Unit 25
Certification
Trainee II
Once you have completed units 1-13 of your online didactic AND successfully completed skills class, you are considered a trainee II. A trainee II is qualified to be employed as an NA, giving you 120 days to pass your state exam. After 120 days, if you have not passed the state exam, you can no longer work as an NA until you have. You are given one year and 3 opportunities to pass the state exam before you are required to retake the entire CNA course again.
Certified Nurse Aide
After you have passed your state exam you are finally certified! After all that time, sweat, and tears your state exam will shut off and tell you that all those cram sessions have paid off and you passed! Unfortunately, there is little ceremony and the state won't even send you a congratulatory letter in the mail. What you can do is go to www.ksnurseaidregistry.orgLinks to an external site. and you can see your name listed as a Certified Nurse Aide and along side it will be your official CNA number! This number will follow you for as long as you work in Kansas.
What you need to know to maintain your certification:
As long as you are working as a CNA in Kansas AND your employer reports your status to state, you don't have to do anything to maintain your certification
You may need to request that your employer report your status to state, especially if you work for a small company or private care
In order to maintain your certification you must work a minimum of 8 hours in 2 years
If you have not worked 8 hours in 2 years your certification will lapse and you will have to take a 4 hour recertification class to renew (Allied does offer recertification classes)
Remember that if at any time you commit a prohibitive crime it will appear on the nurse aide registry
Every time a background check is run on you for employment as a CNA, the dates will appear on the nurse aide registry which gives potential employers a glimpse at your work history.
CNA Survival Kit
But what do you need to take care of yourself?
1. A pencil to remind you to list your blessings.
2. An eraser so you can make your mistakes disappear.
3. A rubber band to stretch yourself beyond your limits.
4. A string to tie things together when everything is falling apart.
5. A marble in case someone asks, “Have you lost your marbles?”
6. A stick of chewing gum to stick with it and accomplish anything.
7. A tea bag to remind you to relax and take a moment to breathe.
8. A candy kiss to remind you that someone, somewhere cares about you.
9. A toothpick to remind you to pick out the good qualities in people.
10. A Band-Aid to heal hurt feelings, whether yours or someone else’s.
This list is by Connie Jones, CNA.
http://scrubsmag.com/top-ten-things-youll-need-in-your-cna-survival-kit/
Interviewing
A Day in the Life of a CNA
Teamwork & Customer Service
LTC Chain of Command
LTC Departments
Long-term care facilities are made of several different departments in order to focus their efforts to specific tasks and responsibilities. Depending on what type of facility it is, these departments may be organized differently. For example, group homes may require the C.N.A. to not only provide for ADL's but also provide entertainment and activities, cook the meals, do the laundry, and clean. However, most larger long-term facilities divide these types of tasks into different departments. Each department will have their own department head and usually there are multiple employees in each department.
The Board- A small group of people often hired to make major financial or ethical decision for the sake of the long-term care facility. They usually only meet once a month. They oversee the administrator.
Administrative- The administrator oversees all of the departments and department heads in a facility. Also in the administrative department might be human resources (HR) who are in charge of hiring and recruitment for staff, staff benefits, and staffing conflicts. As well as an administrative assistant who provides secretarial and customer service. The social worker is also under the administrative department, ultimately in charge of ensuring the resident has the proper resources, essential supplies, and helping the resident and their family with navigating legal documents, Social Security, and Medicaid.
Nursing- This is the largest department in a long term care facility. It is overseen by a nurse that works under the administrator, usually a registered nurse. Titles may vary, but usually this person is called a Director of Nursing (DON). The DON oversees all aspects of the nursing department, determines budget allocation, hires staff, provides disciplinary measures, and creates policies and procedures amongst other things. Directly under the DON is the assistant director of nursing (ADON), the MDS coordinator, charge nurses, CMA's, and CNA's. Nursing is responsible for direct care of the residents, infection control, medications, and all medical or healthcare needs of the residents. Although there are many tiers above CNA in nursing, it is the charge nurse that is the CNA's direct supervisor.
Activities- This department is usually run by an activity director. They are responsible for the entertainment of the residents. They offer games, movies, crafts, outings, parties, and all things fun. They also work with individual residents to provide entertainment and distraction based on their specific preferences and special needs.
Dietary- This department is usually run by a dietary director who oversees cooks and dietary aids. They make up the menu, order food, and oversee the kitchen.
Housekeeping- This department is usually run by the head of housekeeping. They are responsible for cleaning the facility and laundry.
Maintenance- This department supervisor is usually called the head of maintenance. They are responsible for maintaining the building, small remodeling jobs, moving furniture, and small handyman-type jobs.
Chaplain Services- Rarely does a facility have their own chaplain, but if they do this person may be of a specific religion such as a priest, pastor, or rabbi, or a spiritual leader that is available to residents for basic spiritual needs not related to any specific religion. They are often there for comfort, prayer, and spiritual support for residents and family.