6 Essential Qualities of Certified Nursing Assistants

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) are the backbone of daily patient care in various healthcare settings, including our ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) at SCA Health. Their role requires a combination of technical expertise, interpersonal skills, compassion, and dedication.

Let's explore some of the key qualities that make a successful CNA:

Attention to Detail

Precision is essential in healthcare. CNAs must be meticulous in their work, from accurately measuring vital signs to observing changes in a patient's condition.

Communication

CNAs must be able to clearly communicate key information to supervisors. Additionally, Renee Galvan, SCA Health’s Clinical Education Director, points out, "They should have a clear understanding of their role and know what is outside their scope or skillset so that they can communicate this to the nurse who delegated the task."

Empathy and Integrity

The ability to see the person, not just the patient, can transform good care into exceptional care.? Furthermore, patients rely on CNAs for most day-to-day activities. While some patients are able to advocate for themselves, others are fully dependent due to physical or cognitive disorders.

Galvan states, “Because CNAs handle some of the most intimate tasks for patients, they are the ones relied upon to ensure their safety and be the eyes and ears of the nurses, who might be attending to something more critical.” As such, the role of the CNA is one of trust, advocacy, and integrity.

Physical Stamina

Patient care is often physically demanding, requiring long hours on foot and assistance with patient mobility.

Time Management

In the fast-paced world of ASCs, juggling multiple tasks while ensuring each patient receives attentive care is a must. CNAs play a vital role in keeping schedules on track without ever compromising on patient care.

Adaptability

Healthcare is an ever-evolving field. The best CNAs are those who embrace change as an opportunity to grow and improve patient care.

At SCA Health, we value these skills and provide ongoing training to help our CNAs excel at what they do. Working in an ASC setting offers unique advantages, including collaborative opportunities and often more predictable schedules compared to traditional hospital settings.

If you're passionate about patient care and possess these essential skills, we invite you to consider joining our team. At SCA Health, you'll find a supportive environment where you can grow your skills, make a real difference in patients' lives, and potentially build a foundation for further career advancement in healthcare.

Ready to take the next step? Visit https://careers.sca.health/ to explore CNA opportunities at SCA Health.