects of caring for a nursing home resident is providing oral or mouth care for a patient.  This is a necessity as most infections and diseases can start by having a dirty mouth or having leftover bits and pieces of food stuck in the gums or in between teeth.  Providing this type of care can be done even in unconscious patients as well to help keep them in the best health condition as well as to make sure that they feel well taken care of.  This is a very sensitive process especially if the patient has already developed some sores or pus in the mouth.

The first step to providing oral care for a patient is to knock on their door and introduce yourself to the patient courteously.  Address them by name and let them know why you are there and try to explain to them the step-by-step process which will be involved.  Prepare all the materials that will be needed for the process and then proceed to wash your hands thoroughly and put the appropriate personal protective equipment that you will need.  Allow the patient to participate in the process as much as they can to promote their independence.

oral-health-care-with-toothbrushAfter this, raise the level of the patient’s head up to a 30-degree angle to make it more comfortable for you and for them to get the cleaning process done.  Do not try to raise the head of the patient at a greater angle as this may cause them some discomfort.

Next, turn the patient’s head towards your direction and then ask them to open their mouth.  With a toothbrush with a small amount of toothpaste, begin to brush the patient’s teeth, gums, and tongue.  Make sure that you cover all of the areas of the mouth in order to ensure a thorough cleaning.

Do not use an excessive amount of toothpaste as this may cause the patient to swallow some of it and cause further health problems.  Just a pea sized amount would do.

Next, give the patient with a glass of water to rinse the toothpaste out of their mouth and have a basin ready where they can spit it out.  If the patient is unconscious, have a suction equipment ready and then proceed to rinse the mouth of the patient while applying the suction hose to prevent them from swallowing the toothpaste.

When you have finished rinsing the patient’s mouth, get a clean piece of towel and dry their mouth.  If the patient can do this by himself, then let them do so.  It will help develop his sense of independence and may contribute to a speedy recovery.

Put the patient in their original position, i.e. lower the bed, and then ask them if they need anything else or if they are feeling comfortable.  Put their call lights within their reach and proceed to disposing the things that are non-reusable and put soiled linens in the hamper.  Put back the materials to their original placements as well.

Filed Under: CNA Skills Tagged With: mouth, oral

Transfer Patient from Bed to Wheelchair

It is important for a CNA to learn how to transfer a patient from the bed to a wheelchair as this is one of the trickiest tasks for a health care worker.  It requires a lot of balance and strength from a nursing assistant that they must be able to provide perfectly and comfortably for the patient in order to achieve the best results.  Attention to detail and the safety of the patient are of utmost importance about this task.  The patient must also be given a chance for their own preferences where applicable and must be provided with a comfortable transfer to the best of the abilities of the CNA.

The first step is to knock on the patient’s door and to call their name.  The worker must introduce himself or herself to the patient after coming in and should explain to the patient why they are wheelchair-in-health-care-centerthere as well. They must provide the patient with the step-by-step process of how the procedure will be carried out before, during, and after the procedure is done.  This will help the patient to become more relaxed and cooperative throughout the process.

Next, the CNA then washes his or her hands thoroughly and puts on their personal protective equipment to help prevent the spread of disease and infection.

Place the wheelchair alongside the bed near to where the resident will be sitting, then lock the wheels into place.  Fold the footrests of the wheelchair so it does not stand in the way when the resident is being transferred.

Then, assist the patient to get to a sitting position without having to pull their arms or hands.  Let them take some time to orient their body in this new position as some patients may experience nausea or discomfort afterwards.

Place a pair of non-slip footwear on the patient’s feet and put their feet flat on the floor.

Apply the transfer or gait belt on the resident properly.  It should have a gap where you can easily slip your flat hand between the gait belt and the resident, and it must not also come into contact with the patient’s skin for a safer and more comfortable transfer.  Make sure that the belt does not catch any fold of the skin.

When the patient is comfortable, assist them in standing up by standing in front of the patient and reaching under the arms of the resident in order to grasp the gait belt at the back or at the sides.

Brace the resident’s legs and maintain your balance while pulling them up to assist them in standing, turn them towards the wheelchair, and lower them to a sitting position.  The wheelchair must be placed properly that you will not have to put it nearer to the back of the resident’s leg.

Place the resident on an appropriate position, with the hips against the back of the chair and with their feet on the footrests. Remove the gait belt from around the patient’s waist and ask them if they are comfortable. Remove personal protective equipment and proceed to wash your hands.

Watch the video on how to transfer a resident from a bed to a wheelchair using a gait belt:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CBIEmgt_rQ

Filed Under: CNA Skills Tagged With: transfer, wheelchair

Wearing Personal Protective Equipment

Wearing personal protective equipment or PPE is one of the most important duties that a CNA has.  This is to help prevent any chances of infection to spread from patient to CNA and vice versa.  There are different types of PPE but most CNAs usually make use of only one – the gloves.  But, usually, all of these PPEs are required to be worn in order to provide the best protection for the CNA as well as for the patient.  You will have to wear PPE whenever you will come into contact with bodily fluids as well as when coming into direct contact with infectious materials.

The first step to wearing personal protective equipment is to put the gown on first.  This is a type of gown which is made of a very thin fabric which is water resistant and is disposable in nature.  gown-an-gloves-ppeThey are made to be used only once and then to be thrown into the trash after use.

First, unfold the gown and then then wear it with the opening at your back.

Place your hands inside the sleeves and then proceed to close the gown at the neck area.  You can do this by tying it.  After this, you also have to tie the gown at the waist area.

The next thing that you will have to do is to wear the personal protective equipment for your face.  These include the goggles and the face mask.  You should be able to wear them without distracting you or making you uncomfortable in any way and they should also fit snugly not loosely.  The goggles should not distort your vision as well.  The mask must sit comfortably on your face and should sufficiently cover your nose and mouth.

The last thing that you will have to wear is the gloves.  You have to put it on very well and they should also sufficiently cover your wrists and should come over the sleeves.  This is to help protect you better from any type of contact with infectious materials and fluids.

Remember to put these PPEs on before entering the room of the patient and to remove them before getting out of their room. Removing these PPE correctly is also important and you should also follow the step by step process of removing them.

You will have to proceed in a reverse manner starting from the gloves which you have to ball up, and then proceed with the gown and lastly take off the PPE for your face such as the goggles and the face mask. You will have to dispose of these properly in order to prevent the spread of disease.

After removing these PPEs, wash your hands thoroughly and then dry them as usual.  You will need these PPEs but it should not reach the level where you will be unnecessarily occupied with your own protection that you neglect your patient’s needs and feelings.  There are some patients who will feel uneasy when they see you worried about getting contaminated with their ailments.

Watch the video on how to put on and remove PPE – gown and gloves:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBtfh7d0TAg

Filed Under: CNA Skills Tagged With: equipment, ppe

Provide Perineal Care to a Female

The process of providing perineal care to a female is a significant part of the day to day task of a CNA.  Perineal care is one of the most sensitive tasks that a health care worker can perform as it involves cleaning the private body parts of the patient as well as making sure that they are sufficiently cleaned in order to prevent any disease or infection from developing.  At times, it can be hard for a patient to allow a CNA to do this task especially if she does not know the person well. It is therefore important to assure the patient that you are doing it for health purposes and that you are providing them with sufficient privacy for their own sake.

First, the CNA has to greet the patient and introduce themselves as well as their purpose of being there in the patient’s room.  They have to be clear that they will be providing perineal care to the female patient and they should also inform the patient as to the step-by-step process with which it will be done.  The worker then gathers all the materials that will be needed for the process such as clean towels, a basin of water, soap, and lotion.  After this, the worker then proceeds to wash their hands thoroughly and to apply the appropriate personal protective equipment for the process.

shower-faucetAfter this, the CNA then proceeds to the bed of the patient and removes any dirty underpads from the patient.  Replace the waterproof underpads with fresh and clean ones in order to avoid getting the bed wet from the process.  The nurse aide then asks the patient to part their legs in order to gain access to the front perineal area more easily.  Part the folds of the labia and clean the inner sides using a clean piece of washcloth which has been dipped in warm water and applied with soap.

Clean the inner labia with a front to back motion using a gentle pressure.  Use a different spot from the washcloth for each stroke that will be done.  This is to ensure that the labia is well-cleaned and to prevent the transfer of bacteria from one point to another.  The front to back motion also ensures that bacteria from the anal area would not be transferred to the urethra of the patient which can cause some serious infection.

The next step is to rinse the area with a new piece of washcloth which has been dipped in warm water. Use a different area in the washcloth for each rinsing stroke as well.  When this is finished, pat the perineal area dry with a clean piece of towel and apply some lotion if the patient wishes to or if it is required.

Make sure that you have provided sufficient covering for the patient during the whole process to protect her privacy.  Dispose of any non-reusable items in the proper container and put dirty linens in the hamper.  Put the patient in a comfortable position and make sure that their call lights are within their reach.  Wash your hands thoroughly.

Filed Under: CNA Skills Tagged With: bathing, perineal

How to Measure and Record Respiration

A CNA will be performing various skills when caring for residents or patients such as measure and record a resident’s respiration.  This task is an important part of healthcare as it helps track the patient’s current health condition and also measure their progress.  A nurse aide is an important part of a nursing facility as they provide some of the direct healthcare services that are administered to patients.  If you are one of these healthcare services workers, it is important to follow the right steps in administering this task in order to provide the best services.

This process involves measuring the number of breaths that a resident or patient takes for one full minute.  It is done separately from the recording a patient’s pulse rate and this allows the CNA to inform the patient to tell him or her that it is the patient’s pulse which is being taken. This is to avoid the possibility that the patient would be altering or changing his breathing patterns to gain a worse or better respiration count.  You have to prepare the Measurement Form and have it with you before taking the respiration count.

stop-watch-for-health-care

The first step is to greet the patient and to introduce yourself when you enter their room.  Make sure to address them by their first name and not by any nickname that you may have known or invented for them.

Explain to the resident why you are there as well as the steps that will be taken for procedure.  Remember that you have to tell the patient that you will be taking their pulse and not their respiration rate in order to prevent them from manipulating their breathing patterns.  Measure the patient’s rate of respiration without telling them how to breathe and giving them any insinuation that you will be counting their respiration.

Measure their respiration for one full minute and then record the patient’s respiration rate on the Measurement Form.  This should be indicated in a scale of + or -2 respirations based on a nurse’s measurement.

Make sure that you take the resident’s needs and preferences during the whole procedure.  Ask them if they are feeling comfortable with how they are positioned and that they are on a safe position on the bed or chair that they are in.  This should be done before and during the whole time when you are taking the patient’s respiration rate.

Make sure that you have taken all the necessary steps for standard precaution procedures as well infection control when you are measuring the patient’s respiration.  This is to help preserve the health of the infection and prevent the spread of communicable disease.  Ask the patient about his comfort and his preferences or needs during the procedure.  Make sure that you have also conserved the patient’s rights to privacy as well as to independence by taking their preferences into consideration.  Preserve the patient’s safety by placing them in a secure position in the bed or chair while you are administering respiration count.

Filed Under: CNA Skills Tagged With: breath, breathing, respiration

Provide Catheter Care to a Female

In order to provide catheter care to a female resident, it is important to follow several steps which will help you to perform the process more safely and more efficiently.  This process should be done regularly to prevent any chances of infection to develop as well as to maintain the cleanness of the part of the body which is directly affected.

Cleaning the front perineal area is what these steps are concerned about and not about the rear or back perineal area.  Soap and water will suffice as cleaning materials for this process.

using-sink-for-healthcare-procedureThe first step is to introduce yourself to the patient and to explain to them why you are there. Try to give them a mental picture of the step-by-step process which will be performed and try to inform them of the materials that will be used.

After that, proceed to wash your hands and then put on your gloves as protective equipment especially since the process involves getting into contact with body fluids and soiled underpads.  Make sure that you have the materials that you will need for the process within your reach so you can perform the job will lesser distraction.

The next step is to place a new set of underpads under the patient’s thighs or buttocks in order to prevent soiling the bed.  Make sure that you have properly placed the underpads in order to catch any drip of water which may result from the cleaning process.

The next step is to rinse the whole area to be cleaned with warm water in the most comfortable temperature to the patient.  After this, apply some soap to a wet washcloth, dipped in the warm rising water, to give it some lather.  Use this washcloth to clean the inner labia of the patient.

Clean the inner labia by changing the spots in the washcloth used for cleaning.  Make gentle strokes in cleaning the labia with a front to back movement. This is to prevent any chances of spreading bacteria and infection towards the labia.  Make uniform movements in cleaning and try to clean the area as thoroughly as possible.

Try to apply the right amount of pressure in order to prevent any pain or of injuring the patient.  Use a different spot in the washcloth for every cleaning stroke. After this, clean the catheter up to about 3 to 4 inches downwards.

When this is done, start rinsing the soapy areas by using another piece of clean and wet washcloth.  Use the same type of strokes that were used for the cleaning, changing the places used in the washcloth for each rinsing stroke.  Make sure that you are rinsing the area inside the labia thoroughly and removing any soapy residue.  Do the same with the catheter and remove any obstruction or kinks away from the catheter.

Dry the area thoroughly with a clean towel.  When doing catheter care to a female resident, make sure that the tubing and the urinary bag are kept away from the floor and in a level which is lower than the bladder. Dispose all non-reusable materials to their proper containers. Wash hands thoroughly.

Watch the video on how to perform catheter care on a female patient:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWYFM8TG2Ds

Filed Under: CNA Skills Tagged With: catheter, perineal

How to Measure and Record Radial Pulse

A certified nursing assistant provides different types of personal care to residents and patients such as measure and record radial pulse.  This particular task is important in order to keep track of the patient’s health progress.  Nursing assistants are often delegated with these minor tasks as they have already earned these skills during the CNA training program.  They have undergone both a theoretical class as well as sufficient clinical experience during the program to administer such services.  If you are a CNA who will be doing these skills, there are certain points that you should remember either when you are doing it for the certification exam or in your work.

check-pulse-using-wrist-watch-8877It is important to remember that when you are performing this particular skill, you should incorporate both the direct and the indirect skills that have been taught during the training.  There are some who tend to forget about the indirect skills and focus more on the actual taking of the radial pulse.  You should take care to incorporate indirect skills during the process if you want to pass the exam or if you want to retain your job.  Respecting the privacy, independence, and the safety of your patient are all as important as the direct skill themselves.

Radial pulse is found on the wrist of the patient and should be taken for one whole minute.  You will need to have the Measurement Form ready before you take the pulse.  As you enter the room of the resident, greet them by name and introduce yourself.

Explain to the resident what procedure you will be doing before and during the taking of the pulse. When taking the pulse, you should do all that you can to position and support the arm of the patient that it does not dangle in any way while you are taking their pulse.  Do use your thumb when taking the pulse as it may confuse you as to which pulse you are taking, either yours or the patient’s.

By placing your fingers on the patient’s wrist, measure their radial pulse for a full minute.  Write down your findings on the Measurement Form on a scale of + or – 4 beats a minute on a nurse’s measurement.  Make sure that you have used all standard precautions and methods of infection control while administering this type of care to the patient.  Ask the resident also if they are feeling comfortable and any other needs that they may have with regards to the procedure while you are taking their pulse.

While doing this procedure, make sure that you have promoted the resident’s rights such as their privacy and independence by making sure that you take their needs and requests into consideration.  Protect the resident also by ensuring that they are in a safe position during the administration of the care.  Taking a radial pulse is one of the various skills that are needed from a certified nursing assistant.  You must therefore make sure that you can perform this job effectively.

Filed Under: CNA Skills Tagged With: heart rate, pulse, radial

Range of Motion Exercises to One Shoulder

When a resident cannot perform shoulder exercises on their own, a CNA will be asked to provide passive range of motion exercises to one shoulder. This is to make the resident’s shoulder in a healthy condition and to stimulate blood flow in that area. This will also help to maintain the muscle tone of the arms and to preserve their flexibility as well. If you are being asked to perform this skill, make sure that you pay attention to indirect care skills as well. They are an important part of the whole exercise and it may determine just how successful the whole process will be in the end.

The first thing is to knock on the patient’s door and to call out the name of the patient. This is to ensure that you are in the right room and that the patient will not be surprised with your presence in the room. The next thing is to greet the patient and introduce yourself to the patient. Explain why you are there and provide a step-by-step description of how the procedure will be conducted and what is the purpose of the exercise. Make sure that the patient understands you correctly and that they have heard what you are saying clearly.

shoulder-range-of-motionAfter this, wash your hands thoroughly and put on your personal protective equipment. This is to avoid the spread of infection and to protect the patient as well.

After this, proceed to support the arm of the patient where the passive motion exercise is to be done. Raise and lower the arms of the patient towards the side first and ask if they are experiencing any pain or discomfort while doing it.

Repeat this process as necessary. Make sure that you are providing the patient with sufficient instruction or are informing them as to what shall be done to their arm.

The next step is to extend their arms toward the head of the bed and then towards the back to give them some flexion and extension exercises in the arm. Do not apply a lot of force and never overextend the arms to the patient’s capacity. Do the process in a slow and smooth movement to prevent injuring the patient. The next step is to take the arms of the patient away from the side and then back in order to provide abduction and abduction exercises to the arms.

After the whole process is done, return the patient to a comfortable position and give their call lights within their reach. The next step is to remove your personal protective equipment and to wash your hands thoroughly.

The CNA should provide this care in a slow and non-forceful manner in order to prevent any injury or damage to the arm of the patient that is being exercised. It is important to provide passive range of motion exercises to one shoulder in order to provide the patient with the necessary movements to help keep their arms in a healthy condition and a normal blood flow.

 

Filed Under: CNA Skills Tagged With: range of motion, rom

Measure the Weight of an Ambulatory Patient

It is an important task of a CNA to measure the weight and height of an ambulatory patient as these measurements often indicates some serious health-related issues about the patient.  If a patient cannot be raised or cannot stand up due to some physical condition, the health care worker will have to measure it while the patient is lying down with the help of a fellow nurse aide.  The materials that will be used are a bath blanket and a bed scale in order to get to know the patient’s weight and height.  It is important that the CNA conduct this skill with sufficient care and provide the patient with the privacy that they need.

The first step is to knock on the patient’s door and to call out their name.  This is to let the patient know about your presence and to make sure that you are with the right patient as well.  After that, greet them in a polite manner and introduce yourself and your fellow worker.  Explain to the patient why you are there and try to give them the step by step process that will be done to the patient to make them less anxious and to make them more cooperative.

hospital-weight-scaleYou and the other employee must both wash your hands first and use the appropriate personal protective equipment before handling the patient.  Then lower the bed if it is raised on one side until it is on a parallel position with the floor.

Raise the side rails in order to protect the patient from rolling off and then put them in a bath blanket by rolling them to one of their sides.

Mark the area where the patient’s head and feet end as this will serve as the measurement for the height of the patient.  Place the bed scale on the bed and with the help of your colleague place the patient in it.  Take note of the weight and record that on the appropriate form.

Remove the bed scale from the bed and then return the patient to a comfortable position. Proceed to measuring the patient’s height.  Measure the length or distance between the marks for the head and the foot and then write them down on the form.

After you are finished recording the measurements, remove your personal protective equipment and proceed to handwashing.  Before you leave the room make sure that the patient is comfortable or that you have addressed any of their needs.  Place their call lights within their reach as well.

Measuring a patient’s height and weight can be done much easier if you know the steps on how to do it well. Remember that you will need the help of another CNA and they also have to practice proper safety precautions and infection control when handling the patient.  As much as possible explain to the patient what is being conducted at the moment in order to remove their apprehensiveness.  Always be polite and respectful to the patient while conducting the whole process.

Filed Under: CNA Skills Tagged With: height, weight

Assist with a Bedpan

Patients who are not able to ambulate themselves often need a nurse aides help in assisting with the use of a bedpan.  Their incapacity can be great enough to render it impossible for them to walk and use the toilet normally so it would need the help of a nursing assistant for them to do that.  It is however, not encouraged in other cases where the patient has the capacity to go to the toilet even when they need minimal assistance in walking towards it.  It requires a lot of careful attention to perform this job and so paying heed not just to your job but to your patient as well will be very important.

bedpan-for-resident-09002As with other tasks, you will need to greet and introduce yourself to the resident after you entered the room.  Make sure that you explain your task very well to the patient so that he would not be surprised when you start with the bedpan.  Tell them exactly what you will be doing in each single step of the procedure and then ask them if you can pull the curtains down in order to provide them with some privacy.  You always have to ask for their permission before doing anything in their room.

After this, wash your hands according to standard procedure making sure that you do not touch the sink or any other unclean area after drying them off. You can now put on a fresh pair of gloves in order to assist the patient.

Lower the resident’s bed so you can perform your duty better.  Then, place or assist the patient to get into a supine position and then get him to lie on one of his sides.

Place the bedpan against the patient’s rear and then tell them to get on a lying position again.  Make sure that the bedpan would be between the patient’s legs and ask them to spread them apart in order to know if it is really in the middle. This will make it easier for them to use the bedpan and avoid any spillage.  Raise the upper part of the bed, the one where their head is resting, so they can manage the process more easily.  Step away from the patient to give them room for his privacy and make them feel more at ease.

After this, remove your gloves and dispose of them accordingly.  Wash your hands again and put on a new set of gloves. Go back to the patient and lower the bed so you can easily reach the bedpan.  Do this carefully so as to avoid spillage of the contents of the bedpan.

Ask the patient to turn to one side once again and then carefully remove the bedpan. Wash the patient’s genital area as well as the perineal area. Get them in a position where they will be most comfortable and give them some wet towel if they want to clean their hands. Measure and dispose the contents of the bedpan and clean it thoroughly also.   Dispose your gloves and wash your hands again.

Filed Under: CNA Skills Tagged With: bedpan, toilet, toileting

Assisting with Dressing a Dependent Patient

Assisting with dressing a dependent patient can be done easily when you know how to do the step by step process thoroughly.  If you are unfamiliar with these steps, chances are you will be doing it the wrong way which can either harm your resident or fail you in your CNA certification exam.  Make sure that you have studied these steps well in order to provide the best possible CNA service that you can give to your patients.  After applying these steps for a couple of times, you will surely be able to handle this task very easily.

The first step is to greet your patient and introduce yourself after knocking on their door.  This is to ensure that you are not violating their rights to privacy and that you are respecting their need for personal space.  After this, explain to your patient what you will be doing, which is to assist them with dressing themselves, and then try to describe what the process would take.  Wash your hands thoroughly before handling the patient and wear protective gloves. This is to make sure that you do not contaminate the patient with bacteria that you may be carrying from the outside.

assisting-patient-00232344234The next step is to tell your patient that you will be undressing them first on their weak side.  Depending therefore in which side the patient’s weaker part is, you will start to undress them first.  Do not try to do all of the undressing by you and get the patient to participate as much as they can on the whole process.  Ask them also if they want to undress by themselves or if they want sufficient privacy while they do so.  You should try to maintain as much space as can be comfortable for the patient.  Encourage them to take initiative on their own and to exercise themselves in the care of themselves.

The new set of clothes should already be close by when you start to undress the patient.  After the patient is fully undressed try to dress them starting from the stronger side of his body first.  This is the complete reverse of undressing them starting from the weaker side.  For example if his weaker side is in the left side, then you should start dressing the patient from their right.  It is also important to encourage the patient to exert as much effort as they can when dressing in order to develop his personal independence.

You will have to notice any sign of fatigue in the patient during the whole process.  Try to make them sit once they start to get tired or experience difficulty with the dressing process.

After dressing, you also have to place the patients dirty clothes in the hamper and then remove your gloves and wash your hands thoroughly.  Make sure that their call light is within his reach and everything that they may need is easily accessible to them.  Explain that you are going and that the procedure is finished before you leave.

Filed Under: CNA Skills Tagged With: dressing, stroke

Cleaning Upper and Lower Dentures

Maintaining your patient’s health involves cleaning lower and upper dentures of patients and residents.  It is important to maintain a good mouth care for residents who cannot clean their own dentures.  It has to be done regularly and with the best care taken as can be possible in order to prevent any type of infection to develop on the patient’s mouth.  Make sure that you make use of the most hygienic procedure possible in order to keep their oral health in good condition and also to make sure that they can enjoy their food every time they eat.

The first thing that one has to do in cleaning upper and lower dentures is of course to greet the patient and introduce yourself first.  This is to eliminate any type of apprehension from the patient.  You also need to explain why you are there and what the possible step-by-step procedures will be for the whole process.  Wash your hands thoroughly and ask your patient to give you their dentures or you can try to remove them if they are having difficulty removing them from their mouth.  You can do this by gently manipulating the dentures up and down until they become loose.

denture-cleaning-care-0222The next step is to bring the two pieces of dentures to the cleaning area or the sink and then line the bottom of the sink with a washcloth.  Try to get a warm temperature of water by mixing the hot and cold waters and then try to fill the sink partly with the warm water.  After that, clean the dentures using a regular toothbrush and denture cleaning substances.  Remove as much dirt as you can from the dentures and try to contact all of the surfaces in the denture.  The most important parts to clean are those which come in direct contact with the gums as any leftover bacteria or food can cause infection.

Next, rinse the dentures thoroughly under tap water and try to remove as much of the cleaning material as possible.  After that, put the dentures into a denture cup that contains cold clean water.  This is to help eliminate any chances of contamination.  Help the resident get his mouth cleaned before inserting the dentures again.  Try to look for signs of infection or swelling and report to your supervising nurse if there are any.  Do not try to fit the dentures when these are present in the gums.

When you have finished with the task, you should remove your gloves and wash your hands thoroughly.  Check if your patient is in the most convenient position before you leave them and that their call lights and everything that they need is within their reach.  Cleaning your patient’s dentures is an important task that a CNA should do daily in order to maintain the oral health of the resident.  Make sure that you have also respected their rights to privacy and independence during the whole process asking them about their preferences and taking note that they are comfortable.

Watch the video on how to clean upper and lower dentures:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkYX3qMpcwU

Part 2 of the cleaning dentures CNA skill:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5dUu2sAJMU

Filed Under: CNA Skills Tagged With: dentures, oral care

Providing Nail Care for a Patient

Providing nail care for a patient is an important task of a CNA in order to help prevent the spread of disease and infection which can come from having dirty nails and hands.  As most health care provider knows, the hands are one of the areas of the body which is more exposed to dirt and bacteria and which can be the easiest ways to spread it. By providing the appropriate nail care, the patient is thus kept in better health and it also helps to encourage them to take care of themselves for a faster recovery period.

The first step is to knock and greet the patient by their name and tell them that you are there to provide nail care for them.  You should introduce yourself as well to the patient.  After this, proceed to collect all the things that you will need for the nail care such as towels, washcloths, a basin of warm water, lotion, orange wood stick for cleaning under the nails, nail cutters, and nail file.

After this, proceed to wash your hands thoroughly and after drying them well, put a fresh pair of gloves on.

hands-nail-careThe next step is to let the patient soak their fingers in warm water making sure that they are in a comfortable temperature for the patient.  Let them do this for a couple of minutes to loosen up the dirt which may be on the nails.

After this, proceed to clean the hands of the patient on both the top and bottom part using a clean piece of wet soapy washcloth.  Clean the areas between the fingers as well making sure that they are all thoroughly cleaned.

Next, clean the areas under the nails of the patient using an orangewood stick.  Try to clean each and every nail and wipe any dirt which may have stuck to the stick on a clean cloth.

After the process is done, rinse the hands of the patient by letting them dip their hands into the basin full of warm water.  Rub the hands well in order to remove any soap.

Next, remove the patient’s hand from the basin and towel-dry them.  Proceed to cut their nails making sure that they are all evenly cut with no crooked or sharp edges that may cut the skin.  After this, use a nail file on the cut edges to ensure a smooth ended nail.

Apply a sufficient amount of lotion of the hands of the patient to prevent dryness and to moisturize the nails too.  Make sure that you have provided ample support for the hands of the patient throughout the process and that you have asked their personal preferences when it comes to nail care.

Make sure that they are in the most comfortable position and that their call lights are within their reach right before you leave the patient.  Remove your gloves and proceed to wash your hands thoroughly.  Dispose of any non-reusable item and put dirty linens and towels on the hamper before you leave.

Filed Under: CNA Skills Tagged With: hands, nails

Range of Motion Exercises for Knee and Ankle

It is important for a CNA to learn how to provide passive range of motion exercises to hip, knee, and ankle as it is a very common care which is provided for non-ambulatory patients.  This exercise is important in that it helps to maintain a proper blood circulation in this area and in order to exercise the muscles as well.  This skill should be done with utmost care and attention in order to prevent damaging or injuring the patient.  It will also help if the CNA would be mindful about indirect skills while providing this care to the patient.

The first step is to knock on the patient’s door and to call out their name.  This will help the patient to learn about your presence and will prevent any apprehension or surprise when they see you in the room.  Greet them and then introduce yourself properly and explain to them why you are there.  Inform them about the purpose of the exercise and tell them about the step-by-step process with which it shall be accomplished.  This will help the patient to become more relaxed during the process and to make them cooperative as well.  Make sure that you provide the patient with sufficient privacy and that you ask for their preferences during the whole procedure.

patients-legsm,The next step is to wash your hands and wear personal protective equipment.  This will help to prevent the spread of infection or disease to your patient.  Then, with the patient in a lying position, raise the patient’s knee toward their torso and then back to the mattress.  This will provide a flexion and extension exercise to the patient’s hips and knees will help maintain flexibility and blood circulation.

Ask the patient if they are experiencing any pain or discomfort and ask them how they wish this process to be done. Do this exercise in a slow and smooth motion in order to prevent any damage or injury to the patient.

Next, raise the resident’s foot upwards towards the head and then replace them towards the mattress in a slow and non-forceful manner.  Do not force the foot of the patient to a much higher height than they can endure as it may cause some injuries.  Provide sufficient covering on the mattress to prevent their feet from having too much friction with the mattress.  Ask the patient if they are feeling any pain or discomfort during the process.

After the procedure, return the patient to a comfortable position and raise the side rails to keep them from falling. Give them their call lights and ask them if they are in need of anything. Remove your personal protective equipment and wash your hands thoroughly and put the non-reusable items in their proper container.

When doing this procedure, make sure that you support the patient’s extremities well in order to prevent further injury.  You should also provide them with sufficient privacy and promote resident’s rights especially as to their own preferences to make the procedure more comfortable. Visit this page to read more about providing ROM exercises for the shoulder.

Filed Under: CNA Skills Tagged With: range of motion, rom

Empty Drainage Bag and Measure Urinary Output

To empty resident’s urinary drainage bag and measure and record output, there are several steps that should be followed.  It is important to keep to these instructions as they are what is required in order to pass a nursing assistant certification exam and they are also the best way to provide this type of care to a patient.  Not only will missing one or more activities lessen your chances of obtaining a CNA certification, it may also lead to complaints being filed against you if the resident is not satisfied with your work.

To help you recall the steps and procedure needed in this particular set of activity, there are some candidate handbooks which are given by testing centers to nurse aide candidates right before taking the exam.  They include concise instructions which will help you remember the important points that should be done when performing this activity.  It is also good to research about them through the internet or through the CNA pages of the Department of Health of your state.  They will provide you with the necessary information that you need as well as provide you with tips on how to pass the exam successfully.

urinary-drainage-bag-02232To perform this activity, do the following steps.  First, you have to greet the resident by his or her name and then introduce yourself and your purpose of coming to their room.  Try to inform the resident about the necessary steps that will be taken in order to empty their urinary drainage bag as well as measure and record their output.  After that, you should proceed to wash your hands thoroughly and then put on a fresh set of gloves. The gloves are important when handling the urinary drainage bag, graduate, and bedpan for infection control.

After that, set the graduate or bedpan on a barrier on the floor and then proceed to empty the contents of the urinary drainage bag on the graduate or bed pan.  Do not allow the drainage bag to become contaminated by allowing any part of it to touch the transfer containers.  Next, close the drain again by clamping it and replacing it on their designated pocket.  To read the right amount of content, place the graduate on an eye-level area with a flat surface that has a barrier.  Complete the process by emptying the contents of the graduate on the toilet.

Rinse and dry the container pouring all the rinsing water to the toilet after each rinse.  After that, remove your gloves and wash your hands.  Record the measurement of the output on the I&O form in term of + or – 50 ccs. Leave the drainage bag on hanging on the bed frame, the drainage and the tubing not having any contact with the floor but in a position lower than the bladder of the patient during and after the care.

Replace the equipment on their proper storage places, disposing of garbage and putting soiled linen on the hamper.  Make sure that you have applied indirect care during the process such as infection control, standard precautions, taking the resident’s comfort, needs, and privacy, as well as promote resident rights and safety.

Filed Under: CNA Skills Tagged With: drainage bag, urinary output, urine

Giving Partial Bath to Patient

Giving a partial bath to a patient is an important aspect of CNA care.  Maintaining your patient’s cleanliness is one of the first steps to his recovery and you can also encourage him to do his best to get well by providing this care especially if he is not able to do it on his own.  It may not be done on a daily basis as it varies from case to case, but the clean feeling that it leaves your patient will definitely help him to recover faster and to care more about his health.  This bath is recommended for patients who have difficulty going from their bed to the bathroom.

The first step is to wash your hands thoroughly using the standard handwashing technique for health care providers.  After that, greet your patient and tell him why you are there and explain to him the steps that will be taken during the process.  This will help him to relax and be more cooperative during the process.  After that, start filling a basin with warm water which will be used for the bathing.  Check the temperature by dipping your inner wrist in the water and the ideal temperature is from 105 to 115 degrees.

soapy-wash-bucket-for-bed-bathThe next step is to prepare the room to provide the patient with sufficient privacy.  Pull the curtains down on his windows or close the doors to avoid any untoward incidents.  You should also clean the area by removing any unneeded equipment from the bed.  After that, ask them to remove their clothes if they are capable or help them out with the process if they cannot.  Give them enough independence in this task to their level of ability in order to develop their confidence and independence.

Proceed with the bath by cleaning his face with a clean washcloth dipped in the warm basin water. After that, wash his arms, chest, back, belly, legs, and lastly the perineal area.  It is recommended that for each of the enumerated body parts, a different washcloth should be used in order to prevent the spread of bacteria and infection.  You should also change any wet linen as this could cause infection to spread.  After bathing, apply some lotion to the parts where the patient wants them to be applied.  This will help him to feel relieved and more refreshed especially if they have any dry parts in the body.

Help your patient to dress up after the procedure either lying down or on a sitting position.  Allow the patient to do as much as they can when dressing to promote their independence.  Dispose of the non-reusable items which were used during the bathing procedure to their proper receptacle and proceed to washing your hands.  This is to prevent the spread of any contagious disease or infection.  It is important to follow these steps carefully in order to pass a certification exam as well as to provide the best health care services for a patient when you are working as a CNA.

A related CNA skill you may need to know is how to give a shower to a seated patient.

Watch the video on how to give a shower to a patient:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf-LG5d7_AY

Filed Under: CNA Skills Tagged With: bath, bedbath

Dress a Resident with a Weak Arm

The steps required in CNAs to dress a resident with a weak arm include the basic direct and indirect care skills that you will learn in a CNA class.  It is important to take note, that it is not only the direct process of dressing the patient which will be assessed by the evaluator during the skills part of the exam, the indirect care skills would also possess a significant weight in your test scores.  You should therefore take all the care and effort to try to perform and include all the required skills that the evaluator will require.

The steps for dressing a resident with a weak arm is as follows.  Make sure to provide the appropriate indirect skill to the given situation.  The first is to greet the resident by his or her name, and then introduce yourself and what is the purpose of your presence in their room.  Tell them that you are there to assist them in their dressing.  After that, inform the patient about the steps that will be done for dressing them right before and during the activity.  Ask them about their personal preference as to the type, color, and shape of clothing that they want.  This is one of the rights of a resident and you should be careful to include them.  Try to collect these pieces of clothing right before you undress the resident.

woman-in-hospital-reading-0333Next, you have to make sure that you are providing sufficient support for the weak arm of the resident while you are undressing and afterwards, dressing them.  You should dress the weak arm first taking care that you perform all the necessary steps to lessen the amount of stress that you will put in it while dressing.  Make sure that you have gathered up the sleeve of the clothing before trying to put their arm in it. Afterwards, you can proceed with the other pieces of clothing such as the pants and the socks.  Do not try to overextend the legs and arms of the resident.

Try to put the clothes in as appropriate a manner as possible meaning perform the necessary adjustments so the clothes fit comfortably on the body of the resident such as adjusting the sleeves and aligning them correctly.  Try to make it look as neat as possible and close the areas that need to be closed.  After this, put the dirty clothing in a hamper and wash your hands.

It is important to take note that you have given the patient with the proper method of care and dressing.  Try to keep them on a safe position on the bed where the distance will not let them roll over. Try to incorporate as much of the resident’s preferences as possible and use the necessary precautions for infection control and standard precautions.

Ensure that the patient is feeling comfortable with how you are dressing them and what other needs they may require while dressing them.  You should also be careful to protect the patient’s rights to privacy as well as to safety during the activity.

Filed Under: CNA Skills Tagged With: arm, dress, dressing, weak

Position a Patient on their Side

It can be quite important to position a patient on their side especially if it is to prevent health issues such as pooling of blood due to lying in bed for extended periods of time.  This skill will come very handy also if the patient that you will be caring for is an invalid and does not have the capacity to move his body around by himself.  Positioning a patient on their side is also important if you want to avoid any infection from developing on his back part of the patient’s body.

The procedure is quite easy and you will be able to do this even without the help of another nursing assistant.  The first thing that you have to do is of course, to greet and introduce yourself to the patient. Explain to the patient why you are there and tell him the step by step process.  This will make it easier for the patient to understand what is being done to him and will help him feel at ease.  After this, you must proceed to washing your hands and then put on a clean set of gloves.

hospital-bed-97765Elevate the bed so you can move the patient on a side lying position much easier.  Raise the handrails on the side of the bed so as to ensure your patient’s safety.  Make sure that you are telling the resident all the while what you will be doing next so that he will not be taken by surprise when you move his body suddenly.

Next, grab the edge of the draw sheet near you and then pull it towards you.  Do this as to have the patient on the side of the bed where he will have his back turned to.  This is important so that when you move the patient to lie on his side, he will still be at the center of the bed.

After this, ask the patient to grab the handrail on the side of the bed which he is facing and to slowly roll on his side.  Do this only if the patient is physically capable of doing so.  If he cannot do this procedure all by himself, then raise the draw sheet slowly in order to turn his body to a side position.

Do this slowly also so the patient will not fall to the other side of the bed. Place a pillow on his backside under the sheets as well as on the area below his bottoms and also between his legs.  You can also place one under his free arm if he requests for it.

After doing this procedure, place the call light within the patient’s reach. Remove your gloves and dispose of them properly.  Wash your hands thoroughly and then politely ask your leave from the patient. As you can see, it is a pretty fast and easy task to do which can be done even if you are alone assisting a patient.  You only have to make sure that you do the steps properly in order to avoid injuring your patient.

Filed Under: CNA Skills Tagged With: positioning, side, side position

Making an Occupied Bed

Changing sheets in an occupied can be performed in a breeze if you know how to do it well.  It may seem an impossible task at first but if you know the right way of proceeding, you can have the sheets changed in no time even if there is somebody lying on top of it.  It is important to change sheets every now and then to prevent the accumulation of bacteria as well as other impurities on the bed.  This can be brought on by perspiration and the warmth of the patient’s body can help these to reproduce and grow if the sheets are not removed.

You will have to perform this task especially if the patient is bedridden and cannot afford to move around a lot anymore.  If you think that this is a problem, then don’t worry here are the steps into changing sheets in an occupied bed.

occupied-bed-09977First, you will have to greet and introduce yourself to the patient as you enter his or her room.  You will also have to explain what procedure you will be doing, which is to change his sheets.  Letting the patient know what will be done will help him relax rather than having him anticipate what you will be doing.  It will also provide an outlet for you to get a permission to do so.  After this, proceed to washing your hands properly in order to help prevent contagious diseases from spreading to your patient.  Wear a fresh pair of gloves before handling any of the patient’s things or bed sheets.

Next, you will have to lower the bed to a comfortable position where you can reach both sides easily.  Also make sure that your new sheets are within easy reach from where you are standing.  Raise the side rails of the bed to make sure that the patient will not fall out after you move him to one side of the bed.

Next, ask or assist the patient to lie down on his side and then pull the bed sheet towards the center to make sure that he will not roll over the sides accidentally.   After this, pull the ends of the sheet which are towards the back of the patient and begin to roll them towards the patient.  Roll them going inside and then tuck them near the back of the patient.

Place the ends of the new sheet at the edge of the bed making sure that there will be space enough for you to tuck the sheet under the bed.  Then, roll the remainder of the sheet towards the patient leaving the other half unrolled near the edge of the old sheet.  Have the patient lie down in a supine position and then ask him to roll towards the opposite side of his original position.  Then, roll the other side of the dirty sheet towards the edge of the bed and then place it in the appropriate container.  Unroll the clean sheet towards the end of the bed also and then tuck the edges underneath.  Put the patient in a supine position again and then place a blanket on him. Take off your gloves and dispose of them properly.

Watch this video on this CNA skill to learn how to change the sheets in an occupied bed:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWtvfeWY3qQ

Filed Under: CNA Skills Tagged With: bed, housekeeping, sheets

Hand Washing Techniques for Nursing Assistants

If you wish to become a CNA, one of the most important skills that you would need to learn is hand washing techniques for nursing assistants which can be said to be the most basic yet, the most significant skill that you should learn.  Hand washing is an important task that you need to do before performing all the other tasks that you will be required of you.  It is an important step in preventing the spread of disease and infection which can be one of the distinguishing factors between getting worse and getting well.

Hand washing not only removes the visible dirt that you can see on your hands, it also destroys and removes microbial infections that you may be carrying under your nails and other parts of your hands.  That said, it is therefore needful for you to do this very simple task before handling your patient or any of his or her things.  You will need to this before and after those tasks that you will do on your patient. Prevention of the spread of disease is one of the goals of a nursing assistant, and through this task, you will be doing this very significant aim a huge favor.

washing-hands-in-sink-0900To start washing your hands, you need first to remove all jewelries and accessories that you may have on your wrists or hands.  This is to be better able to remove all the dirt, both visible and invisible, which may be hiding on hard to reach areas as well as to prevent any of those which are in your accessories from contaminating the patient.  The sweat that accumulates on such accessories are good breeding grounds for some bacteria which may not be removed if you wash your hands wearing them.

Next, turn on the water on the tap and make sure that it will not be too hot or too cold for your skin.  Wet your hands up to your wrists and then use a sufficient amount of soap to give your hands a good lather.  The time allotted for this task is usually from 15 to 30 seconds depending on the rules of the state where you will be taking the test.  Rub your hands vigorously against each other for the duration of that period making sure that you apply significant time in each and every area of your hands such as the spaces between your fingers, the area around your nail cuticles, beneath your nails, and area which are immediately surrounding the wrists.

After this, with the water still turned on, start rinsing your hands under the water with your hands on a downward direction.  Allow the water to flow from your wrists to the tips of your fingers as this would prevent any bacteria from contaminating other parts of your hands.  Take a disposable or paper towel and dry your fingers starting from your fingers and ending in your wrist area.

Use the paper towel to turn the water off and then dispose of accordingly. Following these steps carefully will help you not just pass the certification test, but improve you and your patient’s health as well.

Video of the proper nurse aide hand washing technique:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaIVOX0Fy60

Filed Under: CNA Skills Tagged With: hand washing, handwashing, skills, washing

Measuring and Recording Blood Pressure

Measuring and recording blood pressure is very important as diseases and any health problems in a patient can be easily determined by fluctuations in their blood pressure.  It is therefore important for a CNA to learn this skill as maintaining a constant record of a patient’s blood pressure is one of their more important tasks.  Having an accurate and timely record will help the physician to determine the proper type of medication and treatment that the patient would need.  This is a more technical skill than other CNA tasks but it also entails a good glimpse into the physical condition of the patient.

The first step is to knock on the patient’s door and introduce yourself and explain to them why you have come to their room.  Be courteous in greeting the patient and also explain the step-by-step process of taking and recording blood pressure so they will know what will be done and which can also help them relax and cooperate with the process. Help the patient to get into a comfortable position either in a lying or sitting position whichever is more comfortable to the patient.  Make sure that the equipment that you will be using is also within your reach.

blood-pressure-monitorStart by washing your hands and cleaning your equipment.  Make sure that you also use the proper personal protective equipment for the procedure.  After this, make sure that your patient is in a very peaceful and comfortable surroundings by turning down the volume of the radio or by closing the door to eliminate the noise coming from outside the room.  Then, select the appropriate size of cuffs that you will be using on the patient.  Wrap it around the arm of the patient just above the elbow area.

Make sure that you have an easy access to the cuffs and the device that will release the air pressure from it.  Next, try to find the brachial artery in the arms which is located in the area where the elbow bends and then put the stethoscope’s bell over it.  Start pumping air into the cuffs by pressing the bulb of the device and then watch the dial until the needle points to the appropriate point.  It should be between 150 and 180 mmHg and then stop. After this start releasing the air from the cuffs slowly and watch the dial as well.

Listen carefully to the earpiece and watch where the needle is during the first pulse.  Take note of it and write it down on your form.  Continue listening for the pulse until you come to the last and record also the level to which the needle was pointed for that.  The first number is the systolic number while the last one is the diastolic.  Remove the cuffs from the patient carefully and then proceed to get them in a comfortable position.  Dispose of your gloves in the trash can and wash your hands thoroughly after use.  Clean the earpiece of the stethoscope well with the appropriate cleaning solution.

Watch the video on how to measure and record the blood pressure of a patient:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMY0khfMUZg

Filed Under: CNA Skills Tagged With: blood pressure, vital signs

Geriatric Nursing Assistant (Job Description & Skills Needed)

Nursing assistants are one of the professionals that play important roles in the field of health care. They implement various kinds of tasks under the supervision of registered nurses as well as other health care professionals. Elderly people, otherwise known as geriatric, are among the clients that often rely on assistance from nursing assistants. Individuals working for the elderly are referred to as geriatric nursing assistants.

It is the primary duty of the geriatric nursing assistant to provide the clients with routine daily nursing care as well as services. It is important that the services they render must be in accordance to Geriatric nursing assistant with elderly patientthe assessment or care plan which are directed according to the supervisors. It is essential that the nursing assistant must hold responsibility or accountability for the interventions that are being carried out for the clients.

The occupation of a geriatric nursing assistant has different working conditions that must be considered and include the following:

  • They work in a variety of nursing service area such as the resident rooms, drug rooms, or nurses’ stations.
  • They are expected to have intermittent movements when on duty or during working hours.
  • They are able to deal well with different types of individuals as they can be assigned to clients who are hostile or emotionally upset. Not only that they will deal with these types of clients but they will also be working with the personnel, visitors, or other members of the family.
  • It is a must that the geriatric nursing assistants have good communication skills especially when they are expected to have collaborative work with the other health personnel.
  • They must be willing to walk an extra mile even beyond normal working hours, holidays, or weekends.

The duties of a geriatric nursing assistant deal with the life and safety of their clients. It is vital that they perform different tasks carefully while making sure that the clients will still get high quality services. Among the different duties that geriatric nursing assistants perform include the following:

  • Dressing the clients
  • Bathing the patients
  • Feeding the residents and making sure that aspiration is prevented
  • Bedridden clients must be moved and re-positioned in order to prevent the formation of
    bed sores or pressure ulcers
  • Changing of the bed linens
  • Taking the vital signs which include the temperature, pulse rate, and blood pressure
  • Transporting the patients or providing assistance during mobility
  • Doing documentation or recording the care that has been provided to the clients

The geriatric nursing assistant salary can vary depending on the part of the country you live in and the amount of hours and overtime you work. However, a GNA can typically expect to earn around $11-$17 dollars an hour. This equals around $26,5oo a year not including any overtime work. The demand for nursing assistants are expected to grow through 2024 by 18%.

Visit this page to learn more about CNA skills needed for this medical profession.

Filed Under: CNA Careers

Medical Job List

The healthcare industry is one of the fastest growing branches of the economy in the past decade. A mission for a sustainable healthcare system is becoming mandatory in almost every country, including in the United States. In connection to this, a medical workforce line-up is necessary to meet the high demands in the healthcare settings. Hereby listed are the vital members of an effective medical force.

Nursing Assistant and Orderlies

Certified Nurse Aides, or CNA’s work under the general supervision of nursing staff and carry out basic health care tasks for their patients. Job duties of a nursing assistant include bathing, attractive-nurse-00200002grooming, feeding the patient and changing the lines. Orderlies are in charge of patients scheduled for transport to another department either via wheelchair or stretcher.

Click here for more details about CNA training in your area.

Audiologist

An audiologist concentrates in communication science and its disorders. One uses various instruments and methods to diagnose hearing difficulties and balance disorders. A treatment plan is also developed once a diagnosis is reached, and this plan takes into account the impact of disability to the patient.

Chiropractor

A chiropractor is a primary healthcare professional focusing on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, as well as the effect of these disorders on the functions of the nervous systems and overall health. This may include athletic injuries.

Dental Assistant

A dental assistant does work chair-side while the dentist examines and treats patients. He or she performs a variety of patient care, office and laboratory work. A dental assistant usually make patients comfortable as possible in the dental chair, prepare them for treatment, and make dental records of them.

Dental Hygienist

A dental hygienist help prevent dental decay by cleaning the teeth and providing patients education on effective care of their teeth and gums and the effect of diet on oral health.

Dentist

The dentist primarily inspects the dental and oral hygiene of patients, offering appropriate advices, or performing appropriate surgeries.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer and Cardiovascular Technologist

The Diagnostic Medical Sonographer and Cardiovascular Technologist have a lot in common, being in the same profession and industry, in both using medical imaging on patient’s soft tissue, organs, and blood flow assessment. The primary difference between the two is that the technologist dealing with cardiovascular system focuses on assessment of heart and artery/vein system.

Dietitians and Nutritionists

Dietitians and nutritionists plan food and nutrition programs, and supervise preparation of meals. They help prevent and treat diseases by advising good eating habits and suggesting diet changes.

EMT Paramedics

EMT Paramedics is a job requiring Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) and Paramedics. It is a job done under traumatic and physically demanding situations. Members of the EMT team are usually the first medically trained responders at the scene of emergency.

Exercise Physiologist

Experts on the mechanism of exercise or exercise physiologists, need a degree and profession certification in order to practice their profession. They may be able to create training programs for athletes, or work for firms and universities. An exercise psychologist typically needs to understand nutrition and movement systems.

Genetic Counselor

A genetic counselor is a trained specialist on determining risk factors of hereditary diseases and disorders. One provides genetic testing and gives education and advising to patients and their families.

Geriatric Nursing Assistant

GNA’s work with elderly patients in a variety of settings including hospitals, long term care facilities, and patients homes. They have duties much like a CNA with special emphasis on communication skills and helping care for immobilized patients or those with limited mobility.

Home Health Aides

An HHA provides health care tasks, personal hygiene services, housekeeping, and other related services necessary to consumer health. He or she also observes, records, and reports all changes to the supervisor. An HHA may work under registered nurse’s supervision.

Licensed Practical Nurse – LPN

An LPN works under the guidance of a registered nurse to provide routine care. They typically work in retirement homes and extended care facilities where the additional training requirements and skills of an RN are not utilized. Many LPN’s go on through available training opportunities to become registered nurses themselves.

Massage therapist

A massage therapist works with the muscles and soft tissues of a person in order to produce relaxation, improved health, and other benefits. Out of 80 types of massage, a therapist must be specialized in more than one of these.

Medical Technician

A medical technician performs basic laboratory methods, such as testing specimens and recording results. A medical technician works with diagnostic and analytic equipment, including analyzers and microscopes. Aside from that, he or she may collect samples directly from patients.

Medical Assistant

A medical assistant performs routine administrative and clinical tasks of keeping physicians’ and other health practitioners’ offices running smoothly , such as compiling, processing , and maintaining medical records of hospital and clinic patients in a manner consistent with medical, administrative, ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements of the health care system. You can read more about the tasks associated with a Medical Administrative Assistant on this page.

Medical Records and Health Information Technicians

A health information technician processes, maintains, compiles, and reports patient information for health requirements and standards in a manner consistent with the healthcare industry’s numerical coding system

Medical Transcriptionists

A medical transcriptionist type up written reports of voice recordings form doctor-patient interviews. These reports become part of the patient interviewee’s medical records.

MRI Technicians

MRI scanners are used to take pictures of specified parts of a patient’s body and are used by doctors as a basis for diagnosing health issues, MRI scans are performed by an MRI technician.

Nuclear Medicine Technologist

A nuclear medicine technologist is a highly specialized medical professional who prepares and administers radiopharmaceuticals and other medicaitons to patients. A nuclear medicine technologist may also operate computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners that are used together with nuclear medicine procedures.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)

Collectively, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists and nurse practitioners are called as the Advance Practiced Registered Nurses (APRN). Advanced and specialized skills, knowledge and experience are utilized by APRNs. The job description of APRNs varies from primary to specialized care.

Occupational Health and Safety Specialists

OSH Specialists are mainly concerned with the structure of a workplace in relation to the health and safety of the employees. The goal is to prevent injury and disease as a result of different factors such as ergonomic causes. Routine inspections are also conducted to maintain a safe working environment.

Occupational Therapists

Patients who are unable to do daily activities or work because of any unhealthy condition (e.g. physical, mental or social disorder) may likely require the help of an occupational therapist. They undergo individual rehabilitation program to learn on how to cope up with everyday tasks.

Optical – Dispensing Opticians

The work entails dispensing or providing the appropriate and prescribed optical aids such as eye glasses. They follow the optometrist or ophthalmologist’s orders. It is their responsibility to give health teachings on the proper usage and care of the lenses and spectacles.

Optometrists

Optometrists check the eye for any disorders or condition. Eye examinations are done to evaluate the patient’s ability to recognize color, focus and coordinate their eyes. They also prescribe corrective lenses and glasses, medications for eye treatment and referral.

Orthotists and Prosthetists

Patients who are candidates for an artificial limb or orthopedic brace are assessed, designed with and fitted with the device by a prosthetist and orthotist. This group of specialists is also referred as the O&P professionals.

Personal Care Aids

They provide care to hospital, hospice or home based patients who have disabilities through assisting in accomplishing everyday tasks. Responsibilities may include preparation of meals and housekeeping services like making beds and washing clothes.

Pharmacists

All medications issued from a drug store or pharmacy are dispensed with the approval of a pharmacist. They are best knowledgeable about the action, use and side effects of drugs. They help the physician on deciding which will be the best drug treatment option for a patient.

Pharmacy Technicians

With the order of a physician, a pharmacy technician is in charge of preparing medication solutions. They count, compute for the dosage, mix, label and record the medications.

Phlebotomists

Phlebotomists are trained individuals who draw blood from a patient for a variety of reasons: diagnosis, studies, donation or transfusion. They usually work in hospitals, blood banks, clinics and diagnostic centers.

Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides

The physical therapist heads a group of medical professionals in facilitating physical therapy programmes and they are called the Physical Therapist Assistants or Aides (PTA).

Physical Therapists

The main goal of the physical therapist is to assist a sick or injured person recover from the condition, return the full range of motion and manage the pain. They rehabilitate patients who have lost or diminished motor function abilities through the use of structured programs.

Physician Assistants

Guided by the order of a physician, they can perform diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive procedures to patients. They can carry out different physician responsibilities such as handle minor injuries, interpret x-ray results, and apply cast to broken bones.

Physicians and Surgeons

Physicians and surgeons assess, diagnose and treat patients with illness conditions or injuries. They conduct thorough physical assessment to determine the cause of illness, interpret laboratory results and prescribe treatment options. Surgeons perform operations to correct health conditions such as removal of tumors and fixing broken bones.

Podiatrists

If there is any problem that has to do with the lower extremities (lower leg, ankle and feet), the podiatrist is the one consulted for diagnosis, treatment and preventive advice. A podiatrist is highly specialized to treat injuries and disorders found in the lower legs and foot like those concerning other health issues (diabetic foot).

Psychiatric Technician

Patients suffering from mental and psychological conditions are handled by psychiatric technicians. They provide care through assisting in personal hygiene routine and ensuring cleanliness.

Radiation Therapists

Radiation therapists facilitate in the radiation therapy of patients with cancer. They give the proper dose of radiation to manage or minimize cancer growth.

Recreational Therapists

Individuals with illnesses and disabilities are also treated using recreational activities. Such recreational-based programs are spearheaded by recreational therapists.

Registered Nurse

A registered nurse provides holistic nursing care to a patient through a process: assessment, nursing diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation. They coordinate with other healthcare professionals in managing the health status of the patient.

Respiratory Therapists

A Respiratory Therapist (RT) aids in the care of patients with respiratory conditions such as breathing issues. An RT also plays an active role in emergency scenarios of drowning and heart attacks.

Restorative Certified Nursing Assistants

A restorative certified nursing assistant or (RNA) is a specialized type of CNA with additional training in special knowledge and skills. Some of the common responsiplilities include therapeutic rehabilitation. Skills such as draping the resident for treatment and procedures, transfer techniques, abulation exercises and range of motion activities are frequently part of the job.

Speech Pathologists

Persons with speech-related disorders are handled by speech pathologists or speech therapists. They are responsible for the assessment, diagnosis and management of speech-related problems.

Surgical Technicians

Their primarily role is to assist surgeons during operations. Starting from the preparation of the patient down to the assembly of surgical supplies, surgical technicians get ready for the pending surgical procedure.

Veterinary Surgeons

Vets take care of different kinds of animals and are in charge of the medical management of animal disorders. Prevention of occurrence and spread of animal diseases is also a concern of vets.

Filed Under: CNA Careers Tagged With: Medical Jobs

Providing Foot Care for Patient

Providing foot care for a patient is an important task of a CNA as it is one of the processes which can prevent infection and other diseases from developing in a patient.  The foot is considered to be one of the dirtiest parts of the human body due to its contact with the floor which is one of the most common areas where bacteria and other microorganisms are sometimes left by other people.  It is important to provide a regular foot care for a patient in order to maintain their cleanliness as well as to prevent any infection from developing.

The first step is to knock politely on the resident’s door and to greet them.  Next, introduce yourself and your purpose of visiting them and explain to the resident the procedures that shall be done for providing foot care.  This is to help them be more relaxed and cooperative during the process and also as a sign of respecting their privacy.

When you have done these, proceed to gathering all the materials that you will need for the process by putting them near the bed of the resident.  They include a basin of warm water, washcloths, a towel, protective cloth, soap, and lotion.

foot-care-physical-therapyThe next thing is to wash your hands and use the proper protective equipment for the procedure. Get the patient on a comfortable sitting position but avoid having their foot touch the bare floor.

Set the basin on a comfortable position relative to the patient.  Use the proper amount of warm temperature for the water and let them check if it is warm enough for them.

Allow the resident to soak their feet on the water for a few minutes then proceed to wash them with a piece of soapy washcloth.

Take the patient’s foot and provide sufficient support for it. Then using a soapy washcloth, clean the patient’s foot from the top to the bottom part and make sure that you clean the area between the toes as well.

After doing that, replace their feet on the warm basin of water to rinse the soap away from their foot.  Next, proceed to drying their feet using a clean towel making sure that the top and bottom part of the foot is thoroughly dry as well as in between the toes.  Apply some lotion in order to prevent the foot from getting too dry due to the washing procedure.

Remove any excess lotion with a towel and find a smooth and soft pair of socks to fit over the patient’s foot. Makes sure that the feet do not have any excess lotion and that the socks are well smoothed over.  Dispose of the non-reusable items in their proper container and put used lines and socks in the hamper.  Remove any personal protective equipment and proceed to wash your hands thoroughly.  Ask the patient if he is feeling comfortable and then make the necessary adjustments to make them more comfortable and put their call lights beside them before leaving the room.

Filed Under: CNA Skills Tagged With: foot, foot care

Nursing Assistant Career Advancement Options

Today, a nursing assistant can have varying choices for CNA career advancement options from becoming a licensed practical nurse or LPN to becoming a Nursing home administrator themselves. If you are planning to have a higher-paying position or would like to earn more responsibilities in a nursing home, these options will definitely provide you with the outlet that you are looking for.  They require additional experience as well as formal education so you have to be ready to meet those challenges.  Aside from this, you will also be required to practice more diligence and commitment to your job.

nurses-in-career-eventIn some states where CNAs are allowed to administer medication and IV as well as work in geriatric care, there are programs which will help you advance to these positions.  They usually entail a few weeks of training in order to earn the additional certification which is needed for such tasks.  Take note that not all states in the US allow nursing assistants to do these jobs, so this will depend on where you are currently working. These certifications are usually considered as advanced courses and will also mean added income for the CNA.

The next step is the CNA to LPN path.  One can work as an LPN with an Associate’s degree in nursing which usually takes only two years to complete.  Gaining a nurse aide license as well as sufficient experience will usually earn some credits on your LPN course and this can mean lesser expenses for the education.  A lot of institutions honor nurse aide credits and this will often shorten your required education in an LPN course.  Getting an Associate’s degree in nursing will give you a higher position in a nursing home and will also provide you with other job opportunities in other medical facilities.

Aside from this, some CNAs proceed to gaining an RN or Bachelor’s degree in nursing in order to ensure a higher salary or to earn more skills for a higher position.  Some of the downsides to this option is that most nursing courses would not take the credits that you earned in certified training and even your work experience.  The best that can happen is that you can earn a few credits for your course. You will still need to undergo the 4-year education in order to gain the nursing degree.  The perks however are great.  Once you earn a Bachelor’s degree, you will gain more job opportunities and your chances of getting hired are also increased. You can read more about what you need to do to become a nurse on this page.

Many who receive an RN license decide to become CNA instructors which allows them to teach others how to receive their certification to work as certified nursing assistants. To qualify one must hold a current RN license as well as have two years of previous experience in the medical profession.

Earning advanced training and education will often be your ticket to different CNA career advancement options. Visit this page to find a full list of medical jobs that can potentially be in your future.

Gaining additional knowledge and skills will provide you the chance to work in higher positions which will also include additional responsibilities and even longer work hours. You can read more about the differences between CNA and nurses here. If you think that going up the ladder is what suits your career or life plan, then you should take advanced courses and apply for a higher position in a nursing home or health care facility.  Remember it will all take some time and considerable finances, and dedication in order to accomplish your goals. photo attribution: westconn

Filed Under: CNA Careers

How Long Does It Take to Become a CNA

Certified nursing assistants or CNA’s are healthcare professionals that provide assistance to the patients with regards to healthcare needs. They do their job under the supervision of a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse. These professionals are otherwise regarded as the nursing assistant, patient care assistant, or the state tested nurse aide. Since considerable training is required to enter the medical field a common questions asked is, “how long does it take to become a CNA?”.

It is vital to have a high school diploma or GED in order to proceed with the CNA program. Prior to taking the program, check if there are pre-requisites needed before enrollment like taking training courses of First Aid, CPR, Medical Terminology Class, or other courses. The duration of time in becoming a CNA will take about six to twelve weeks and up to six months.

nursing-assistant-with-elderly-womanThe initial requirement is the completion of the state-approved training course. It is also important that the individual will be able to pass the state certification exam. The usual training classes for CNA is approximately three to twelve weeks which is a standard 3-credit course and this will already cover the topics regarding what the certified nursing assistant will be performing. The long-duration programs like the ones lasting up to six months have the provision for more in-depth education however these does not really offer extra advantages compared to the short-duration programs.

Varying according to state, the classes must be having a minimum of seventy-five hours and up to a hundred and eighty hours of training. It is essential that you check with the state as to how many hours will be required for the program. The training hours are divided according to different areas including lecture and clinical or laboratory training.

Upon completion of the CNA training, it is essential to complete the state’s certification exam. It consists of both the lecture and clinical part of the training that you have already learned. With the lecture part, you will be taking a multiple choice exam containing about 55-70 questions. For the clinical part, a registered nurse will be supervising you as you will perform three to five skills tasked to you in order to show competency.

Following the completion and passing the state exam, you will already obtain the certification which you can use in applying for job in various workplaces.

The responsibilities of the certified nursing assistants include the following:

– giving assistance with ADL’s such as dressing, bathing, and feeding
– doing turning and repositioning of patients specifically those who are bedridden
– helping in the implementation of medical procedures
– cleaning the rooms including changing the bed linens
– dressing the wounds
– documenting the health issues of the patients and reporting them to the nurses

To get the certificate of being a nursing assistant is one among the fastest means of obtaining a rewarding job in the field of healthcare employment. The possibilities as well as opportunities are growing that is why there are necessary requirements that you need to consider in order to become a certified nursing assistant.

The classes for the certified nursing assistant can be accessed in different places such as vocational schools, community colleges, nursing homes, technical colleges, hospitals, and any other institution offering the CNA training that is approved by the state.

 

Filed Under: Become a CNA

Iowa Direct Care Worker Registry

The Iowa Direct Care Registry provides relevant information which are useful not only for nursing assistants but for the general public welfare also.  The registry has a list of all the licensed health care workers who are authorized by the state to provide health care services in Iowa.  You will also find significant links directing you to other government agencies.  If you want to be sure of the nursing assistant that you would like to hire, visit the registry first to confirm if they are indeed licensed health care personnel.  The state has provided this service in order to secure the health services which are being provided in the area.

Iowa Direct Care Worker Registry
321 East 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319-0083
Phone: 515-281-4077
Alternative Phone: 515-281-0108
Fax: 515-281-6259
IA Department of Inspections and Appeals Health Facilities Division

The Iowa Direct Care Registry does not cater to nursing assistants only.  They also have a list of other healthcare practitioners such as home health aides, nutritional assistants, and other personnel which provide manual daily assistance on patients who are either disabled or are aged.  They also list the facilities which you can visit in order to receive health care assistance.  The licensed facilities are all included in the list which the Board of Nursing had ascertained to be public worthy.

hospital-walkBy logging on to the registry, you can have access to the list of nursing assistants who have been certified and licensed by the state of Iowa. By certification, nursing assistants are allowed to work in several healthcare settings wherein they can provide direct patient care to residents.  Without this certification, no one is allowed to work in this setting.  Hence, employers are encouraged to check the current licensure status of an applicant before hiring them on a nursing facility.

The licensing of nursing assistants as well as of healthcare units is governed by the Department of Inspections and Appeals or the DIA. Within its Health Facilities Division, you will be able to check whether a nursing assistant or a nursing facility has been certified by the law to provide health care services.  The types of facilities that they certify are home health agencies, intermediate care facilities, hospitals, hospices, assisted living programs and residential care facilities.  If you would like to check on a certain establishments capacity to provide you with medical services, you should check with the registry first.

The Registry also has links to various organizations which provide related services to nursing assistants. These are the Iowa Care Givers Association Direct Care Worker Resource and Outreach Center, the National Association of Health Care Assistants, and the Iowa Direct Care Workforce Initiative. These organizations provide support to nursing assistants through various seminars, financial, and educational aids.

The registry contains the instructions that you will need in order to access the list of nursing assistants which are licensed in the state.  You can download it from the site if you want a step-by-step instruction on how to do them.  The usual requirements are the name, last name, Social Security Number, and the certification number of the candidate that you wish to look up. The website is constantly updated by the Board so you can expect to get the information that you need quickly.

Visit this link if you would like to read more about the current IA nursing assistant certification requirements necessary in order to be certified and eligible to work in the state.

Filed Under: Nurse Aide Registry Tagged With: ia, iowa, registry

How to Measure and Record Apical Pulse

The ability of the heart to pump blood out of the heart towards the body is called the cardiac function. It can be measured by means of listening to the apical pulse, which refers to the pulsation that is located at the apex of the heart. For a person who is healthy, the heart can be located wherein the apex is in the left portion of the chest that points down and towards the left. This is otherwise known as the PMI or the point of maximum impulse.

The evaluation of the apical pulse is the most reliable non-invasive means of assessing the cardiac function. For every pulsation that you will hear, it is the combined two sounds called the S1 and S2.

nurse-aide-instructor-44000444– S1 – it is the sound that can be heard during the closure of the tricuspid and mitral valves at the end of the filling of the ventricles and just prior to the start of systolic contraction

– S2 – it is the sound heard during the closure of the pulmonic and aortic valves at the end of the systolic contraction

To determine the apical pulse, it is vital to make use of anatomical landmarks to correctly place the stethoscope over the apex of the heart because it is in this way that the heart sounds can be heard clearly. The heart rate refers to the number of times that the heart beats over a one-minute period. The stethoscope is the device used in listening to the sound of the apical pulse as it amplifies sounds.

Below are the steps when measuring the apical pulse:

1. Feel the first rib by looking for the clavicle or collarbone. This can be felt on the top of the rib cage. The first rib is the one that can be felt directly below the clavicle. The space in the middle of the two ribs refers to the intercostal space.

2. Count the ribs going down. From the first intercostal space, move the fingers going down the fifth intercostal space by counting the ribs and this space is situated between the fifth and sixth ribs.

3. Draw an imaginary line running from the middle of clavicle on the left side through the nipple and this is referred as the mid-clavicular line. The apical pulse can be felt and heard at the intersection of 5th intercostal space and mid-clavicular line.

4. Use the stethoscope by putting the earpiece on the ears and holding the diaphragm part of the stethoscope. Warm the diaphragm by rubbing it.

5. Position the diaphragm of the stethoscope on the area where the apical pulse is found. Instruct the person to normally breathe. A lub-dub sound can be heard and this is considered to be a single beat.

6. Count the total number of lub-dub that can be heard over one minute period. This will determine the apical pulse rate. A watch with a second-hand is used in counting the apical pulse.

How to Record the apical pulse rate and determine if it falls to the normal range:

– Newborns to three years old: 80-140 beats per minute
– Four to nine years old: 75-120 beats per minute
– Ten to fifteen years old: 50-90 beats per minute
– Adults: 60-100 beats per minute

Filed Under: CNA Skills

California Certified Nurse Assistant Registry

The California Certified Nurse Assistant Registry contains the list of current CNAs who have either an active license or are included in the registry’s abuse list.

California Aide & Technician Certification Section
P.O. Box 997416, MS 3301
Sacramento, CA 95899-7377
Automated Phone Line:  (916) 327-2445
Message Center: (916) 552-8811
Fax: (916) 552-8785
Email: cna@cdph.ca.gov
Licensing and Certification
P.O. Box 997377, MS 3000
Sacramento, California 95899-7377
Phone: (916) 552-8700 or Toll Free (800) 236-9747
CA CNA Certification Verification Search

The registry can be accessed by the public and to anyone who is interested about nursing assistant certification. The state has implanted this online directory in order to provide the necessary information regarding nursing assistants so that employers and their residents will be protected while providing healthcare services.  Fraudulent licenses can be made by people, however without having their names listed on the registry, they will not be allowed to work in any nursing facility.

hospital-hallwayThe California Department of Public Health is the agency which maintains the nurse assistant registry, also commonly known as the California Aide & Technician Certification Section or ATCS. They are also the one that is responsible in providing the proper rules and regulations regarding the licensing of nursing assistant. One cannot work as a nursing assistant in the state without first complying with the CA requirements for certification.  This includes undergoing appropriate training in an accredited facility, passing the physical examination, criminal background check and the state’s licensure examination for nursing assistants.  Without first complying with these requirements, one cannot obtain a certification nor be entered in the state’s Nurse Aide Registry.

The applicants who have successfully passed the certification exam and met all other requirements are entered into the registry.  In order to make this information readily available to the public, the state has also put it on a website on the internet.  This makes it much easier to access and also, the service does not entail any payment or fee.  This means that one can easily know his or certification status just by logging on to the state’s website and looking up the nursing assistant’s social security number. The information that will be obtained includes all the pertinent ones which will determine his or her capacity to work as a nursing assistant in the state.

Such information includes the CNAs past records with regards to actions or complaints which had been filed against him or her in the past.  This will provide a potential employer with a clear background as to the working ethics and habits of his or her applicant.  Other available information also includes the nursing assistant’s work history as well as the proper measures that has been dealt by the Board with regards to his license such as revocation or inactivation if he or she has failed to comply with the renewal requirements.

A nurse aide registry is an important factor in determining one’s licensure status as well as an applicant’s work background.  This will lead to the right choices in hiring nursing assistants as well as making the proper measures in order to secure an active status in the nurse aide registry.  The California Certified Nurse Assistant Registry is helpful not only to nursing assistants who are seeking their certification but to potential employers as well who would like to learn more about their applicants.  The public is also benefited with the free information that is provided in securing their safety in healthcare services.

Filed Under: Nurse Aide Registry Tagged With: ca, california, registry

Arkansas Nurse Aid Registry

The Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry maintains the state’s list of active and inactive certified nursing assistants on the state through the internet.

Arkansas Nurse Aide Registry
PO Box 8059, Slot S405
Little Rock, AR 72203-8059
Automated Phone Line: 501-682-8484
Direct Phone Number: 501-682-1807
Fax: 501-682-8551
Directory Managed by Prometric
1260 Energy Lane
St. Paul, MN 55108
Phone: 800-818-8917
Fax: 800-813-6670
Online Nurse Aide Verification for Arkansas

Through the registry, the public, nursing assistants and their employers are able to obtain information regarding the status of their licensure without having the need to wait for long hours or days before they obtain the results. The state has made it more accessible to the public knowing the immediate need to obtain such information in order to apply or hire an applicant for work.  The public is also made aware of the current status of certain individuals in order to protect their interest in health care services.

medical-center-2A Nurse Aide Registry is an important factor in the field of healthcare.  Without it, it will not be easy to verify one’s status as a certified nursing assistant and may expose certain individuals to the risk of hiring people before any verifiable information has been obtained.  We all know that there are certain people who will try to fake credentials just to get a job and this will be unfair, both to more deserving applicants as well as to the security of the patient that the nursing assistant will be handling.

By making the registry available through the internet, the state has made the transfer of necessary information much faster as well as more secured.  One can now easily know if he or she has an active license status or whether an applicant has had disciplinary actions in the past.  Having these information will make it easier for one to know the background of an applicant or to make the necessary steps in order to renew or make an appeal if there are disputes which are involved.  As we already know, information is a very important key in making any important decision especially in the field of healthcare.

In order to make this information available to the public, the state has secured the services of Prometric in order to handle all these facts on the internet. You can visit their website in order to lookup your own nursing aide certification or someone elses certification as well.  You will know what their current status of certification is, either active, inactive or revoked or dismissed.  It will also show the disputes and complaints which have led to their revocation and the proper measures which has been made by the agency in order to correct them.

To know a person’s nursing aide certification status, you will need to key in their social security number on Prometric’s Arkansas CNA Registry.  There are also other states who have their registry in this company so make sure that you are looking in the proper state.  There is no fee that is charged in order to obtain the information that you want.  You can access such information anytime, anywhere which gives you the convenience of looking for this information even at home.  Try to contact the state’s Board of Nursing if you have any further inquiries regarding nursing aide certification. You can read more about the current nursing assistant license requirements in Arkansas by visit this link.

Filed Under: Nurse Aide Registry Tagged With: ar, arkansas, registry

Nurse Aide Registry in Alaska

If you are looking for the Nurse Aide Registry in Alaska, you need not worry.  The state has made it available online in order for the public to have easy access to important information which they will need for hiring certified nurse assistants.

Alaska CNA Licensing Examiner Registry
550 W. 7th Avenue., Suite 1500
Anchorage, AK 99501-3567
E-mail:nursing@alaska.gov
Phone: (907) 269-8161 or (907) 269-8196
Search the Alaska Certification Verification Database

The state acknowledged the need for ease of access to this information due to the overwhelming demand from prospective employees and employers to know about their current license status. Although other forms of communication are reliable, the use of the internet in order to deliver free information to anyone who needs it is a definite advantage to anyone who seeks for them.

hospital-bedIt is important to have an easily accessible site where one can get important information regarding a state’s health office.  This is one of the main concerns of the state of Alaska and has made the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing one of the institutions which will give the public easy access to records with regards to the licensing of health workers. One can easily find this website by keying in the appropriate words in search engines.  The website offers free information to those who are looking for the current status of licensure of different workers who wish to apply as certified nurse assistants in the state.

We all know that having the correct information is vital before hiring anyone for this particular position.  This is due to the sensitive work that will be involved in handling patients which a certified nurse assistant is required to do.  Hence, the state has implanted proper regulations before one can achieve a license as a certified nurse assistant.  This includes proper training in a right training facility, passing the state and federal criminal background check, having physical examinations to determine an applicant’s ability to perform his or her work, and passing the state’s examinations for nursing assistants. Click this link to learn more about current AK nursing assistant certification requirements.

All of these processes need to be successfully passed by an applicant in order for her or him to be included in the state’s Nurse Aide Registry.  Not everyone are eligible for this type of work hence the strict standards and regulations that they impose.  Aside from that, one can have current complaints and other problems which would need to be resolved by the state’s Board of Nursing and which in turn will also be supplied in the information with regards to a particular certified nursing assistant.  This will also be indicated in the website which is shown by either a red or green color on the applicant’s status.

By providing the public with such information, they will be better able to judge an applicant’s capacity to do her job or for a CNA to know what his or her current licensure status is.  The easier that this information is relayed to the public, the better chances will there be to provide the appropriate health care services to them.  Having made it online has only made it certain that the best applicants will get the best types of jobs and positions for this field of work.

Filed Under: Nurse Aide Registry Tagged With: ak, alaska, registry

Alabama Certified Nurse Aid Registry

The Alabama Certified Nurse Aide Registry is the easiest way to check whether one can work as a certified nursing assistant in the state or not. It contains all the necessary information regarding a CNA applicant which can lead to his or her getting hired as well.

Alabama Certified Nurse Aide Registry
The RSA Tower, Suite 600, 201 Monroe St.
Montgomery, AL  36104
Phone: (334)206-5169
Contact: Ron Holland, Special Investigator
Phone: (334)206-5169
E-mail: Ronald.Holland@adph.state.al.us
Website to: Verify the status of a CNA in AL

All of those who have passed the state’s requirements about being a nursing assistant are entered into the Alabama Certified Nurse Aid Registry.  If you wish to inquire whether you or someone who is applying to you as a CNA is certified, you can use the online Registry to verify them.

health-care-nurseThe Registry is maintained by the Alabama Department of Public Health which is also responsible for the regulation and the licensure of all applicants who are able to satisfy the state’s requirements for healthcare providers.  Hence, if you want to be included in the registry, you first have to undergo the various trainings and examinations in order to be entered into the registry.  Those wishing to become certified nurse assistants must comply with the age, training, criminal background check, and pass the licensure examination for certified nurse assistants. After complying with these, you will be notified of your current status by visiting the online Registry which can be accessed by providing the proper information. You can read more about all of the current nurse aide requirements in AL by clicking here.

There are several departments who are involved in the implementation of state health regulations in the state of Alabama.  There is the State Board of Health which provides the policies for medical, sanitation, and public health issues.  The State Committee of Public Health on the other hand, is an authorized representative of the State Board of Health.  They are all governed by state laws and represent the government’s authority and concern about the welfare of their residents as well as transient occupants. Those who wish to avail of the Department’s services can visit their website.

One of the greatest concerns that the Alabama Department of Public Health had in mind was the accessibility of information regarding certified nursing assistants in their state.  They know that not everyone has the physical ability to visit their office in order to make the necessary inquiries regarding this work.  So, they chose to offer public inquiries to be made available through their website.  One can easily find if his or her certification has been granted to them by conducting a search in their online Nurse Aide Registry.

It is very easy to use as you only have to enter the number of one’s Social Security Number in order to verify whether they are currently certified or not.  One can also see if there had been any actions filed or is being made on the applicant based on the notations which can be found on the search results.  You can see if their licenses had expired or are being withheld due to current petitions for misconduct.  You will also be able to see past offenses through the search and will be able to hire them or not based on this very useful information.

Filed Under: Nurse Aide Registry Tagged With: al, alabama, registry

Illinois Health Care Worker Registry

You can look up certified nursing assistants in the state of Illinois through the Illinois Health Care Worker Registry.  The registry shows the list of all health workers who have passed the state certification as well as other pertinent information which are related to health care.  It can be accessed through the internet by logging in at the state’s Department of Health website.  You will be able to know if a certain applicant has a current active status and can be hired to work at a nursing facility by checking their registry status at the website.

Illinois CNA Registry
Department of Public Health
535 West Jefferson Street
Springfield, Illinois 62761
Phone Verification: 217-785-5133
Fax: 217-524-0137
TTY: 800-547-0466
Email: DPH.HCWR@Illinois.gov
Search the Illinois Nurse Aide Registry

The state of Illinois provides several requirements in order for one to be entered into the state’s Health Care Worker Registry.  This includes taking up certification training at an accredited training facility, undergoing physical and criminal background checks, and passing the certification exams within two years after finishing the instruction.  If you fail to have these requirements done during their specified periods, you will not be allowed to take the state certification test and in turn will not be able to work as a CNA in the state.

illinois-buildingsNurse aide training is a prerequisite in becoming a nursing assistant if you do not have a basic nursing education or its equivalent.  You will have to look for training facilities which have been approved by the state’s Board of Nursing and is accredited by the state to provide such training.  You must meet the required number of hours of training in both the classroom and clinical setting.  You can apply to take the exams also if you have finished a related course from outside of the United States provided that it meets the educational standards which are used here.  You only need to furnish a copy of your transcript of records and other pertinent documents that will be requested from you. You can read more about current IL nurse aide certification requirements here.

Aside from this, you also need to pass the physical and criminal background check which is mandatory.  You need to pass a physical exam which shall determine your physical ability to do things such as lifting and moving heavy weights as well as passing medical tests for various contagious diseases.  The criminal background check is to ensure that you do not have any disqualifying convictions such as those which involve violence, drugs, theft and felony.  Having been convicted for such crimes will prevent you from getting hired in the state.

Passing the state certification exam will be eventually your way into getting hired as a certified nursing assistant.  Your name will be included in the state’s Health Care Worker Registry and potential employers may now choose whether to hire you or not as you have passed the state’s standards for providing health care services to the public.  You will not need to renew your license once you pass and it will be up to your employer to keep your information updated by entering your work history on the online registry.  This way, the public will know whether you are an active CNA in Illinois.

Filed Under: Nurse Aide Registry Tagged With: il, illinois, registry

Florida Nursing Assistant Registry

The Florida Nursing Assistant Registry provides the list of current and active CNAs as well as those whose licenses have been revoked or suspended due to abuse or violations of resident rights.

Florida Licensure Support Services
FL Department of Health
Certified Nursing Assistants Council
4052 Bald Cypress Way Bin C-13
Tallahassee, FL 32399-325
Phone: (850) 488-0595
Hours: M-F 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET
For Applications and Fees
P.O. Box 6330
Tallahassee, Florida 32314-6330
FAX: (850) 412-2207
FL CNA license verification

If you wish to know about the current status of your nurse aide license, you should visit the state’s online registry which is maintained by Prometric.  The site contains all of the important information that is related with nursing aide certification as well renewal and applying for reciprocity in the state.

The state of Florida has adopted certain rules which cannot be found in other states with regards to acquiring nursing aide certification such as applying for the certification exams even if you took your nursing aide training outside of the United States.  One is allowed to do that provided that they comply with the state’s rules and standards as to such a case.  You can also apply even if you are not a permanent resident of the United States and has recently migrated if you can show them the proper documents that they would require from you.

florida-homeAs to other rules, they are the same with those which can be found in other states.  The applicant should be at the proper age, should be physically capable of meeting the demands of the job, and should have a state and federal background check.  They should also be able to pass the certification examinations within the prescribed period.  Another benefit that one can get by applying for a certification in Florida is that they can be reimbursed for any expense incurred for their training if they can be employed within a short period of time after passing the test.  They also have more lenient reciprocity standards compared to other states.  Hence, the state is attracting more CNA applicants aside from the fact that they are one of the highest paying states when it comes to nursing assistants.

Prometric handles all of the information about the current license status of nursing assistants who have been granted to work in the state.  You can gain this information by entering the applicant’s social security number on the website.  They also have information regarding those whose licenses have been revoked or suspended by the Board due to violations involving abuse and neglect of a resident.  Hence, one may need to be careful to take good care of his or her reputation as a nursing assistant while they are at their respective work.

Although the nursing assistant registry is being maintained by Prometric, any application or change of name and address should still be addressed to the office of the Florida Board of Nursing.  They are the ones who will be in charge of settling disputes and actions which will be filed against nursing assistants also.  Documents that will be required in order to gain admission to take the test which will also be submitted to the Board.  You can do this online by visiting www.flhealthsource.com which is maintained by the Department. you can also visit this page to read additional details about the current FL nursing assistant certification requirements.

Filed Under: Nurse Aide Registry Tagged With: fl, florida, registry

Connecticut Nurse Aid Registry

The Connecticut Nurse Aide Registry is maintained by Thomson Prometric and contains all the necessary information with regards to nursing assistant certification.  One can access the current certification status of nursing assistant by logging on to this website and doing the appropriate search on the website.

Connecticut Nurse Aide Registry
410 Capitol Avenue, MS# 12 MQA
PO Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
Phone: 860-509-7596
Fax: 860-509-8457
Registry Managed by:
Prometric of Connecticut
1260 Energy Lane
St. Paul, MN 55108
Phone: 866-499-7485
Fax: 800-813-6670
Connecticut Search for a Nurse Aide

By accessing the online registry there is plenty of information which will be of help to someone who is looking for his or her own certification as well as for employers who are looking for an applicant’s current certification.  Knowing this information will definitely be of great importance to anyone who has a direct concern with this type of employment. It is also important to know that no one who is not included in the state’s nurse aide registry shall be allowed to work as a hospital-bed-44nursing assistant in any healthcare facility.  This is to ensure that the quality of services that will be delivered by an applicant is one that complies with the state’s standards and that the applicant does not have any disqualifications as well.  Having information regarding a CNAs status of certification is a very important factor in deciding whether to accept him or not with regards to a certain application.  The registry being available to the public in general makes it easier for people to get informed about the healthcare workers which are available to them.

There are several things which an applicant has to go through before he or she can be included in the state’s nurse aide registry.  There are the required training hours which must include not just classroom or theoretical training but clinical practice as well; the physical examination in order to determine fitness to the job; the criminal background check in order to make sure that the applicant does not have a history of violent or drug related convictions; and the final licensure examination for nursing assistants in order to determine their know how of the job.

Without having passed all these requirements first, no one can be entered in the nurse aide registry which shall also attest to his or her aptitude and qualification in doing nursing assistant work.  This also protects the citizens from any unqualified applicants for nursing assistant work. To make sure that nursing assistants will provide the best healthcare services to the public, the state has made a set of rules which they have to comply with if they are to maintain their certification and license.

By visiting Prometric’s website, you will be able to access records with regards to particular nursing assistants.  You will see the certified health care employees past work history as well as any complaint or action that has been filed against him or her.  You will also be able to check the status of his certification, whether it has expired or not which will determine his eligibility for CNA work. By knowing these facts one can make the best decisions regarding the hiring of a particular applicant or not.  Aside from easy access to this information, it is also for free which makes it really an advantage for the general public. Visit this page to learn more about the CT nursing assistant certification requirements.

Filed Under: Nurse Aide Registry Tagged With: Connecticut, ct, registry

Nursing Assistant Registry in Colorado

The Nursing Assistant Registry in Colorado is the one which maintains the list of current certified nursing assistants who are either active workers in the state, or those whose licenses have been revoked due to complaints or misdemeanors.  The registry is accessible online and information can be acquired for free.

Colorado Nurse Aide Registry
1560 Broadway, Suite 1350
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: 303-894-2430
Phone for Online Services Help: 303-894-2421
Fax: 303-894-2821
Email: dora_dpo_onlinelicenses@state.co.us
CO Online CNA License Verification and Search

Using this online database one can get the information that he or she needs concerning a particular nursing assistant without having to wait for days or weeks in order to obtain the result.  The state has done this important step in order to protect their citizens and to provide the best healthcare services and reliable up to date information.

hospital-bed-33A nurse assistant registry is a very important tool not just for the nursing assistants themselves but also to the pubic who will be requesting for their services as well.  Having sufficient information can be one of the best protections against any substandard healthcare services.  Knowing that the state has created stringent standards for one to acquire a nursing aide certification, one can rest assured that the person who is included in the nurse assistant registry is one who has passed all that qualifying standards.  No one is allowed to work as a nurse aide in the state without being entered first in the state’s nurse assistant registry.

Before one can be included in this list, he or she has to comply with the state’s requirements for nursing assistants.  This includes taking up the appropriate training in a state accredited CNA training facility, having sufficient clinical experience in a nursing facility, passing the physical exams, the criminal background check, and the state licensure examination for nursing assistants.  All of these require strict adherence to the rules if you are to pass the final certification test.  Although considerations are given to those who have handicaps which will not otherwise affect the rendering of nursing aide services, the process is still a rigorous one. You can visit this link to get additional helpful important information with regards to current nurse aide requirements in Colorado.

The nurse assistant registry is a useful site where one can get the information that they need with regards to certification issues in nursing assistant.  By entering the person’s social security number, they gain access to important information regarding the current licensure status as well as the person’s past work history.  You will be able to check any actions that have been filed against him or her if he has committed any misdemeanor while on the job.  You can also see if his or her license is active or inactive or has been revoked due to disqualifying circumstances. You can also search the state registry website for additional details about those who have records of patient abuse and are therefore prohibited from getting employed in the state.  You will be able to check what particular violations were committed as well as the date of their commission. Such information are updated regularly which gives you a better outlook about hiring nursing assistants.  This makes it secure for the public to hire the people who are definitely qualified for the job.

Filed Under: Nurse Aide Registry Tagged With: co, colorado, registry

Restorative Certified Nursing Assistants

Restorative certified nursing assistants play the expanded role of certified nurse assistants as they have undergone additional specialized training focusing in restorative nursing care. They help the clients in obtaining an improved quality of life by means of increasing mobility and strength levels. Often, these professionals work in hospital therapy departments, assisted living communities, long-duration care facilities, adult day care centers, home health agencies, and rehabilitation centers.

The restorative certified nursing assistants work with the residents who need restorative nursing measures in order to achieve or maintain the highest functioning level. They medical-assistant-carerender direct restorative care as well as delegated therapy tasks and these include active and passive range of motion, special positioning techniques, ambulating, bladder restraining, and restorative dining.

Part of their duties also include giving assistance to the regular certified nursing assistants with regards to positioning, ambulation, specifics of activities of daily living, application of safety devices, documentation, and other assigned duties.

Specific duties that restorative nursing assistants perform include the following:

• Cleaning and organizing the work area as well as disinfecting the equipment following a treatment.
• Operating office equipment like the voice mail messaging systems. They also make use of the word processing, spreadsheet, and other software applications needed for the preparation of reports, letters, invoices, case histories, financial reports, and medical records.
• Giving instructions, motivation, and assistance to the clients who practice exercises as well as functional activities. This is done as directed by the medical staff.
• Recording the treatment that has been done including the equipment that were used.
• Having discussions with the colleagues for the evaluation of the client information necessary to plan, modify, and coordinate the treatment.
• Observing the clients at the time of the treatment for the compilation and evaluation of the data regarding their progress and responses. Also, they are the ones to report the data to the physical therapist.
• Securing the clients into therapy equipment.
• Changing linens which include the pillow cases and the bed sheets.
• Transporting the clients to and from the treatment rooms. Upon transportation, they make use of wheelchairs or have the provision of standing support.
• Arranging treatment supplies for them to be in order.
• Answering telephones and directing the calls to the appropriate recipient of the call.

In order to qualify for the restorative nursing assistant course, one needs to have the following criteria:

– The person must be practicing CNA with a minimum of six months experience following the completion of the CNA program.
– There must be a recommendation coming from the director of the nursing facility from which he or she is employed.
– The person must possess a high school diploma or GED.

For the education program, there is a manual available which is developed by the Department of Health and Senior Services. It has thirty hours of classroom and laboratory instruction. There is a minimum of 30 hours clinical practice for every participant and they are being supervised by the facilitator or licensed therapist. The evaluation may be gauged through written examinations.

Filed Under: CNA Careers

Hawaii Certified Nursing Assistant Registry

The Hawaii Certified Nurse Aide Registry lists all the certified nurse aides in the state of Hawaii.  Here you will be able to find valuable information regarding current licensure status in order to determine if he or she can be hired to work as a CNA.  It is a standard in this state to hire only those whose names are included in the list and are deemed to have completed training and hold an active state issued license.  Without this very important requirement, no one can be allowed to work in any health care facility in the capacity of a nurse aide.

Hawaii Nurse Aide Registry
PO Box 3469 Honolulu, HI 96801
Phone Number: 808-739-8122
Fax: 808-734-8318
Registry Managed by:
American Red Cross
4155 Diamond Head Road
Honolulu, HI 96816
Phone: 808-734-2101
Fax: 808-735-8626
Verify a CNA in Hawaii

The state has hired the services of Prometric in order to handle and manage the online nurse aide registry making it easily accessible to anyone who wishes to acquire information regarding one’s licensure status.  It is not easy to hire a health aide worker especially when their tasks involve taking care of the physically incapacitated and the weak.  This means that nurse aides have to go through a strict and rigorous training as well as examination in order to determine if they can do the tasks of the job to the specifications set by the federal and state governments.

hawaii-state-building

By visiting Prometric, you can find a workers certification status and background history.  The registry contains all the names of persons who have a current and active certification as well as those who have a revoked or suspended license due to abuse and neglect of residents.  If a nursing assistant has a complaint filed against him or her and the Department of Human Services have found it to be true, his or her license would be revoked and will never be allowed to work as a CNA again in Hawaii.

You can look these types of information up on Prometric by entering the candidate’s name and social security number on the search box.  The service is free of charge and can be done by anyone who wished to obtain information regarding a particular CNA applicant.  The state has made the registry accessible online due to the various demands that come from the many employees who wish to know their current status also.  This way, the public is made more aware of their right to safe and highly capable health workers who can deliver their services based on a very high standard which is one of the aims of Hawaii’s Department of Health.

The Prometric website also provides valuable access to helpful information with regards to acquiring nurse aide licenses.  They provide the forms and manuals which one has to read in order to pass the test which is also administered by the company.  By visiting the website, one can also have access to other helpful links which are related to certification, such as the Professional and Vocational Licensing Division which officially provides the certification for all nursing aides.  There is also the Department of Health and the Department of Human Services which also helps to maintain the Registry as well as receives all formal complaints against training facilities and their employees. Visit this page to read more about the latest HI nursing assistant certification requirements.

Filed Under: Nurse Aide Registry Tagged With: hawaii, hi, registry

Utah Nursing Assistant Registry

The Utah Nursing Assistant Registry or the UNAR is the online source of public information with regards to the number of certified nursing assistants who are eligible for employment in the state.  It contains valuable information with regards to nursing assistant employment and other relevant information.  There are no fees charged when acquiring the important information that you wish to get about a nursing assistant and the website is open to public use.  If you want to get the latest news about the Board of Nursing, you can also access them through the website.

Utah Nurse Aide Registry
550 East 300 South, Kaysville, UT 84037
Phone: (801)547-9947
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday from 7:30 AM and 4:00 PM
UT Registry License Search

The state of Utah requires everyone who wishes to work as a nursing assistant in a nursing facility, to obtain a certification first before being hired by an employer.  They do have an exception to this rule, but it requires one to obtain a certification after four months of work in the nursing facility.  If the employee cannot do so, then he or she will be removed from work and will have to undergo training and certification examination.  If you wish to work as a CNA in Utah, you will have to meet their training requirements first before applying for work. Schools need to be approved by the state and are available at many different nursing homes, hospitals, community colleges, and private vocational centers throughout the state. You can read more on this page about the latest UT nurse aide certification requirements.

putting-medical-gloves-on-68272The registry serves different purposes to anyone who visits the page.  This includes providing relevant information to nursing assistant themselves as well as to potential employers also. The registry is a good source of information with regards to training, certification, renewal, and reciprocity needs of a nursing assistant.  It is also a good source for those who wish to hire a licensed health care worker in Utah.  It contains a list of all the possible candidates for CNA work as well as those who have had issues with abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property in a certain nursing facility.

If you are looking for the background of a certain nursing assistant, you can use the registry to lookup their current information and determine if their license is in good standing.  Through the nurse aide verification system of the website, you will be able to find out whether a particular candidate can be hired or not.  You only need to enter the workers name, certification number, or date of birth in order to know whether they have a current and active status as a nurse aide.  Not having this status would mean that the worker cannot be hired by a nursing facility and that they should contact the registry first in order to know more about it.

The Utah Nursing Assistant Registry can be freely accessed online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Through the website, you will also be able to get useful information about documents needed to apply for the examination, submit work verification, certification requirements, renewal procedure, and testing centers.  You will also find a list of approved CNA training centers which can greatly help in your journey towards getting work.

Before a nursing home, or health care center will consider hiring a potential employee, it is important that they know whether they have the current certification status that will make them eligible for hiring. For this reason it is imperative that you always make sure the registry has your current address and contact information so they can send you renewal information prior to your renewal due date.

Filed Under: Nurse Aide Registry Tagged With: registry, ut, utah

Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry

The Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry provides an online licensure Verification system which allows employers and CNAs to know what their current certification status is and also provides for additional services as well which are related to healthcare services.  The website is continuously updated so you are guaranteed that you are getting relevant and updated information whenever you make a search in them.  You can request for written or paper certification verification to the Board of Nursing.  Overall, the website provides useful information to those who wish to work as nurse aides as well as to nursing facilities who wish to employ them.

Tennessee Nurse Aide Program
425 5th Avenue North, Cordell Hull Building, 3rd Floor
Nashville, Tennessee 37243
Fax (615) 248-3601
Phone: (615) 532-5171
Email: tn.health@tn.gov
Hours: Monday-Friday 8AM – 4:30PM Central
Automated Phone System: 1-800-778-4504 Toll Free
Competency Evaluation Conducted By:
D & S Diversified Technologies LLP
333 Oakland Avenue, Findlay, OH 45840
Fax (412) 422-8328
Toll Free (877) 201-0758
TN Licensure Verification Search

The website offers an easy process for the verification of nurse aide certification through their online search system.  You will only need to enter information with regards to the candidate’s name and certification number and the website will give you a result of the possible candidates.  You will also be able to see if there had been any disciplinary action which had been imposed on the candidate, a profile of their past work history, and any data with regards to finding of abuse, neglect or misappropriation of property that they may have committed in nursing facilities.

taking-blood-pressure-90101The website also contains helpful links which they can access to make their search easier especially if there had been any recent incidents which may have a significant impact on the registry status of the nurse aide.  This includes links which leads to the Abuse Registry, Monthly Disciplinary Actions, and Licensure Verification sites which can make your search easier.  It is important for employers especially to constantly look up these links in order to maintain a good set of employees on their facilities.  They can also get constant updates about the recent issuances of the Department of Health.

The CNA lookup can also be done more easily if you enter the specific name or last name of the candidate instead of entering a particular location or city in your search.  The website will be able to come up with a potential list of candidates if you do this instead of the city search. You can enter a few beginning letters of the name or last name of the CNA and you can get a few suggestions of licensees who may have the same name.  The registry is maintained by the Regulatory Board Data System and is constantly updated to provide the public with the most recent information with regards to nursing assistants.

The Tennessee Nurse Aide Licensure Verification is a public service of the Department of Health in order to provide the optimum healthcare services to their residents.  In view of the Department’s aim to give the safest and best protection for the health of the public, they try to maintain a fresh and updated registry which shows candidates who can provide the best nurse aide services in the state and those which have committed violations of abuse or neglect of residents and which cannot be employed in any nursing facility at all.

If you are looking for information on the current TN nursing assistant certification requirements, visit this page.

Filed Under: Nurse Aide Registry Tagged With: registry, Tennessee, tn

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • Next Page »

Nursing Assistant Pages

  • CNA Salary
  • Nurse Aide Registry
  • Duties
  • Skills
  • Testing
  • Careers
  • Recertification
  • CNA Refresher Course

Recent Posts

  • Nursing Assistant Schools in Plano, TX
  • Nurse Aide Salary in West Virginia
  • CNA Salary
  • Delaware Nurse Aide Certification
  • CNA Salary in Wyoming

Copyright ©2011-2018 Certified Nursing Assistant Classes

Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Website Agreement