5 CNA Job Description Samples for 2023
Certified Nursing Assistants have one of the most important roles in the medical field. While doctors, nurses, and nursing assistants all tend to patients in healthcare, CNAs are the ones who pick up general tasks and responsibilities in the background, allowing healthcare professionals the chance to focus on the specific concerns of their patients.
We assume you’re here because you’re eager to offer outstanding health services and improve patient care by bringing a CNA on board to round out your team. Great CNAs are empathetic and efficient, with an unflappable demeanor and stellar bedside manners regardless of the situation. They're also physically capable, adaptable, and resilient in the face of potential healthcare emergencies, as they need to be able to adjust to a patient’s needs in a pinch.
Finding an excellent CNA might not be easy, but we’ve got you covered. We’ll guide you through writing a job description and give you CNA job description examples for inspiration, so you can hire the best fit for your needs.
CNA Job Description Example
Job details: Over the past decade, Sunnyside Extended Care Facility has grown to accommodate up to 50 individuals, providing compassionate, comprehensive, and effective long-term clinical support to the elderly and those with long-term disabilities requiring skilled day-to-day nursing care. We recognize that not all patients will return to 100% physical ability over time, and hence our approach to providing care focuses on helping patients adjust to a life where things are different from what they were before.
We’re looking for a Certified Nursing Assistant who'll support us as we maintain our stellar track record in residential care. You’ll work under the supervision of our capable team of licensed practical nurses (LPN), with a selection of work hours across three shifts delegated and assigned according to availability. This is a full-time contract role, and you must be able to lift 50 lbs. frequently.
Responsibilities:
- Perform preventive, rehabilitative, and restorative nursing procedures such as active or passive range of motion (ROM) to support patients as they achieve independence
- Attend to patient daily living activities by assisting in bathing, grooming, and feeding to enable the patient’s independence
- Perform patient care treatments such as simple protective dressing without medication
- Apply and maintain external urinary drainage systems for both male and female patients according to appropriate catheter care procedures and standards
- Monitor and report any changes in patient behavior and physical condition as well as record nursing assistant interventions performed
- Collect patient information and nursing history to be recorded into our medical information system for reference
- Use side rails, restraints, Geri chair, and other equipment in positioning patients
- Orient patients as they join us and begin treatment
- Assist in developing a care plan for each incoming patient based on information obtained during registration
- Foster and maintain positive public relations with patients, families, visitors, and staff using effective communication skills
Qualifications:
- High school diploma or GED required
- At least 1 year of experience in nursing required
- State registered and licensed
- Nursing Assistant/Patient Care Technician Certification or equivalent training program
- Active BLS and CPR training certification required
- Driver’s license required
- Strong attention to detail
- Familiar with medical terminology
- Excellent communication skills and interpersonal relationship skills
- Empathetic and compassionate bedside manner
Benefits:
- Salary: $39 to 69K annual compensation dependent on experience
- 401(k) matching and HSA contribution
- Health, dental, disability, and vision insurance
- Paid time off and sick leave
- Generous education reimbursement
- Opportunities for advancement
About the company: When we first began 10 years ago, we found our calling in caring for and empowering patients as they adjusted to significant life changes, leading to our specialization in long-term skilled nursing care for the elderly and people with disabilities.
As we call NYC home, we serve New Yorkers around the clock with sophisticated, dedicated treatment and care methods. Our caring and qualified medical staff and technologically advanced support equipment allow us to tend to patients’ needs with our best.
While we work hard to ensure that our residents receive the best care possible, we also know that the best caregivers are empowered when they're happy and healthy. Our staff is never expected to do more or lift more than they're able, and we maintain a small patient-caregiver ratio so that each patient receives sufficient time and attention from fully present healthcare providers.
Hospital CNA Job Description Example
Job details: Manhattan Adventist Hospital has served New York for more than a century, with an illustrious history of providing medical care and treatment to those who need it most. Our dedicated medical expense financial assistance program lets us reach more people, even those who may not qualify for existing available aid—our priority as healthcare providers is to tend to those in need, with no additional terms and conditions. We’re hiring certified nursing assistants that thrive at the bedside, functioning as key points of contact for patients and their families.
As a hospital CNA with us, you’ll partner with nurses and other healthcare providers in rounding out the Manhattan Adventist patient care experience. Your skills and compassion will help keep our fast-paced hospital environment running smoothly. This is a full-time role with work hours assigned in shifts, and you must be able to lift 100 lbs. frequently.
Responsibilities:
- Measure and record patient metrics such as temperature/pulse/respiration (TPR), blood pressure, height, weight, intake/output, and bowel movements as appropriate
- Collect required specimens such as urine, feces, and sputum
- Conduct initial health and ongoing clinical assessments for patients
- Observe, record, and report patient behavior and physical condition as well as any changes and nursing care actions performed
- Perform rehabilitative nursing procedures for patients such as transfer, ambulation, range of motion
- Engage appropriate body mechanics and operate equipment safely following Safe Patient Handling procedures and training
- Maintain a safe and efficient work environment and conduct nursing activities while being informed by nursing ethical principles
- Assist patients with oral and personal hygiene including providing appropriate equipment and supplies
- Respond to any patient’s call bell or emergency light
Qualifications:
- High school diploma or GED required
- At least 1 year of experience in nursing required
- State registered and licensed
- Nursing Assistant/Patient Care Technician Certification or equivalent training program
- EMT license and BLS certification required
- TNCC certification required
- Detail-oriented, with an intimate understanding of medical terminology
- Great at communicating and building relationships
- Compassionate, warm, and empathetic in tending to patients
Benefits:
- Salary: $67 to 104K annual compensation
- 401(k) matching and HSA contribution
- Health, dental, disability, and vision insurance
- Paid time off and sick leave
- 3 weeks annual vacation
- Annual bonus and increments
- $2K education reimbursement
About the company: Manhattan Adventist Hospital prides itself on being one of the pioneers of cutting-edge medical technology, which shows in our approach to employment with us. We emphasize skills development and education above all else, so every staff member is encouraged to request placements that will further their career goals. We firmly believe in empowering our care providers and equipping them with the abilities they need to lead patients toward better health outcomes.
A typical shift for CNAs working with us begins with receiving assignments and updates from our superb team of licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in the form of a nursing report; after that, you’ll run the usual routine of monitoring and caring for patients with your very best. Your presence helps nurses, doctors, and patients as you work closely with patients all day, meaning that you’ll catch any irregularities or complications early on.
Senior CNA Job Description Example
Job details: Founded in 1975, the Grant Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (GIRM) provides physical rehabilitation treatments to stroke and sports patients, among others, allowing them to regain their physical abilities using our trademark holistic care approach. We’re looking for a Senior Certified Nursing Assistant who will help fill in any gaps while patients undergo treatment at our rehabilitation center.
You'll work with an experienced, competent team of care providers as we bring our patients closer to recovery. This is a shift-based full-time role where you'll report to and collaborate with the 50-strong nursing team. You must be physically able to lift 50 lbs. regularly.
Responsibilities:
- Prepare patients for food and liquid intake and assist with feeding as required
- Perform decubitus care and preventative skin care measures, including turning, positioning, and heel evaluation techniques, warm and cold compresses
- Assist with activities like bowel and bladder training
- Employ the use of side rails, restraints, Geri chair, and other equipment in positioning patients when required
- Monitor and report any changes in patient behavior and physical condition, as well as record nursing assistant interventions performed as part of the patient’s clinical record
- Brief and orient patients who join the institute for the first time
- Recognize and protect the patient’s right to safety, privacy, and self-determination
- Provide direct nursing care as delegated
- Execute indirect nursing care as determined by routine assignment as well as unit activity
Qualifications:
- High school diploma or GED required
- At least 2 years of experience in nursing required
- State-registered and licensed
- Nursing Assistant/Patient Care Technician Certification or equivalent training program
- Active BLS and CPR training certification required
- Meticulous, precise, and careful in tending to patients
- Excellent command of medical terminology
- Strong ability to communicate and manage interpersonal relationships
- Patience, kindness, compassion, and empathy are very much welcome
Benefits:
- Salary: $69 to 108K annual compensation
- 401(k) matching and HSA contribution
- Health, dental, disability, and vision insurance
- Paid time off, sick leave, personal days
- Paid federal holidays at 1.5x
- Education reimbursement
- Some scheduling flexibility between staff
About the company: Our NYC facility features two main sections: the first is dedicated to short-term care, primarily focused on patients requiring less than a year of rehabilitation, and the second focuses on patients needing more involved, long-term treatment, including residential care. While our rehabilitation services are in high demand, we make it a point to equip ourselves with a robust staff and a low patient ratio so we can grow along with our patients, providing them with the best care possible.
Quick note: We often serve well-known New York sports teams at GIRM, so discretion and professionalism are especially valued by our nursing staff. It’s great to be a fan, but our priorities lie in helping our patients get back to the sports we love.
Travel CNA Job Description Example
Job details: Toyint Senior Care is a medical agency focused on helping senior citizens live healthier lives through dedicated care no matter where they live. Our staff members travel from state to state, ensuring that our clients receive the best care in a space they’re comfortable with. No matter the ailment, our highly experienced nurses and CNAs are equipped to handle it.
We’re looking to increase our employee count, and we need a CNA enthusiastic about traveling to help senior citizens. Our clientele includes sports legends, old TV stars, and former public holders, so prepare to be star-struck whenever you have a new assignment. Apply today if you enjoy working hands-on with patients, their families, and nurses to provide high-quality care for senior citizens across the United States!
Responsibilities:
- Comply with industry-level safety policies for pathogen exposure
- Assist patients with basic tasks, including bathing, dressing, feeding, and mobility
- Report status changes and provide feedback to the RN regularly
- Suggest improvements to problems encountered during the changes
- Utilize, maintain, and store equipment and supplies as directed by the RN
- Complete safety checks, keeping the rooms neat and free from hazardous objects
- Enter details about patients periodically in their medical record
- Establish respectful and professional relationships with the patients and their families
Qualifications:
- A high school diploma or equivalent
- Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Older Adults Protective Services Clearance
- At least 1 year of experience working in an advanced skilled nursing setting
- Available to travel every 5 weeks
- Experience working with people from diverse backgrounds
- Proficient in writing reports and giving status reports on residents
- Strong interpersonal relationship skills
Benefits:
- $37-55K annual salary with periodic raises based on experience and performance
- Disability, health, and dental insurance
- 401(k) up to a 4% match
- $3K provision for professional exams
- Travel perks (like 2 business-class tickets per assignment and additional PTO after travel)
About the company: Ranked #1 in the Health Care Greatness Magazine: Best Places to Work for Female Healthcare Practitioners, Toyint Senior Care has come a long way from our small Philadelphia care system founded in 2002. Because of our hard work and compassionate care, news of our services has spread nationwide, expanding our customer base.
We’re practical believers in inclusion and diversity, boasting a 47% non-white employee representation, and our mission is the improvement of every senior citizen’s health. If you’re a fun-loving and friendly travel CNA, we hope to see your application!
Home Health CNA Job Description Example
Job details: Temilo Children’s Hospital provides pediatric care for children from 0 - 12 years. We cover a broad spectrum of ailments, from asthma to vascular malformations. Although we don’t focus on specialist care, we do provide post-treatment recovery monitoring. Recently, our care plans have revolved around caring for kids at home to prevent parents from worrying about hospital appointments. To adequately cater to all our patients, we need a qualified Home Health CNA who can visit homes in Iowa.
As our CNA, we expect that you have experience working with children and a passion for helping kids be healthy, safe, and free to live their best lives. You’ll partner with our primary nurses to ensure excellent patient care for middle childhood through early adolescent children.
Responsibilities:
- Assist patients with medication administration and dosage
- Provide assistance and proper care to ensure patient safety, health, and comfort
- Attend clinical practice and team conferences
- Report on patient status to the head nurse at the end of every shift
- Remain aware of the patient’s status while on duty, especially if patient is unstable
- Maintain medical equipment through proper usage, cleaning, and storage
- Assist with new health aide training
- Submit comprehensive weekly reports on patient progress to the supervisor weekly
Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Home Aide and CPR Certification
- 1 year of experience training as a Home Health Aide or CNA
- 3+ years of experience working with children, specifically older children
- Child care license for Iowa
- Meticulous and detail-oriented
- Fun-loving with a friendly, honest disposition
Benefits:
- $37-55K plus performance bonuses
- Health, life, and vision insurance
- Flexible spending account
- 403(b) savings plan (immediate matching)
- Paid time off and holidays
About the company: Our founder, retired nurse Temi Othello, founded the Temilo Children’s Hospital in 2016 to give children in Iowa the specialized medical care they needed without waiting to get a doctor’s appointment. Our hospital helps parents get medical care within hours of contacting the hospital. We provide follow-up care after hospital visits to ensure every child leaving our doors is happy, healthy, and safe. A proud Red Cross partner, Temilo Children’s Hospital organizes first aid classes across three Iowa cities, helping keep kids safe when we can’t be there. We also provide in-house safety courses to help parents care for children with chronic illnesses or conditions. If you’re a compassionate nurse passionate about helping families, join us today to keep every child in Iowa healthy and safe!
Craft a Hearty CNA Job Description
CNA roles are very comprehensive, and a one size fits all approach to writing a CNA job description just isn’t going to cut it for the vastly different needs of each medical institution. In the same way that patient records help inform healthcare providers of the next appropriate action, job descriptions inform potential hires of key details such as who the company is, the teams they’ll work with, and the problems they’ll help solve.
Bad grammar, formatting errors, and long, convoluted qualifications lists will only confuse and even repel prospective hires—avoiding these common mistakes will help keep your ideal candidate from slipping away.
Be mindful of who you need on your team and why
As you begin writing your CNA job description, think about why you’re hiring one in the first place. Some questions to consider include the following:
- What are the issues your company is facing, and will this new hire help to resolve them?
- Are your existing nurses bogged down with heavy patient ratios, and is the new CNA meant to help relieve some of the load?
- Is patient care falling by the wayside due to increased patient demand?
Certified nursing assistants do many things, but there are some common traits that almost all CNAs have, such as resilience, attention to detail, the ability to adapt quickly to health emergencies, and a caring bedside manner. These key areas should be written into the job description to reflect the values and qualities you’re looking for in a prospective hire.
For example:
- You’re looking for a detail-oriented CNA who provides patients with comprehensive care. Does your job description reflect the same level of detail you seek, or is it riddled with errors?
- Obviously, you want your hire to be empathetic, but is your job description a thoughtful reflection of your consideration for your patients and staff, or is it careless and void of personality?
- Your ideal CNA can communicate complex medical terms in a way that's easily understandable to lay people, but is your job description full of industry jargon?
Revise and refine for a healthy job description
Resist the temptation to brain dump—you wouldn’t dump a bunch of patients into your CNA’s lap (you really shouldn’t, at least), and so you shouldn’t do so with your job description, either.
A healthy job description highlights the role's minimum requirements so potential hires can quickly determine if they're qualified. Add a couple of nice-to-haves if you like, but make sure your job description is revised and edited before posting; your new hire will get their first impression of your organization through this document!
Get Your Writing Juices Flowing by Outlining Your CNA Job Description
Here’s an outline to help you snag your ideal candidate and get those CNA resumes rolling in!
Job details: In your introduction, tell the applicant about your organization and the role they’ll be taking on. While you should be brief, make sure to disclose key job details—the main questions an applicant will ask that should be answered here are:
- Who are you?
- What are you looking for?
- Why should they work for you?
What you’ll be doing/Roles/Responsibilities/Requirements: This section is where you’ll note a list of the things the applicant will do after they’ve been hired. Since CNA roles are both technical and comprehensive, being specific and transparent about your expectations will help you find someone who fits you well.
This list of responsibilities should be short and simple, with minimal jargon or complex terminology. Use active verbs in your description to help form a clear picture of the duties required in this role.
Examples:
- Monitor and report any changes in patient behavior and physical condition, as well as record nursing assistant interventions performed
- Perform rehabilitative nursing procedures for patients such as transfer, ambulation, range of motion
- Engage appropriate body mechanics and operate equipment safely by following Safe Patient Handling procedures and training
- Maintain a safe and efficient work environment and conduct nursing activities while being informed by nursing ethical principles
Qualifications: Here, include the basic requirements a candidate must have, such as education, experience, certification, and specialized requirements like a state nursing license. This is one of the most essential parts of a job description, so make this section clear, concise, and easy to read.
If you’re using relevant personality words like “resilient,” “adaptable,” and “detail-oriented,” that’s great, but take care not to overuse them.
Examples:
- At least 1 year of experience in nursing required
- Nursing Assistant/Patient Care Technician Certification or equivalent training program
- Familiar with medical terminology
- Empathetic and compassionate bedside manner
Benefits: As long as this section isn’t the introduction, it can go anywhere in the job description. You can move this section further up if you have particularly sweet benefits. When you list your perks, be specific, clear, and transparent—anything mentioned here is a selling point that'll help you attract the right candidate.
About the company: As the last section, this part tells prospective applicants about your organization. Like how patient records give CNAs complete information to work with, add details about your company's goals, mission, values, and work culture, so your new hire can assess and later adjust to and meet your patient's needs in the new work environment.
Roles and rounds inside the CNA field
Certified nursing assistants bridge any gaps between patients and medical service providers—whatever needs doing, they’re there to do it. Since they help keep a healthcare organization’s gears running smoothly, they often possess a comprehensive skill set encompassing both technical and non-technical skills on top of their existing nursing qualifications, such as patient information management, resource management and organization, and customer service.
Below are some of the responsibilities a certified nursing assistant might take on. Since every organization is different, a single CNA might not fill all these roles, but this is a sampler.
Customer Service Liaison
Certified nursing assistants are often invaluable points of contact between medical staff, patients, and family members. This can be challenging as medical emergencies can be frightening; CNAs need to have grace, resilience, and strong communication skills to help put patients and their families at ease as they undergo treatment.
- Orient patients as they join us and begin treatment
- Brief and orient patients who join the institute for the first time
- This role requires a caring and empathetic bedside manner.
Records and Secret Keeper
Medical care providers often need additional patient information when they dispense treatment, as some patients can be allergic or sensitive to specific substances. Certified nursing assistants help by collecting and recording important medical information such as height, weight, and past medical history.
- Monitor and report any changes in patient behavior and physical condition, as well as record nursing assistant interventions performed as part of the patient’s clinical record
- Assist in developing a care plan for each incoming patient based on information obtained during registration
- This role requires organizational skills, patient information confidentiality, HIPAA compliance, and attention to detail.
Caregiver/Nurturer
Some patients require long-term care or specialized assistance with movement, grooming, bathing, and feeding. A CNA helps patients with these needs by assisting with daily living activities, with the eventual goal of caring for themselves independently.
- Perform preventive, rehabilitative, and restorative nursing procedures such as active or passive range of motion (ROM) to support patients as they achieve independence
- Attend to patient's daily living activities by assisting in bathing, grooming, and feeding to enable the patient’s independence
- This role requires skills and traits like empathy and consistency.
Smart Lifter
Bed sores are a serious issue for patients who aren't turned often enough in their beds, and those in rehabilitation centers need lots of movement to heal; a great CNA may not be a bodybuilder, but they should be fit enough to lift 50 lbs. frequently. Sometimes, they even have to lift 100 lbs.—it all depends on what each patient and organization needs.
- Use side rails, restraints, Geri chair, and other equipment in positioning patients
- Engage appropriate body mechanics and operate equipment safely by following Safe Patient Handling procedures and training
- This role often requires training to safely lift and move another person using body mechanics and machinery.