15 CNA Skills: List for the Best Resume in 2024

Catching your employer's attention is a must. The best way to do it? Creating a fantastic CNA skills list on your resume! 

It will help you secure a position and stand out among other candidates. So, let’s look at top CNA skills for a modern resume. Promise, it won’t hurt one bit!

This guide will show you: 

• Top CNA skills needed for a great resume.
• The best way to improve your CNA resume skills.
• How to create a CNA skills list and include your CNA skills all over your resume.

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Read more guides from the healthcare industry:

• Nursing Resume
• Nursing Student Resume
• Nurse Practitioner Resume
• NICU Nurse Resume
• Labor and Delivery Nurse Resume

What Are Certified Nursing Assistant Skills?

Every CNA resume description for a job includes the most relevant skills required to impress the recruiters. But what exactly are those skills?

CNA skills combine technical and interpersonal skills essential for success in the healthcare field. These skills empower Certified Nursing Assistants to provide high-quality care and support to patients under the supervision of registered nurses or other healthcare professionals.

In other words, CNA skills are the foundation that allows healthcare professionals to deliver compassionate and effective aid in their recovery. Time to find out what exactly those skills are.

So, without further ado, let’s see what skills to put on a resume for a Certified Nursing Assistant.

Trying to ace a certified nursing assistant resume? Read our guide: CNA Resume Examples + How-to Guide

15 CNA Skills Examples

I’ve gathered the 15 most popular soft and hard skills examples for a CNA. However, always remember it’s essential to tailor your resume to the job description. Double-check the job ad before creating a skill section on your resume. You might find some extra information there.

Here are the must-have skills for a certified nursing assistant to help you land your desired job:

Attention to Detail

Attention to detail plays a crucial role in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of patient care. It signifies a commitment to preciseness and contributes to the overall quality of healthcare delivery. Attention to detail helps every nursing assistant to minimize errors and promote patient safety. Including this skill on your resume reassures potential employers that you’ll approach every aspect of your job with surgical precision.

Situations where attention to detail proves useful:

• Reviewing and documenting patient vital signs accurately
• Ensuring the correct dosage and administration of prescribed medications
• Noting patient condition changes and promptly reporting them to the healthcare team

Additional skills included within the attention to detail skill category:

• Accurate observation of patient symptoms and conditions
• Thorough documentation of patient care activities
• Precise execution of medical procedures and protocols

Knowledge of Medical Terminology

A comprehensive knowledge of medical terminology is essential for effective communication within the healthcare team. It allows you to collaborate seamlessly with other professionals and reduces the chance of misunderstandings. That leads to saving time and, sometimes, your patient. This skill is crucial in fast-paced healthcare environments where clear and precise communication is necessary.

Situations where knowledge of medical terminology proves useful:

• Effectively communicating with medical professionals using accurate terminology
• Understanding and interpreting medical records and physicians' orders accurately
• Providing clear and concise information to patients regarding their conditions and treatments

Additional skills included within the knowledge of medical terminology skill category:

• Ability to interpret and understand complex medical jargon
• Proficiency in using accurate medical terminology in communication
• Continuous learning and staying updated on medical terminology changes

Administrative Skills

Administrative skills contribute to the smooth operation of healthcare facilities and efficient patient care. This skill is highly valued by employers seeking CNAs who can navigate the administrative aspects of healthcare delivery while providing compassionate patient support. It positions you as a well-rounded professional capable of managing your role's clinical and organizational aspects.

Situations where administrative skills prove useful:

• Efficiently organizing and maintaining patient records and charts
• Scheduling and coordinating medical appointments and procedures for patients
• Managing administrative tasks such as billing, insurance claims, and patient admissions

Additional skills included within the administrative skills category:

• Efficient data entry and record-keeping
• Proficient use of healthcare management software
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities

Administering Medicine

Administering drugs allows you to contribute to patient care professionally. It also shows you’ve got experience as a certified nursing assistant. Employers look for CNAs with this skill, as it ensures that medication regimens are followed and carried out with precision. 

Situations where administering drugs proves useful:

• Safely preparing and administering medications as prescribed by healthcare providers
• Monitoring patients for any adverse reactions or side effects after drug administration
• Collaborating with the healthcare team to ensure accurate medication orders

Additional skills included within the administering drugs skills category:

• Knowledge of drug interactions and potential side effects
• Ability to calculate medication dosages accurately
• Adherence to safety protocols in medication administration

CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)

CPR is a life-saving skill highly valuable for CNAs, especially in emergencies. It helps you keep patients safe. Backing it with CPR certifications on a resume will help you stand out among competitors and boost your chances of getting hired. It also proves that you’re determined to conduct your duties well and that you keep learning new things. So this one skill can really have a great impact on your recruiter’s decision.

Situations where CPR proves useful:

• Responding promptly to emergencies such as cardiac arrest or respiratory distress
• Performing effective chest compressions and rescue breathing as needed
• Collaborating with other healthcare professionals during emergency situations

Additional skills to include within the CPR skills category:

• Regular CPR certification and training updates
• Quick and effective response to emergency situations
• Collaboration with emergency response teams

Managing Medical Records

Proficiency in managing medical records helps you with accurate documentation of patient information. It works well with your attention to detail skill. Including it in a resume positions you as a reliable professional capable of contributing to streamlined and effective healthcare services.

Situations where managing medical records proves useful:

• Accurately recording patient information, including medical history and vital signs
• Updating and maintaining electronic or paper medical records in compliance with regulations
• Ensuring the confidentiality and security of patient medical information

Additional skills to include within the managing medical records skills category:

• Familiarity with electronic health record (EHR) systems
• Attention to privacy regulations and confidentiality
• Accurate and timely documentation of patient information

Communication Skills

Effective communication is crucial in health care, which is a dynamic and sensitive environment. You must effectively and often efficiently communicate with patients, their families, and other workers. Emphasizing communication skills on your resume demonstrates your ability to convey medical information, provide emotional support, and foster positive patient interactions. It helps you improve patient satisfaction and overall healthcare experience. 

Situations where communication skills come in handy:

• Effectively communicating with patients to provide information and address concerns
• Collaborating with the healthcare team through clear and concise verbal and written communication
• Updating family members on the patient's condition and treatment plan

Additional skills to include within the communication skills category:

• Clear and empathetic communication with patients
• Effective communication within the healthcare team
• Proficient use of communication tools, including electronic messaging systems

Interpersonal Skills

Connecting with patients, families, and colleagues won’t be effective without interpersonal skills. They are more than your communication skills; they also show your attitude toward your speaker and your ability to interact with others, also non-verbally. This skill can easily prove your empathy and patient-centered care. 

Here are some situations where your interpersonal skills come in handy:

• Establishing trust with patients and their families
• Collaborating with colleagues, nurses, and other healthcare professionals
• Respecting the diverse cultural and emotional needs of patients

And here are some additional things to mention when talking about your interpersonal skills:

• Empathy and sensitivity to diverse patient needs
• Collaboration with colleagues to create a positive work environment
• Cultural competence in patient interactions

Time Management

You need great time management to organize your work properly. Otherwise, you won’t be able to determine the right time allocation to various patient care responsibilities. This skill lets you correctly prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and deliver high-quality care within established timeframes. And that’s essential in the fast-paced nature of the healthcare industry. 

Here are some situations where your time management skills come in handy:

• Prioritizing and managing tasks efficiently in a fast-paced healthcare environment
• Adapting to changes in patient needs or emergencies without compromising care
• Ensuring timely completion of administrative responsibilities and patient care tasks

And here are some additional things to mention when talking about your time management skills:

• Prioritization of tasks based on urgency and importance
• Efficient allocation of time for patient care and administrative duties
• Adaptability to changing schedules and priorities

Problem-Solving

Problem-solving skills help you address challenges and adapt to dynamic healthcare situations. It also helps you think critically and make informed decisions, impacting your patients’ well-being. Showing it on a resume proves you can work under pressure with unexpected issues and find practical solutions. And you’re ready to overcome challenges, which is a great trait.

Here are some situations where your problem-solving skills come in handy:

• Identifying and addressing challenges in patient care promptly
• Collaborating with the healthcare team to develop solutions for complex medical issues
• Making informed decisions to ensure the well-being of patients

And here are some additional things to mention when talking about your problem-solving skills:

• Critical thinking in assessing and addressing patient issues
• Collaborative problem-solving with the healthcare team
• Continuous improvement in patient care processes

Empathy

According to Harvard’s article, empathy is one of the most desirable things patients seek in healthcare. It allows you to understand and feel for them without judging their behaviors. This leads to an increase in trust from your patients. Providing not only physical but also emotional support is highly beneficial. Empathy positions you as a caring, understanding, and sensitive professional. These qualities are hard to train, so having them on a resume is a huge benefit!

Here are some situations where your empathy comes in handy:

• Providing emotional support to patients and families during difficult times
• Acknowledging and understanding the emotional needs of patients facing health challenges
• Demonstrating compassion and empathy in all aspects of patient care

And here are some additional things to mention when talking about your empathy:

• Compassionate and patient-centered care
• Ability to understand and validate patient emotions
• Building trusting relationships with patients and their families

Infection Control

Maintaining a sterile and safe atmosphere is crucial in many healthcare facilities. Preventing the spread of infections, implementing proper hygiene practices, and adhering to safety protocols can all be combined into one skill called infection control. It’s impressive as it contributes to patient safety, minimizes the risk of infections, and aligns with regulatory standards. 

Here are some situations where infection control comes in handy:

• Following strict protocols to prevent the spread of infections within healthcare settings
• Implementing proper hand hygiene and personal protective measures
• Educating patients and families on infection prevention practices

And here are some additional things to mention when talking about infection control:

• Adherence to infection prevention protocols
• Strict compliance with hand hygiene and sanitation practices
• Education of patients and families on infection control measures

Wound Care

Putting proficiency in wound care on a resume demonstrates your ability to contribute to the healing process, which ensures optimal patient well-being. Your knowledge of proper wound cleaning, dressing changes, and vigilant monitoring for signs of infection is life-saving. By showcasing expertise in wound care, a CNA communicates their dedication to providing specialized care for patients with various medical conditions. This enhances effectiveness in direct patient care and contributes to healthcare delivery's overall quality and efficiency.

Here are some situations where wound care comes in handy:

• Assessing and treating various types of wounds, considering individual patient needs
• Collaborating with the healthcare team to develop comprehensive wound care plans
• Monitoring and documenting the progress of wound healing

And here are some additional things to mention when talking about wound care:

• Proficiency in assessing wound severity and type
• Collaboration with wound care specialists and nurses
• Continuous learning of advanced wound care techniques

Geriatric Care

As a significant portion of patients in healthcare settings are elderly, expertise in senior care is a popular and valuable asset for any CNA. Adding geriatric care skills to your resume demonstrates your understanding of the unique healthcare needs of older adults. Showing you can provide specialized and compassionate care to the aging population will impress your recruiter and boost your chances of securing a job interview.

Here are some situations where geriatric care comes in handy:

• Providing specialized care to meet the unique needs of elderly patients
• Assisting with mobility and addressing age-related health concerns
• Collaborating with the healthcare team to enhance the quality of life for elderly patients

And here are some additional things to mention when talking about geriatric care:

• Understanding of age-related health conditions
• Patience and compassion in caring for elderly patients
• Ability to address the unique needs and preferences of older adults

Palliative Care

Providing comprehensive and compassionate care for terminally ill patients is a remarkable trait. It involves offering emotional support during challenging times and ensuring the comfort and dignity of patients. Showing it on a resume will prove your experience, willingness, strong character, empathy, technical competency, and understanding of the profound moments in patient care.

Here are some situations where palliative care comes in handy:

• Offering comfort-focused care to terminally ill patients
• Providing emotional support and addressing the unique needs of patients and their families
• Collaborating with the healthcare team to ensure a compassionate and dignified end-of-life care experience

And here are some additional things to mention when talking about palliative care:

• Emotional intelligence in providing comfort-focused care
• Communication skills for discussing end-of-life preferences with patients and families
• Collaboration with hospice and palliative care specialists

As you can see, there are some important soft skills on my CNA skills checklist. Read more about them: What Are Soft Skills

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How to Learn Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Skills:

Becoming a proficient certified nursing assistant means you must continue to learn and develop your skills. Especially, because the healthcare area is, luckily, still improving. New ways of doing things are constantly being discovered, tested, and implemented. 

To stay ahead of your competitors, you must enhance your CNA skills. Here’s how to do it:

Formal Education and Training Programs

Enrolling in accredited CNA programs will allow you to receive comprehensive education and hands-on training that can easily be included in the education section of your resume, making it more remarkable. 

Plus, participating in workshops and seminars offered by healthcare institutions or educational organizations shows that you want to learn more and are willing to devote extra time.

Clinical Practice and Real-World Application

Gaining practical experience by working in clinical settings, nursing homes, or assisted living facilities will work miracles in your work experience resume section. If you do some volunteer work, include it on a resume, as it greatly shows your empathy. 

This practical experience will help you apply your skills to real-world scenarios, dealing with diverse patient needs and healthcare challenges. And practice always beats theory, also on your recruiter’s desk.

Professional Networking and Community Engagement

Connecting with other nursing assistants and healthcare professionals by joining industry-related communities will allow you to learn and find work opportunities. Sharing experience and knowledge is valuable, and proving you’re informed and up to date on your resume is vital to convince employers to invite you for a job interview.

Learn more about different sections of your resume. Visit our guide: Perfect Resume Structure for 2024

How to Include CNA Skills on a Resume:

Let’s talk about how you can show all those CNA skills we’ve discussed here on your resume. After all, that’s your initial goal: to highlight them well enough to convince your hiring manager to invite you for a job interview. But after you’ve done all that, you must do one more thing. Make your resume stand out by properly showing them all.

Here’s how to showcase your CNA skills on a resume:

• Build your resume with bullet points. That will boost your document’s readability and allow you to include more relevant information.
• Start each bullet point with a resume action verb. That’s how you make it more impactful and interesting to read.
• Use concrete examples. Specific instances where you applied your CNA skills in professional settings show your professionalism.
• Speak about impressive achievements and not only your duties. What you’ve accomplished is what distinguishes you from the next candidate.
• Quantify the outcome of your work. Using numbers to show the results of your work is impressive, especially if done in percentages.
• List up to 10 skills. Remember to make them as relevant to the job offer as possible. Use the job ad, the company’s website, and social media to see what will help you to make a targeted resume.

Pro Tip: The CNA skills test is a part of getting certified as a CNA. You demonstrate nursing skills to an examiner. Passing this test gets you your CNA certification. It includes both a skills test and a written test.

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:

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Key Takeaways

Before you go, let’s have a quick summary:

• CNA job description skills encompass a blend of compassionate patient care, medical knowledge, and effective communication.
• Continuous learning, hands-on experience, and engagement with the healthcare community might help you become an even better professional.
• Your skills, if shown correctly on a resume, will position you as a top candidate dedicated to providing quality patient care in the dynamic healthcare field.

About Zety’s Editorial Process

This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

Sources

• University of Southern California, "The Importance of Communication in Health Care and Tips to Improve"
• Harvard Medical School, "Trends in Medicine: Building Empathy into the Structure of Health Care"
• Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on the Future Health Care Workforce for Older Americans, "Retooling for an Aging America: Building the Health Care Workforce"