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Between 1946 and 1964, the United States experienced a huge increase in birth-rate.  In fact, it is the largest in U.S. history. Men and women born during this period are called “Baby Boomers,” and they currently represent 28% of today’s population.  This is significant for all people considering a career as a Home Health Aide or State Tested Nursing Assistant (CNA) in the state of Ohio.

Why? Today, baby boomers are aging and in the latter stages of life (between 48 and 66 years of age).  Older patients have different needs for healthcare services than younger patients.  In addition, soaring medical costs and advanced medical care available mean patients are no longer spending days, weeks, or months in hospitals.  Often times, they are treated, stabilized, and then sent to a nursing facility or their home to rehabilitate or recuperate.

Forbes lists the health care field in the ten most recession-proof jobs.  Similarly, they also predict a shortage due to aging baby boomers and advances in medicine.  “Patients who wouldn’t have survived cancer or HIV 10 years ago are living longer thanks to new medical breakthroughs, but they require more long-term treatment.” (Forbes, July 19, 2008)  Not only are job opportunities in this field widely available now, but the demand for HHA’s and CNA’s are expected to increase even more.  In fact, the job growth in this field is estimated to exceed the average of all other occupations.

As you can see, a career as a HHA or SNTA is a recession-proof career.  Baby Boomers are going to significantly impact the nursing home and health care industry.  There is a need for certified nurse’s aides, HHAs and CNAs in almost every city in Ohio today.  With excellent nursing training from an accredited school, such as Premier Choice Health Services, and experience, you will be able to advance your career in no time.  Get on board now by signing up for an affordable CNA training program in Columbus, to ensure a lucrative rewarding career that improves the quality of lives of so many!

If you have decided on a career as a CNA in Ohio, the first thing that needs to be done is finding a good state tested nurse’s aide school to do your training program.  As you search for the top courses offered by a local school, you may come across various titles that are used for this training that may confuse you.  Have no worry, they all mean the same thing.  Nurse aides go by many names depending on the location or state you live.  For instance, you may find nurse’s aide schools for patient care technician, certified nursing assistant, or state-testing nurse aide (CNA).   The training will enable you to work with other health care professionals to provide care to patients of all ages in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation centers, and private homes.

The top factors to look for in choosing the best CNA programs are:

State Accreditation: Only look at schools that are accredited with the state of Ohio.  Accreditation means that the school has met the state regulations, as well as nursing commissions, such as the Nursing Accreditation Commission or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.   

Clinical and Classroom Experience: The top accredited CNA programs  will offer its students ample classroom and clinical instruction covering topics such as infection control, physiology, psychology, advanced patient care, nutrition, and basic health care.

Affordability: Tuition is a very important factor.  Programs run from several hundred to a thousand dollars.  A reputable CNA school will afford its students a variety of options, financial aid, and convenient payment plans.

Top-Notch Instructors: Research the school’s faculty.  You definitely want to be taught by the best.  High caliber nurse’s aide programs will have instructors who are competent, caring, well-trained professionals; instructors who meet the state of Ohio’s educational and training requirements.

Whatever nursing program you decide on you must pass the designated state exam to receive your CNA certification and be registered with the state. Therefore choose the program that will see you through the Ohio testing process successfully.  There are several programs out there claiming to offer “prep” courses for state exams, but they are not comprehensive.  A top CNA school, such as Premier Choice Health Services, offers the comprehensive, individualized education that guarantee a high student success rate.

“Nurse Aide” means an individual who provides nursing and nursing-related services to residents in a long-term care facility, other than a licensed health professional practicing within the scope of his or her license or an individual who provides nursing or nursing-related services as a volunteer without monetary compensation.” (OAC 3701-17-07.1 (A)(3))

“Nurse Aides must complete a training program and pass a knowledge test and a clinical skills test before they can be registered in Michigan. … Upon successful completion of both tests, an applicant is issued a certificate by Prometric that allows them to work as a certified nurse aide (CNA) for two years.” (State of Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs)

As mandated by the federal government, all states maintain a registry of individuals who have met all the criteria mandated by that state, which includes obtaining training through an accredited school/program, such as Premier Choice Health Services, and passing a state-mandated written and skills test.  The registry contains a list of individuals that are certified to work in long-term facilities, hospitals, doctor’s offices, clinics, and homes as a nursing assistant.  If your name is not included in your state’s registry, you cannot legally work as a nurse aide (regardless of the title given by another state, person, school, or employer).

Below are titles and acronyms used by various states across the county and links to the respective state’s nurse aide registry:

●        Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) in Michigan, New York and Virginia.

●        Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Delaware, Florida and Maine.

●        Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) in New Hampshire.

●        Nurse Aide (NA) in Connecticut, New Jersey and Tennessee.

●        Nurse Aide I and Nurse Aide II in North Carolina.

●        Nursing Assistant (NA) in Maryland, Rhode Island and West Virginia.

●        State Tested Nurse Aide (CNA) in Ohio.

If you are a nurse aide in good standing and certified in your state and want to transfer your certification to another state, you must contact the state you are moving to and obtain the appropriate verification forms.  Be sure to inquire as to the fees (if any) and any additional documentation that may be required.  It is highly suggested that you do so far in advance of the move so that your certification does not lapse or become invalid. If you’re interested in starting your CNA career in Ohio or CNA training in Michigan, contact Premier Choice Health Services today.

When a CNA starts a new assignment, it is a time of enthusiasm and excitement, but it’s also a time that can be filled with anxiety. With careful planning and preparation, you can easily transition into your new work environment with confidence. Below are some helpful tips to assist you on your first day of the job.

1. Get an extra head start on your shift, always accounting for traffic. If you arrive early, you can walk around and get a feel for the facility or home.
2. If assigned to a facility or hospital, check in with the human resources department before you go to the unit.
3. Introduce yourself to the staff and/or to your patient(s).
4. Take notes and never be afraid to ask questions.
5. Work your day utilizing the skills learned at Premier Choice Health Services, such as assessing patients, tending to their hygiene and nutrition, housekeeping, administering medications, and basic nursing care.
6. Be observant. Keep your eyes on the experts assigned to your unit or home setting. A lot can be learned by watching how they handle medical situations, difficult patients, and interaction with others.
7. Avoid office politics or gossip. Since you are new, others may try to pull you into office politics or gossip. Instead, focus on your responsibilities and assignments. When asked to respond, do so in a professional manner.
8. Look into continuing-ed classes offered by the facility. Take advantage of every learning opportunity they offer.
9. If you get overwhelmed or frustrated, don’t give up on yourself or the facility. Every assignment is different and you should allow time to get adjusted.
10. At the end of the day, breathe a deep sigh, reflect on the people you helped and go home to rest up for tomorrow.

Keep in mind that having earned your CNA certification, you have the ability to change the lives of so many people by enhancing their quality of life each and every day. That alone should ease any CNA’s first-day jitters!

As technology advances and new processes are developed in the medical field, it is crucial that those working in the field keep their skills and expertise current. This includes CNAs who have graduated from a training program and are already working in a facility, center, or home. A reputable and accredited CNA training program that keeps up with the innovations in the medical field, such as that offered at Premier Choice Health Services, welcome their graduates back to hone the skills they once learned or to renew their CPR or First Aid certification. In fact, PCHS offers CPR Classes specifically for that purpose.

The role of the CNA as part of a patient’s core health care team is becoming increasingly important and the demands on their knowledge and skills are rapidly increasing. Employers and home health care agencies are screaming for more qualified staff and will jump at the chance to recruit well trained CNAs for available positions in a variety of health care settings. Therefore, CNAs, new and old, should take every opportunity to enhance, solidify, and further their patient care knowledge and skills in order to remain efficient and competitive in today’s rapidly advancing health care system.

Likewise, CNAs should always grab the opportunity to hone their communication and people-skills. In fact, a CNA who takes pride in what he or she does never loses the desire to learn more.  It is crucial that CNAs understand applicable state laws and regulations regarding their job, as well as maintain a good grasp on skills and knowledge regarding patient care and procedures.  Keeping up to date on the laws and mastering the various skills provided in CNA training programs provides a solid base from which to grow in this modern health care system.

If you feel you could use a refresher course to bring your CNA certification, knowledge and skills up to date, Premier Choice Health Services, would be delighted to have you in class.  Give them a call today!

Bedside manner is of utmost importance. As an CNA you may be asked to tend to and care for elderly and ailing patients in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, and patients’ own homes.  Regardless of the environment, the pace is usually demanding, fast-paced, and not always peaceful.  It can certainly be challenging. No matter how exhausted one may get, a CNA should possess an inviting and friendly demeanor around their patients at all times.  If patients feel comfortable and secure, they will communicate more about their lives, their health, and their concerns.  They will also be more willing to listen when medical issues are explained to them.  An old adage serves a CNA well regarding bedside manner:  Stop (take time to engage in conversation with your patient). Look (give the patient your full attention). Listen (patiently heed what and how the patient expresses his/her concerns).

Open and clear communication is a must. Just as it is crucial for a CNA to maintain an excellent bedside manner, it is equally important for them to be able to communicate effectively with doctors, specialists, nurses, and technicians.  Communication may be in the form of accurately documenting patient charts, relaying precise information to medical staff via the telephone, or confidently speaking to other medical staff members in person.  Having great rapport with the medical staff will ensure your assigned patients will receive optimal care.

CNAs are the bridge between patients and medical staff. Just as ambassadors around the world carry messages from one country to another; CNAs serve as ambassadors among patients, patients’ families, and medical staff in the facility or home in which they work. Maintaining good relationships is vital to maintaining open communication and enhancing the level of medical care provided to patients.  Not to mention, the ability to be an amicable “ambassador” will place you in high regard as a respected and skilled CNA.

If you’re interested in starting an CNA training program or advancing your skills and knowledge, enroll in the CNA Classes offered by Premier Choice Health Services today and get ready to put your bedside manner to great use!

Without a doubt, CNAs earn every cent of their pay.  CNAs make up a unique community of caring health professionals who provide a variety of services to clients in hospitals, clinics, assisted living facilities and homes, with a tenacious spirit that brings them recognition and respect.  For this reason, CNAs wages are in no way meager.  In fact, the wages are substantial when compared with the average salaries of other occupations in today’s economy.

For example, in central Ohio, the wages for a State Tested Nursing Assistant range from the low end at $18,000.00 (for a beginning Home Health Aide), to the high end of $51,000.00 (for a Home Health Aide in a Hospice unit).  There are many other positions, such as Supported Living Specialists and Nurse Technicians, whose wages fall in between.

It gets better!  In addition to an ample base annual salary, CNAs receive a myriad of benefits that, when translated into a monetary value, really add a substantial increase to his or her annual compensation package to an average tune of $40,000.00.  Here are some of the typical benefits often provided as perks to CNAs:  Social Security, 401k, Vacation Pay, Sick Days, Personal Days, Disability Insurance, Medical Insurance, and Pension Plans.  When you add all the benefits with the base salary, one sees that they are earning an impressive compensation package with substantial security for future retirement.

Security is most important; vocational security and financial security.  As a CNA, so many doors are available to be opened.  Doors  that lead to higher level positions, such as LPN, RN, DO, MD, to just name a few, based upon a person’s initiative, drive, and focus to achieve.   CNAs have a diverse amount of opportunities to gain hands-on experience while gaining an excellent grasp on the inner workings of the medical profession.

Lastly, but certainly not the least, it is important to emphasize that the need for CNAs continually grows each year.  More and more people are living longer due to the progressive improvement of health care in our country.  This simply means job security for CNAs, as the elderly population will enlarge and expand.   CNAs are basically guaranteed as much work as they want, so long as he or she demonstrates the proficiency, the want, and the skill of the profession.

Nursing assistant is one of the most diverse careers coming and going.  One minute he or she could be registering patients and the next be drawing blood.  It’s a career that rarely dull and often hopping.  Yet, working as a nursing assistant can provide you with a great opportunity to explore the field of medicine.  You will have many opportunities to interact with a variety of other medical professionals and technicians, not to mention many opportunities to watch, listen, and learn.

Nursing assistants work hand-in-hand with doctors, nurses, and administrators, often serving a vital and essential role as liaison between doctor and patient.  As a matter of fact, no facility, hospital, clinic or practice could run efficiently without trained nursing assistants.  They are great communicators, and versatile providers of emotional and physical support to clients and patients.

Through the avenue as a nursing assistant, you will gain vital skills in care giving, grow in hands-on experience, and, as in many cases, possibly be inspired to pursue a medical degree or establish a career in an upper level field.  Needless to say, working as a nursing assistant affords you, most of all, an opportunity to gain a perspective of the world of medicine and all those it serves.

Yet, the world of medicine is vast and wide.  Contained within it is a vast array of titles, specialties, and positions.  So, use your time as a nursing assistant wisely.  Do not be afraid to ask medical professionals and technicians in other areas questions. Engage with them.  Get to know what they do, why they do it and who they serve. Take advantage of the opportunity to explore areas in the medical field that is more befitting to you and your goals.

You do not have to have a doctor’s degree to have a fulfilling career in the healthcare field. All you need is a desire to serve and to bring a compassionate and caring touch to the lives of patients, often when they need it the most.

Once you have received your CNA certification, your medical education does not end.  In fact, it is not only a State law, but Federal law, that you be provided with ongoing medical education by the hospital, clinic, nursing home, or facility that employs you.

The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (OBRA 87) orders nursing homes, hospitals, and assisted living facilities throughout the nation to provide regular-in-service education for nurse aides. Specifically, the law requires the facility to complete a performance review of every nurse not less than once a year.  Facilities are also required to provide at least 12 hours of in-service education per year to CNAs for the purpose of addressing identifiable needs that appear from the reviews.

Likewise, Ohio Administrative Code §3701-17-07.1 (K), follows the Federal law to the “T.”  It specifically states:

“… each long-term care facility shall provide all of the following to each nurse aide it uses:

(2) Regular performance review to assure that individuals working in the facility as nurse aides are competent to perform the nursing and nursing-related services they perform. Performance reviews shall be conducted at least ninety days after the nurse aide completes successfully the competency evaluation program conducted by the director under division (C) of section 3721.31 of the Revised Code and the applicable rules of Chapter 3701-18 of the Administrative Code or commences work in the facility and annually thereafter. The performance review shall consist, at minimum, of an evaluation of the nurse aide’s working knowledge and clinical performance and shall be conducted by the aide’s immediate supervisor or a nurse designated by the facility to conduct the performance evaluations. The facility shall maintain a written record of each performance review; and

(3) Regular in-service education, both in groups and, as necessary in specific situations, on a one-to-one basis, based on the outcome of performance reviews required by paragraph (K)(2)(a) of this rule. For the purposes of this provision, “specialty unit” means a discrete part of the nursing home that houses residents who have common specialized care needs, including, but not limited to, dementia care, hospice care, and mental health care units.

(a) Formal in-service education shall include an instructional presentation and may include skills demonstration with return demonstration and in-service training. In-service training may be provided on the unit as long as it is directed toward skills improvement, is provided by trained individuals and is documented.

(b) In-service education shall be sufficient to ensure the continuing competence of nurse aides and address areas of weakness as determined in nurse aides’ performance reviews and shall address the special needs of residents as determined by the facility staff. It also shall include, but is not limited to, training for nurse aides providing nursing and nursing-related services to residents with cognitive impairment. The in-service education for nurse aides working in specialty units shall address the special needs of the residents in the unit.

(c) The facility shall assure that each nurse aide receives at least twelve hours of formal in-service education each year and that each nurse aide who works in a specialty unit receives sufficient additional hours of training each year to meet the special needs of the residents of that specialty unit. In-service education may be obtained through web-based training programs. For purposes of this paragraph, the year within which a nurse aide must receive continuing education is calculated based on the commencement of employment.”

The nitty-gritty is in-service training is necessary to maintain a valid CNA certificate, as well as ensure your continuing proficiency and expertise.  Any way you look at it, ongoing medical training is a win-win situation for you.  The continued education increases your skills as a top-notch CNA and it is afforded to you by your employer at no cost to you, as mandated by both Federal and State laws.