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So, you have completed your training for CNA, passed the State test and received your license, now what? Do you have an idea of where you would like to utilize your training and skills? If not, the first step is to consider the type of employment and environment that fits your personality and goals. CNAs are afforded a wide range of environments in which to work: nursing homes, hospitals, patients’ homes, assisted living facilities and hospice organizations. Furthermore, CNAs can explore the option of working independently as contractors; basically working for themselves.

It is important to research the employers that have openings for CNAs. Put some effort into researching what kind of continuing educational benefits they offer. Do they offer their employees and staff tuition assistance to further one’s credentials in the health care field? Do they provide continuing educational classes on site? If you wish to advance in the medical field, it is most wise to know how and if the prospective employer will assist you in gaining advanced training and education. Most employers will want to have the most trained and educated health care members on staff. However, you must do the research to find the best one.

Part of that research should focus on finding a position that offers flexibility and benefits, such as:

401k contribution

Vacation Pay

Disability Insurance

Medical Insurance

Pension Plan

Flexible Work Hours

The above benefits, when collectively added to your wages, make for a substantial annual salary package. Your salary package, including benefits, is something to give thorough consideration before accepting or rejecting an offer of employment.  Quite frankly, when you add all the above benefits together, it is feasible to be presented with an annual salary package valued at approximately $40,000.00.

The crux of the whole shebang is this—a CNA career can be most rewarding, offer flexibility and many benefits. Even if you are intend to work as a CNA for only a short time, to use the position as a stepping stone to a more advanced position, such as LPN, RN, and even MD, the benefits are many. Be assured that most CNAs are seen as crucial members of the health care environment. Starting out as an CNA affords you opportunities that present advancement credentials, experience, education, and stable income.

As you are aware, it is mandatory that CNA candidates take the state exam to become registered State Tested Nursing Assistants.  There are several businesses out there claiming to offer “prep” courses for state exams. Be forewarned, though; do not waste your time and hard earned money taking other CNA “prep” courses that do not offer the same comprehensive, individualized education that Premier Choice Health Services gives to each and every student.

Being ranked the #1 CNA educational facility in Ohio, PCHS takes pride in the dedication and comprehensive one-on-one training they give to their students.  It is PCHS’ goal to assure each student candidate is properly trained and thoroughly knowledgeable prior to sitting for the state exam.  We do this by keeping our class sizes small, thus allowing for a more individualized education based upon each student’s needs.

PCHS has long been providing quality exam preparation and tutoring to those who wish to review and or study for the Ohio CNA exam.  PCHS’ courses strengthen your skills, your comprehension and confidence as medical care provider.  This is backed up by the fact that 99% of PCHS students pass the state exam.  This remarkable credential goes hand-in-hand with solid preparation and training—something you gain at PCHS.

By choosing to take the courses at Premier Choice Health Services, you are in essence giving yourself the greatest gift of all: quality education at an affordable cost.  You are also choosing to prepare yourself with the best.  PCHS walks you through each step along the way to gaining your license as a CNA.  You will leave PCHS prepared to confidently take the Ohio State CNA test at the earliest date afforded. The short and sweet: PCHS’ courses help you pass the State of Ohio CNA examination the first time around, thus allowing you to embark on a rewarding career sooner than students from other schools!

A State Tested Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a career of immense responsibility.  Thus, the reason for the State mandated testing and certification. CNAs perform many tasks in addition to basic nursing care, such as bringing liveliness, patience, wisdom and a general attitude of compassion to the lives of the frail, the elderly, or chronically challenged individuals in nursing homes, medical care facilities, and home health care.

CNAs are the key players in the lives of those assigned to their care.  One of the essential duties of a CNA is personal care, i.e. bathing, dressing, grooming and personal hygiene.  This is all dependent on the patient’s medical condition and health status. Some patients will be more amble than others and will not require as much assistance getting to and from the restroom or with bathing and grooming.  However, CNAs are expected to be physically able to move, transport, assist their patient-client from bed to chair, in wheelchair, walker, or other medically prescribed device or equipment.

In addition, CNAs may be expected to perform housekeeping duties, such as the cleaning and changing of bedding and bath linens.  General housekeeping duties include preparing meals and in some cases feeding patients who are not able to feed themselves.  Taking care of the patient-client’s nourishment must be followed according to the doctor’s advice.

Along the same line, providing attentive medical care is the core essence of CNAs.  The patient-client’s life is essentially in your hands.  CNAs deliver and dispense prescribed medications, take and monitor vital signs, and record same. It doesn’t stop there.  CNA’s must have the knowledge and understanding of various situations and conditions that can be taking place in a patient’s health based on the readings.  You have to be on your toes and be able to alert the appropriate physician or facility when and if the readings suggest the patient’s health is taking a turn for the worse.

Last, but certainly not least, the most essential duty of a CNA is to communicate well and openly with the patient-client, as well as provide companionship and emotional support.  Though the career as a CNA can be challenging it certainly is rewarding knowing you are improving the quality of lives for those who are dependent upon your care.

State Tested Nursing Assistants (CNAs) are the front-line professionals linking the patient and the rest of the medical team.  CNAs have more contact with patients than other members of the medical team and work under the supervision of nurses and/or doctors.  It clearly is a career that requires astute skills and knowledge in the following areas:  personal care, monitoring and recovery assistance.

For instance, bathing, feeding and dressing patients are daily tasks performed by CNAs to ensure proper personal care of a patient and meeting their fundamental human needs.  Patients’ health status and condition will vary.  In some cases, patients require only assistance in their personal hygiene and grooming, while others may not have the same degree of ambulatory ability.  In this case, CNAs will have to adjust to the needs of each individual patient.

In addition, CNAs are required to monitor a patient’s health.  They are also required to have the skills and knowledge to give or perform simple medical treatments, deliver and disperse prescribed medications to patients, measure fluid intake and output, record and chart vital signs, i.e. blood pressure, temperature, pulse and respiration. This is the most crucial responsibility of a CNA.  It requires the ability to give attention to accurate observations, recording and clear communication with the patient, the family and the medical team. Not only is the patient’s recovery at stake, the patient’s life is at stake.  There is no room for inaccurate or inconsistent recording and reporting.

Simply, CNAs are the “eyes and ears” for the patient’s family, nurses and doctors.  CNAs are an essential part of the healthcare team being the hands-on provider of personal care to the patient, attentive observations of the patient’s health, and detailed reports to the rest of the medical team.  In essence, CNAs are the backbone of a patient’s recovery and rehabilitation.  It is a challenging, yet rewarding, career.

It is a commonly known fact that for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) to be successful, the first-aid responder has to deliver adequate compressions to the chest.  Furthermore, the responder should have completed CPR training.  With CPR training techniques changing as fast as the advancement of medical care, each and every person, young and old, should take a CPR class every year or so to refresh one’s knowledge and skills in administering CPR.  Thinking that the course taken 10 years ago is enough is absolutely wrong.

According to The American Heart Association, “about 92% of sudden cardiac arrest victims die before reaching the hospital, but statistics prove that that if more people knew CPR, more lives could be saved.  Immediate CPR can double, even triple a victim’s chance of survival.”  It is interesting to note that the history of CPR goes back to the late 1700’s.  However, today, most Americans do not know how to perform it correctly and effectively.

More lives can be saved as more people are trained to learn the latest techniques.  For instance, the typical adult CPR is not sufficient for those victims suffering from cardiac arrest due to trauma.  As the standard hands compression CPR provides approximately 25% of healthy blood flow to the heart and brain, this is not sufficient for trauma victims. A new CPR technique uses two devices simultaneously to increase circulation.

The new technique makes it easier to perform CPR on adults.  Two devices are used to increase blood circulation.  One device is handheld that attaches a small suction cup to the chest of the victim.  After each compression, the suction cup stimulates blood flow allowing the chest to be filled up.  The second device is an impedance threshold device that attaches to the airway of the patient using a facial mask.

Retraining and retention of CPR skills are essential for everyone.  Studies have shown that memory of CPR techniques tend to deteriorate as early as three months after training, even among highly trained professionals, including doctors and nurses.  Therefore, register for a CPR class.  Premier Choice Health Services offers a comprehensive CPR/First-Aid class of the latest administering techniques every other Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. for the low cost of $55.00 per class.  The class is approved through the American Heart Associate and provides a two-year certification in adult, child, and infant CPR/First Aid.

The New York Times recently reported that, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ List of Fastest Growing Occupations, they predict an increase of 461,000 new Home Health Aide (HHA) jobs created in this country by the year 2018.  This is astonishing!  The career as an HHA is one of the top three largest growing occupations. An HHA’s annual salary averages between $20,000-$40,000.00 for providing assistance to the elderly and infirmed within the patient’s home or assisted living facility.  Other responsibilities may include meal preparation, light housekeeping, bathing the patient, monitoring and taking the patient’s vital signs, administering medications, and utilizing whatever medical equipment is necessary to sustain or improve the patient’s quality of health.

The job growth increase for Home Health Aides is due to the explosion of the elderly population.  With the excellent health care we receive in our country, we are living longer than in previous decades.  William Dombi, vice president at the National Association for Home Care and Hospice, claims the demand already exceeds the supply.  Simply, there is a great amount of elderly and infirmed patients and not enough HHAs to care for them. So, if you have a passion to help others, especially the elderly and disabled, this is the perfect time to jump in the fast growing health care field and obtain your licensure as an HHA.  Why wait to get started?

There are several programs available, such as that offered by Premier Choice Health Services (PCHS), which provide the necessary classes and training essential in obtaining licensure as an HHA.  PCHS is a well-structured institution, with friendly faculty and staff, which strive to ensure its students receive the best training that allows them to pursue a lucrative career as a licensed HHA or CNA.  In just a matter of a few short weeks, at a cost that is relatively easy on the budget, you could be on your way working as an HHA in one of the fastest growing job markets.  Not to mention, it also is a great avenue to take towards advancement in the field of Nursing.

Every single parent knows time is scarce and flexibility is important during the day to allow you to deal with your children’s needs, as well as earn a decent income.  It can be difficult to juggle both career and family.  This is also true for college students who seek employment that meshes well with their class schedule.   However, finding a job that is parent-friendly and offers flexible hours other than the typical 9-5 is not so farfetched. With a couple of weeks of training, you can be in working in the Health Care field that ranks high in workplace flexibility and is one of the fastest growing job markets.

Home Health Aides (HHA) is one of the many jobs included in the Health Care field.  Not to mention, they also rate at the top of career options for single parents and college students.  Mainly because the job offers a variety of shift options as well as decent pay, thus providing the flexibility to work around the family’s schedule or classes and provide you with steady income.  These are not the only benefits, however.  A job in the Health Care field offers many opportunities for advancement, as far as your heart desires.  Just keep in mind, the more training and education you receive, the more credentials and pay you receive.  Training and education is the key! 

Today, obtaining the necessary education to enter a strong career, such as HHA, is an option where you do not have to attend four-year colleges or universities or cough up a large sum of money or take out thousands of dollars in loans.  For instance, Premier Choices Health Services (PCHS) offers its students financial options and convenient payment plans that open the door to licensure as an HHA.  PCHS makes it fairly easy for you to get the necessary training that will launch you on your way to a rewarding Health Care career as a Home Health Aide¾a career that is growing by leaps and bounds¾in just a matter of a few short weeks. 

One Hundred and Thirty-Three students who completed the courses at Premier Choice Health Services (PCHS) rated their experience in obtaining their CNA/HHA certification, as well as express aspects of the experience they loved the most.  The top ten things former students loved the most were:

1. Professional and friendly instructors.

2. Family atmosphere among faculty and students.

3. Well structured classes covering essential subjects.

4. Hands-on clinical skill practices.

5. Emphasis on quality patient relations and care.

6. Two weeks to graduation, as compared to 6 weeks in other schools.

7. Reasonable and competitive tuition fees, as well as flexible payment plans.

8. Extensive preparation and a free review of the State test.

9. Resume and interview preparation.

10.  Job placement assistance.

Overwhelmingly, the consensus shows that compared to other schools, the 133 students feel PCHS’s faculty and personnel are the most friendly, knowledgeable and skillful, providing their students with a high quality instruction, on-hands training, and intensive review for the State test, necessary in obtaining a CNA certification.

One Hundred and Fifteen (or 86%) of the students gave their total PCHS experience an excellent, five-star rating.  Sixteen (or 12%) rated their experience with four out of five stars.  Two (or 2%) of the 133 students felt PCHS did not meet their needs.  However, many expressed that, as a result of the training they received at PCHS, they were able to find or be placed in a job quickly.  A necessary step in launching a viable and longstanding career in the medical/long-term care facility fields.  Some students were offered jobs before completing all the courses at PCHS.  What is found truly inspiring is that several former students are continuing to pursue their nursing studies, working towards obtaining their LPN and RN credentials.

As is easily seen, the reviews of students who have gone through the courses at PCHS, clearly demonstrate that Premier Choice Health Services (PCHS) undeniably strives to ensure their students a positive experience in obtaining their CNA or HHA certificates.