Certified nursing assistants, or CNAs, can enjoy a rewarding career in the field of healthcare and can even go on to enjoy a career as an independent nursing professional. As a self-employed CNA, one can take on clients privately and create their own individual schedules that best fit their lifestyle.
What is a Certified Nursing Assistant?
A CNA assists patients in meeting their healthcare needs. A certain level of training is required of CNAs to prevent liability issues and provide the best level of care for their patients. Usually, this profession serves as a gateway to other positions, such as a registered nurse (RN) or a licensed practical nurse (LPN).
What Does a CNA Do?
CNAs can work in a variety of settings. Some work in nursing homes, while others work in a hospital setting. They often function as the go-between for RN and LPN professionals in proving routine care for their patients. CNAs care for patients by managing the day-to-day needs of patients with a range of conditions. The fast-paced position requires people skills and compassion in order to tend to sick patients.
What are the Requirements?
A minimum of 75 hours of formal nursing aide training education is required to become a CNA. The certification candidate must then sit for the exam. States publish these requirements, so candidates are encouraged to review them periodically in order to determine eligibility for becoming a CNA.
How do You Become Self-Employed?
In order to become self-employed as a CNA, there are requirements that must be met on the state level. The person must complete a certain number of hours of training at an accredited institution. There may be some additional hours required for specific, on-the-clock training. There is an exam that is also required in order to become certified. Once the education and certification requirements have been satisfied, one must register with the Medicare and Medicaid services board. This is how a CNA becomes eligible to take on independent clients. There may be requirements to attend additional courses to master rules, regulations, and certain billing procedures. These courses usually instruct candidates on how to issue and manage contracts with government agencies. After registering with these boards, one can work with specialty agencies or seek out clients on their own to build their clientele.
CNAs can enjoy a rewarding career. Any compassionate person who enjoys interacting with people would enjoy working in this field. After working in the field for some time, one may find it beneficial to pursue self-employment, which requires registering with the Medicaid and Medicare boards before working with independent agencies.
