CNA Job Description for a Resume: Examples and How-To
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Describing your experience as a certified nursing assistant is a tightrope. It’s a demanding job that requires a mix of physical and emotional skills. At the same time, some day-to-day duties may seem less than glamorous.
How do you write your CNA job description for a resume in the best light possible? Here’s a guide specifically for you, with examples to boot. All without violating HIPAA.
This guide will show you:
- CNA job description examples that you can use in your own CNA resume.
- Ways to describe your CNA work experience on a resume to highlight your strengths.
- Tips to create a CNA job description for a resume you can follow easily.
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Looking for a guide on how to write a complete CNA resume, with examples? Check out: CNA Resume Sample
You might find other medical-related guides helpful:
- Patient Care Technician Resume Sample
- Home Health Aide Resume Sample
- Dental Hygienist Resume Sample
- Nursing Student Resume Sample
- ICU Nurse Resume Sample
- Registered Nurse Resume Sample
- Med-Surg Nurse Resume Sample
- Operating Room Nurse Resume Sample
- Charge Nurse Resume Sample
- Pediatric Nurse Resume Sample
- Free Resume Examples for All Professions
Now let’s see some prime examples to get you started.
10+ CNA Job Description Examples for a Resume
CNA Job Description for a Resume
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Montgomery Care Center, Birmingham, AL
January 2018–May 2020
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities
- Provided preventative care to residents to manage skin-related conditions such as pressure ulcers.
- Built long-lasting professional relationships with residents, family members, and team members.
- Monitored patient stability by checking vital signs and weight, and recording intake information.
- Administered therapeutic treatments, non-sterile dressings, ice packs and baths.
Key Achievements
- Received Caregiver of the Month award for excellent patient care in November 2019.
Certified Nursing Assistant Description for a Resume
Certified Nursing Assistant
Grand Oak Care Facility, Bismarck, ND
July 2017–Present
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities
- Follow individualized care plans for 70+ residents by working closely with nursing staff.
- Provide safe bedside care and support to residents in a 200-bed facility.
- Assist patients with daily activities including eating, dressing, ambulating, etc.
- Establish a special connection with residents through empathy and relationship building techniques.
Key Achievements
- Implemented an improved CNA care procedure that reduced clerical errors by 20%.
Nursing Home CNA Job Description for a Resume
Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Lake Tahoe Rehabilitation Center, Lake Tahoe, UT
April 2019–March 2020
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities
- Helped residents with moving, walking, personal hygiene, eating and other daily activities.
- Checked on residents routinely to make sure their needs and preferences were being met.
- Administered prescribed medications to residents according to personal health care plans.
- Delivered passionate support and assistance to residents and their families.
Key Achievements
- Received commendation for 99.8% consistency in updating patient’s charts.
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Private Duty CNA Job Description for a Resume
Certified Nursing Assistant
Hyacinth Clinic, Raleigh, NC
September 2016–May 2020
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities
- Assisted residents with their daily activities (ADLs) including social programs and meals.
- Helped maintain a high standard of care for residents by answering call lights and monitoring behavior for signs of progress or regress.
- Contributed to the care of the ward by recording information on charts to communicate with all medical team members.
- Applied dressings and non-medicated treatments under the supervision of medical professionals.
Key Achievements
- Mentored 10+ new hires to meet Hyacinth’s high standards of person-driven care.
CNA Job Description for a Hospital Resume
Nursing Assistant (CNA)
George County General Hospital, Waco, TX
November 2014–March 2020
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities
- Assisted patients with ADLs during inpatient and outpatient stays.
- Recorded the condition, pulse, blood pressure, and temperature of patients on a regular basis.
- Turned and repositioned bedridden patients to prevent bedsores and maintain skin health.
- Created an atmosphere of warmth, enthusiasm, and positive energy for the patients.
Key Achievements
- Received 96% positive feedback from patients based on a post-care survey.
Long Term Care Facility CNA Job Description for a Resume
Nurse Aid (CNA)
Griffin Senior Living, Palm Beach, FL
October 2019–February 2020
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities
- Transported residents safely around the facility, including trips to dining areas.
- Provided emotional support to residents and their close friends and family.
- Maintained and stocked equipment and supplies to reduce costs through excellent organization.
- Retained confidentiality of all patients by closely following HIPAA guidelines.
Key Achievements
- Responded to up to 25 calls a shift in an orderly manner to provide excellent care.
Mental Health CNA Job Description for a Resume
Certified Nursing Assistant
Westview Health Care, Indianapolis, IN
January 2018–Present
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities
- Assist patients with activities of daily living specific to age, gender, culture and developmental level.
- Serve as patients’ main caregiver and effectively communicate between patients, nurses, doctors and families.
- Assist nurses with duties such as answering calls, relaying messages, transcribing physician orders and organizing patients’ medical records.
- Provide emotional support to patients and their families to create a positive care environment.
Key Achievements
- Received health care facility award of excellence as part of a 15-person team of nursing assistants.
Med Tech CNA Job Description for a Resume
Certified Nursing Assistant
Lakeland Rehabilitation Center, St. Louis, MO
May 2017–March 2020
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities
- Delivered educational information, support and basic first aid to patients with a team of medical professionals.
- Provided daily living assistance to up to 20+ patients per shift.
- Advised patients on the effects of medications and therapeutic programs.
- Completed tests for patients including vital signs, blood glucose checks, and others and notified nursing staff of significant changes.
Key Achievements
- Implemented a revised care guideline that increased patient satisfaction by 24%.
Clinical CNA Job Description for a Resume
Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Meadowview Medical Clinic, Los Angeles, CA
December 2017–Present
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities
- Observe patients' physical, mental, and emotional conditions to report any changes to the Charge Nurse.
- Work collaboratively with the 30+ team of nursing staff to address the needs of patients and ensure all supplies and equipment are available and ready for patient encounters.
- Provide high quality care to patients by carrying out daily assistance in a timely manner.
- Respond promptly to all call lights and requests from patients.
Key Achievements
- Taught a training course in person-driven CNA care to groups of 10+ nursing students.
Surgical Oncology CNA Job Description for a Resume
Certified Nursing Assistant
Fountain Valley Community Hospital, Arlington, VA
September 2013–December 2019
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities
- Reported changes in resident’s post-surgical recovery such as physical condition, vital signs, and behavior to the nursing staff.
- Sterilized and prepared medical tools and equipment used in surgery.
- Assisted surgeons and nursing staff with examination and treatments of patients.
- Followed plan of care for residents and provided compassionate care.
Key Achievements
- Nominated by direct supervisor for CNA of the Year Award.
How to Write an Effective CNA Job Description for Resume
Here are two facts working in your favor—Nursing assistants are both incredibly important and in high demand. CNAs are the primary source of contact for most residents in care facilities. And fortunately, employment is expected to grow faster than average as more and more baby boomers reach old age. High demand means better opportunities for you—if you can knock your experience section out of the park. Follow these guidelines to write the perfect CNA job description:
1. Make the section heading easy to find.
Use one of the following headers for your job description section: Experience, Work Experience, Work History, Employment History. Bold or CAPITAL letters will draw the HR manager’s eyes like a neon sign.
2. Order your job description section correctly.
Place your CNA job description section at the top, right below your resume summary, if you already have related experience. If you’re writing a resume with no work experience, place it below your education section (or your CNA certification).
3. List CNA job descriptions on your resume in reverse-chronological order.
List your current or most recent job first and then work backwards from there.
4. Make each entry orderly and readable.
Put your job title, company name, location, and dates of employment at the top of every CNA job description.
5. Use up to 5 bullet points for each job.
Use each job description to highlight your achievements on a resume, not to list your duties and responsibilities. Your current job description should be the most extensive, and as you go back in time, list fewer bullet points with only the most important duties and achievements.
Read more: How Far Back Should a Resume Go
6. Tailor your CNA job description to the job posting.
Don’t list your CNA job responsibilities like a list of groceries. Use each bullet point as a chance to show how you meet the requirements from the specific job ad you’re applying for.
7. Begin each bullet with action verbs.
Use resume action verbs, such as created, contributed, assisted, performed, etc., to impress the CNA hiring manager.
8. Add a “Key Achievement” subsection.
Recruiters are crunched for time. Use a key achievement to grab their attention and make yourself unforgettable. Better yet, use the Problem-Action-Result (PAR) method to show your capabilities.
Read more: Work Experience on a Resume
The CNA job description section alone won’t get you the CNA job you’re looking for. Here’s what else you need to include in a resume:
- Pick the ideal format for your resume. In most cases, the chronological resume layout works best as it displays your work experience and accomplishments front and center.
- Use a professional profile to give your elevator pitch. If you have 2+ years of experience, choose a resume summary. If not, a resume objective will land you entry-level positions.
- Describe your previous experience vividly, with examples that demonstrate you went above and beyond your day-to-day duties. Highlight achievements and start each bullet with action verbs like directed, implemented, performed, etc.
- List your professional certifications and licenses below your experience to show off your CNA certification and any additional training programs you’ve completed.
- Leave space for your job skills (soft skills, hard skills, and technical skills), especially nursing skills that are most important to the healthcare environment (short-term, long-term, memory care, etc.) you’re applying for.
- Be memorable by adding extra sections to your resume: language skills, achievements and awards, volunteer experience, and hobbies and interests.
Read more: How to Build a Resume
Remember to attach a CNA cover letter to your resume. For more tips, read our in-depth guide on how to write a cover letter.
Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:
See more cover letter templates and start writing.
That does it! Do you have any questions about writing a CNA job description for a resume? Or any tips of your own to share? Leave them below in the comment section and we’ll be sure to get back to you!
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