There have been many job losses throughout this downward spiraling economy, and many of these jobs may be gone forever. If you are looking to future job security, then look to the medical field. Statistics show that skilled people will be needed by the medial profession in the future and they are now in demand in certain areas.

The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a vital part of a patient’s healthcare whether in a hospital, clinic, nursing home, or a long term care facility. The Certified Nursing Assistant works directly under the supervision of a registered nurse and is a part of the patient’s medical team. The CNA must keep eyes and ears open and at all times be alert to the patient’s manner of behavior and must know what to do in an emergency.

In some instances the CNA works in the home of the patient but is always under the supervision of a registered nurse. The CNA’s duties are made up of such things as: taking vital signs, helping patients eat, dress, wash and other such things as the patients cannot do for themselves. The CNA is required to keep the patients surrounding clean and neat but they are not required to do any heavy housework.



CNA Certification
In order to be a CAN you have to be trained and certified. First the CNA has to be trained in the proper fundamental hygiene as follows:

·Brushing and flossing a patient’s teeth;
·Helping the patient shower, shampoo and comb or brush their hair;
·Assisting male patient’s in shaving;
·See the patient to the bathroom or giving them a bed pan;
·Empty urinary bags;
· Provide care to patients with catheters and must be trained to be able to insert a catheter; and they
·Collect urine and stool samples and provide enemas.

These are the fundamental hygiene procedures that are expected from a CNA. The CNA Training also includes:
·Taking the patient’s vital signs and recording them;
·They learn to dress and undress a patient; and
·They learn to properly move a patient from bed to chair. This training includes the use of mechanical lifts.

Trained, Certified Nursing Assistants are a valuable part of the medical profession.