Colorado Welcome Back Workshop on Healthcare Careers: C.N.A. Elzbieta Nolan Amy Jacobson Diana Higuera Laurence Nolan Muthanna Jabbar - enolan@springinstitute.org - ajacobson@springinstitute.org - dhiguera@springinstitute.org - lnolan@springinstitute.org - mjabbar@springinstitute.org CWB Program Office: 303-569-8634
Colorado Welcome Back Colorado Welcome Back helps foreign trained health care professionals reestablish careers in health care in Colorado and in the United States. Our main goal it to get you to a jobready state http://www.coloradowelcomeback.org/
How does CWB help you get to the Job Ready State? Participant Name Colorado Welcome Back "Job Ready" Checklist Requirement Job Ready Outcome Participant Plan Status 1 ESL Level 7 or higher 2 Résumé workshop Attended or N/A 3 Communication Skills workshop Attended or N/A 4 LinkedIn Profile completed 5 Résumé Completed to CWB standards 6 Cover Letter Completed to CWB standards 7 Interviewing Skills workshop Attended or N/A 8 Intro to US Healthcare Attended or N/A 9 Healthcare Careers workshop Attended or N/A 10 Volunteering Completed or N/A
Colorado Welcome Back Workshops Employment Workshops Workshop on Healthcare Careers: Medical Assistant Workshop on Healthcare Careers: C.N.A. Workshop on Healthcare Careers: Phlebotomist Workshop on Healthcare Careers: Patient Navigator Volunteering in Healthcare Professional Development Workshops Creating a Successful Résumé for Healthcare Careers Healthcare Professional Skills Communication Skills Healthcare Professional Skills Interviewing Skills MD Workshops Residency (MD): Application and Résumé Residency (MD): Personal Statement writing Residency (MD): Interviewing Skills
CWB Employment Workshops The goal of the Professional Development Workshop series is to help CWB participants: 1. Get to a Job Ready State 2. Understand and refresh the basic concepts of communicating effectively in a U.S. healthcare setting 3. Have all the tools and elements necessary to market and sell your skills and experiences to employers 5
Today s Agenda C.N.A. description and responsibilities Similar Occupations and Job Titles Typical job posting Employment Outlook Salary info Is the C.N.A. occupation for me? C.N.A. Certification Successful pathways to becoming a C.N.A. Next steps
C.N.A. description and responsibilities High level overview: C.N.A.s help provide basic care for patients in hospitals and residents of long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes Typical duties: C.N.A.s provide basic care and help with basic living activities. They typically do the following: Clean and bathe patients or residents Help patients use the toilet and dress Turn, reposition, and transfer patients between beds and wheelchairs Listen to and record patients health concerns and report that information to nurses Measure patients vital signs, such as blood pressure and temperature Serve meals and help patients eat Some nursing aides may also dispense medication, depending on their training level 7
C.N.A. description and responsibilities (cont d) In nursing homes, nursing aides are often the principal caregivers. They have more contact with residents than other members of the staff. Because some residents stay in a nursing home for months or years, aides may develop close, caring relationships with their patients. Nursing aides work as part of a healthcare team under the supervision of licensed practical or vocational nurses or registered nurses. 8
Similar Occupations and Job Titles Personal Care Assistant Personal Care Professional Caregiver Home Health Aide. Some facilities require C.N.A. license (but not all) Nursing Home typically requires license Hospital typically requires license Home care license not always required Assisted Living license not always required 9
Typical C.N.A. job posting JOB DESCRIPTION: Under close supervision, assists professional nursing and care providers in providing care to all patients with respect for their uniqueness Will assist patients with grooming, dressing, eating, bathing, walking and other activities of daily living MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Certification by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies as a Certified Nursing Assistant. One (1) year home health experience preferred but, will train the right person. Have a sympathetic attitude toward the care of the sick and elderly. Ability to carry out directions, read and write. Ability to effectively communicate in English to demonstrate competency in the provision of care and services safely and effectively and treat patients with dignity and respect to person and property. Maturity and ability to deal effectively with the demands of the job. High School Diploma, GED or equivalent. Must own a car and know how to drive. Able to follow driving directions.. 10
C.N.A Employment Outlook
C.N.A Employment Outlook 12
Is the C.N.A. occupation for me? Important Soft and Hard Skills Compassion. C.N.A.s provide care for the sick, injured, and elderly. Doing so requires a compassionate and empathetic attitude. Patience. The routine tasks of cleaning, feeding, and bathing patients or residents can be stressful. C.N.A.s must be patient to provide quality care. Communication skills. C.N.A.s must be able to communicate effectively to address patients or residents concerns. They also need to relay patients statuses to other healthcare workers. 13
Is the C.N.A. occupation for me? (cont d) Working Environment The majority of C.N.A.s work in nursing and residential care facilities. Others are employed in hospitals, home care, and hospices The work of a C.N.A. can be strenuous. They spend much of their time on their feet as they take care of many patients or residents They may also have to do unpleasant tasks, such as emptying bedpans and changing soiled sheets A C.N.A. may need to lift people and do other physically demanding tasks Because nursing homes and hospitals provide care at all hours, C.N.A.s may need to work nights, weekends, and holidays. 14
C.N.A. Certification Colorado has a mandatory Nurse Aide Practice Act, which means that no one may practice as a C.N.A. without obtaining certification Certification is obtained through examination Colorado Board of Nursing CNA exam The exam costs $95 in Colorado. The test consists of two parts. A 2 hour 70 question multiple choice section and a 25 minute skills section that test you on five skills. You may apply for certification as a Nurse Aide by examination if: You have completed an approved nurse aide training program You are a foreign-trained nurse, you may be eligible to take the State nurse aide certification exam Source: Department of Regulatory Agencies, Licensing Services, Certified Nurse Aides
C.N.A. Certification C.N.A. Candidate Handbook http://www.asisvcs.com/publications/pdf/070600.pdf Comprehensive resource for prospective licensees Licensing Information What to Bring to an Exam Exam Scheduling, Exam Fees Content Outlines Etc Practice Exam http://www.asisvcs.com/publications/pdf/069912.pdf Additional information http://www.asisvcs.com/indhome.asp?cpcat=0706nurse
Successful pathways to becoming a C.N.A. 1. Enroll in a Nurse Aide program at a community college Typical coursework: Certified Nurse Aide Health Care Skills 4 credits Nurse Aide Clinical Experience 1 credit Coursework prepares student for Colorado Board of Nursing CNA exam Typical cost: $500 + Exam fees ($95) 2. Apply for a C.N.A. scholarship Requirements: Prior healthcare experience; English proficiency; low-income Make an appointment with CWB, we will help you with the application Cost: $0 + Exam fees ($95) 17
Successful pathways to becoming a C.N.A. (cont d) 3. If you graduated with a Nursing degree Requirements: proof of graduation from medical program Make an appointment with CWB CWB will help you contact Licensing Board for approval Cost: $0 + Exam fees ($95) CWB will then assist you with C.N.A. employment preparation and job search 18
Next step & Q&A 19