Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

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Description of a CNA

Under the supervision of a registered professional nurse, Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) perform a variety of nursing tasks listed on the Official CNA Skills List after they have satisfactorily demonstrated their ability to do so, e.g. taking temperature and pulse, monitoring food intake, urine output, changing bed linens, and assisting with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). 

CNA Work Settings and Populations Served

• Work with people of all ages and abilities who need nursing care and assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
• Can work in a hospital, nursing facility, and/or residential setting. i.e., assisted living.
• A CNA must be supervised by a registered professional nurse.

Hiring Requirements

A person may not be hired as CNA if that person has ever been:

• Convicted of a crime involving abuse, neglect or misappropriation of property in a health care setting
• The subject of a complaint involving abuse or neglect  or misappropriation of property if the complaint was substantiated by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services and entered on the CNA Registry
• Convicted within the last 10 years for sexual misconduct, or abuse, neglect or exploitation in a setting other than a health care setting
• Convicted within the last 10 years for a crime that was punishable by 3 or more years in prison

Be at least 16 years old

Can read and write English

Successfully complete the 180-hour CNA Training Program

Complete an orientation program conducted by your employer

Receive at least 12 hours of in-service training annually

CAREER

A person who is working as a CADC can move into the following positions with additional education:

Health Services:

• CNA-M
• LPN
• Medical Assistant
• Nursing Degree

Human Services:

• MHRT-I
• DSP
• CIPSS
• MHRT-C