Certified nurse assistant (CNA) template: Everything you need to include

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) are key players in patient care, making sure residents get the support they need every day. With so many responsibilities and the need for a caring touch, nailing down a solid job description can be tricky.

But don’t worry – we’ve got you covered with a CNA job description template that’s got all the essentials. It’s clear, concise, and gives candidates the info they need without giving them detail overload.

Plus, we’ll guide you through a skills-based hiring approach to help you find a CNA who not only knows their stuff but also fits right in with your team.

Need to hire top nurses? Use our customizable nurse job description template.

CNA Job Description Template

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Job Description Template

Job Title: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Location: [Insert Location]

Company: [Insert Company Name]

Job Type: Full-Time, Part-Time, and Per Diem Available

Job Summary:

We are seeking compassionate and skilled Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) to join our dedicated healthcare team. As a CNA, you will play a vital role in providing high-quality care to our residents, ensuring their physical and emotional needs are met with dignity and respect. This position requires a blend of technical skills and interpersonal sensitivity, making it ideal for those committed to making a difference in the lives of others.

Key Responsibilities:

• Direct Patient Care: Assist residents with daily living activities such as bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, feeding, and mobility.

• Health Monitoring: Regularly measure and record residents' vital signs, including temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure.

• Resident Support: Provide emotional and social support to residents, fostering a positive and caring environment.

• Collaboration: Work closely with the nursing and healthcare team to execute individualized care plans and report any changes in residents’ conditions.

• Safety and Cleanliness: Maintain a clean and safe environment by ensuring residents' rooms and common areas are tidy and sanitized.

• Documentation: Accurately document care provided and report any concerns or changes in condition to the supervising nurse.

• Emergency Response: Act promptly and effectively in emergency situations, using sound judgment and clear communication.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Certification: Must be a certified nursing assistant (CNA) in accordance with the laws of [Insert State/Region].

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent preferred.

• Experience: Prior experience in long-term care or a similar healthcare setting is advantageous but not required.

• Interpersonal Skills: Strong communication skills with the ability to interact compassionately and effectively with residents, families, and team members.

• Technical Skills: Proficiency in basic healthcare tasks such as taking vitals, assisting with mobility, and providing personal care.

• Flexibility: Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Preferred Skills:

• CPR Certification: While not mandatory, CPR certification is preferred.

• Restorative Care Knowledge: Familiarity with restorative nursing and rehabilitation policies is a plus.

• Tech Savvy: Basic IT skills for updating electronic health records (EHRs) and other documentation.

What We Offer:

• Competitive Pay: [Insert Details], including pay differentials for evenings, weekends, and holidays.

• Comprehensive Benefits: Health, dental, and vision insurance, employer-paid life insurance, and 401(k) with employer match.

• Professional Growth: Ongoing training and development opportunities, with the potential for career advancement within the company.

• Supportive Environment: A positive work culture where your skills are valued, and your contributions make a real difference in the lives of our residents.

Why Join Us?

At [Insert Company Name], we are committed to building a diverse team where every employee has the opportunity to grow professionally while delivering exceptional care to those who need it most. Join us and become a part of a company that values your dedication and skills above all else.

To Apply: If you are a dedicated CNA looking for a fulfilling role in a supportive and dynamic environment, we encourage you to apply. Please submit your application through [INSERT APPLICATION PROCESS HERE]

Why this Certified Nursing Assistant template works 

We kick off the template with the basics – job title and location – so candidates can quickly see if it’s a fit. Then, we move into the Job Summary, which gives a snapshot of the role’s essential components – like providing compassionate care, which is at the core of what CNAs do every day.

Next up are the Key Responsibilities because CNAs want to know exactly what they’ll be doing. We’ve included everyday tasks like helping with bathing and taking vital signs at the top so candidates can see if their experience lines up.

After that, the Required Skills and Qualifications section lays out what’s needed, like having your CNA certification. It’s placed here so that once candidates know what they’ll be doing, they can check if they’ve got the right qualifications.

We also have a Preferred Skills section, which gives candidates extra insight into what could make them stand out, like experience in restorative care.

Then there’s the What We Offer section, which highlights the good stuff – like competitive pay and career growth opportunities. This part shows that you care about your employees’ well-being, which is a big deal in healthcare jobs.

Whether it’s calming a nervous resident with a few kind words or accurately taking vitals in a busy environment, CNAs’ skills make a real difference every day. That’s why we focus on skills throughout the description. You’ll want to make sure candidates know their skills are valued and essential for success in the role.

Next steps: Attracting and assessing CNA candidates 

Now that you’ve got a detailed, skills-based job description template, it’s time to focus on finding the right CNAs for your team.

This is where TestGorilla’s multi-measure talent assessment platform comes into play. Our extensive library of 400+ science-backed tests helps you objectively evaluate candidates' technical abilities, soft skills, and emotional intelligence – key factors for a role as hands-on and personal as a CNA.

Our skills assessments also help candidates prove they have the talent to thrive in their role, so they don’t have to rely on their resume to back them up. 

But we don’t stop at technical skills. Our personality tests and Culture-Add test let you see if a CNA candidate has the compassion, work ethic, and team-oriented mindset that make them fit seamlessly in your healthcare environment.

Not every healthcare facility needs the same type of CNA. Maybe you need someone who excels in fast-paced environments and can handle emergencies with calm precision. Or perhaps you’re looking for someone with a gentle touch who can connect with long-term care residents. 

Either way, we let you combine up to five tests to build an assessment tailored to your needs so you can boost your talent discovery. 

To get you started, here are some tests that cover the core skills for a CNA:

• HIPAA test

• Communication Skills test

• Time Management test

• Problem Solving test

To dig deeper into how candidates manage stress and interact with patients, pair these with a DISC Personality test. And don’t overlook critical thinking – try out some of our critical thinking interview questions to see how your candidates approach real-world challenges in patient care.

Explore our full lineup of tests to assess CNA candidates. From practical skills to personality insights, you’ll get a complete view of who’s best suited to provide compassionate, competent care in your facility.

Ready to get started? Schedule a free demo or sign up for a free account with TestGorilla today.

FAQs

How should I describe the working hours and flexibility in a CNA job description?

When writing a CNA job description, be upfront about the hours. Mention if the job includes evening, weekend, or holiday shifts, so candidates know what they’re signing up for. 

Flexibility is key in healthcare, so you want to attract those who can handle it. If you offer different work schedules, like part-time or per diem, highlight those options too – it shows you're accommodating and can fit into different lifestyles.

What kind of personality traits should I look for in a CNA candidate, and how can I assess them?

When hiring a CNA, you want to look for someone who’s naturally empathetic, patient, and a good communicator. To figure out if a candidate has these key traits, try asking about real-life experiences during the interview – like a time they handled a tough patient situation. 

You can also try our other personality tests, like the Enneagram or the 16 Personality Types test,  or throw in some scenario-based questions to see how they’d deal with the emotional and physical challenges of being a CNA.

How can I make sure my CNA job description appeals to both experienced and entry-level candidates?

To grab the attention of both seasoned CNAs and those starting out, you’ll want to strike a balance in your job description. Highlight any mentoring or training programs you offer for newbies so they know they’ll get the support they need. 

At the same time, make sure to call out how valuable experience in long-term care or specific specialties is, so experienced candidates see that their skills are appreciated. This way, you’re appealing to everyone – from fresh faces eager to learn to pros looking to take the next step in their careers.