Acute Care CNA Job Description [Updated for 2025]

In the fast-paced world of healthcare, the need for Acute Care Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) has never been more critical.

As healthcare challenges evolve, so does the demand for skilled professionals who can provide immediate, high-quality care and support in acute care settings.

But what’s truly expected from an Acute Care CNA?

Whether you are:

A job seeker looking to understand the nuances of this role,
A hiring manager outlining the perfect candidate,
Or simply interested in the day-to-day responsibilities of an Acute Care CNA,

You’ve come to the right place.

Today, we present a customizable Acute Care CNA job description template, designed for easy posting on job boards or career sites.

Let’s dive right in.

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Acute Care CNA Duties and Responsibilities

Acute Care Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) provide critical support to medical staff in acute care settings such as hospitals.

They have a direct impact on patient health and recovery, offering bedside care and assisting with daily activities.

The main duties and responsibilities of an Acute Care CNA include:

Assist with basic patient care activities including bathing, grooming, feeding, and mobility
Monitor vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and respiration rate
Collect samples for lab testing as instructed
Document patient information and update patient charts
Communicate with patients and their families, answering their questions and addressing their concerns
Assist nurses and other medical staff with procedures and treatments
Ensure patient rooms are clean, sanitized, and stocked with necessary supplies
Assist patients with physical therapy exercises
Observe and report changes in patient condition or behavior

Acute Care CNA Job Description Template

Job Brief

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) for our Acute Care department.

The Acute Care CNA will assist patients with daily activities, monitor vital signs, and provide care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).

The ideal candidate is empathetic, patient, and has excellent communication skills.

Knowledge of basic health care tasks, understanding of patient care principles, and a commitment to provide exceptional patient care are essential to this role.

Responsibilities

Assist patients with daily living activities such as bathing, grooming, and meal preparation
Monitor and record patient vitals like blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, and respiration
Report any changes in patient’s health status to the nursing staff
Help patients with mobility needs, transfers and transportation within the facility
Perform basic nursing procedures like changing dressings and wound care
Ensure patient rooms are kept clean and sanitized
Support patient’s emotional and physical comfort
Follow all health and safety protocols and procedures

Qualifications

Completion of a state-approved CNA certification training course
Current CNA license in the state of employment
Previous experience in an acute care setting preferred
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Physical stamina to perform job responsibilities over long shifts
Ability to work in a fast-paced, stressful environment
Basic computer skills for data entry

Benefits

Health, dental and vision insurance
401(k) retirement plan
Paid time off
Tuition reimbursement
Continuing education opportunities

Additional Information

Job Title: Acute Care CNA
Work Environment: This role involves direct patient care in a hospital setting. It requires long periods of standing, as well as lifting and moving patients. The environment can be emotionally demanding as well.
Reporting Structure: Reports to the Charge Nurse or Nursing Director.
Salary: Salary is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
Pay Range: $25,090 minimum to $37,619 maximum
Location: [City, State] (specify the location or indicate if remote)
Employment Type: Full-time
Equal Opportunity Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
Application Instructions: Please submit your resume, a copy of your CNA certification, and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and experience to [email address or application portal].

What Does an Acute Care CNA Do?

Acute Care CNAs, also known as Certified Nursing Assistants, primarily work in high-paced healthcare settings like hospitals and acute care centers.

They can also find employment in nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and home healthcare.

Their primary role is to provide basic care to patients, assist them in daily activities they might have trouble with on their own, such as bathing, eating, and dressing.

They are often in charge of taking vital signs like temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate, and blood pressure.

Acute Care CNAs closely work with registered nurses (RNs) and medical staff to monitor patients’ health and report any significant changes.

They may also assist with medical procedures and collecting samples for lab tests.

In addition to physical support, Acute Care CNAs offer emotional support to patients, providing a comforting presence and a listening ear.

They are also responsible for maintaining clean and safe environments, changing bed linens, and ensuring that patients’ rooms are properly sanitized.

With their hands-on patient care, Acute Care CNAs are often the first line of communication between patients and nurses or doctors, playing a crucial role in the healthcare team.

Their observations and direct care are vital to improving patient outcomes, making them an indispensable part of the patient’s healthcare journey.

Acute Care CNA Qualifications and Skills

An Acute Care Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) should have the skills and qualifications that align with the demanding nature of the job, such as:

Strong clinical skills to provide direct patient care in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent knowledge of emergency care procedures and patient safety protocols.
Communication skills to effectively interact with patients, families, and healthcare teams.
Ability to observe and record patient behavior, vital signs, and any symptoms that could indicate a change in their condition.
Physical stamina and agility required to assist patients with moving, walking, and positioning.
Skills in basic wound care, collection of non-invasive body fluid specimens, and infection control precautions.
Interpersonal skills to connect with patients of different age groups, health conditions and backgrounds, providing them with comfort and emotional support.
Experience in operating medical equipment and machinery as per the patient’s needs and doctor’s instructions.
Ability to respond effectively to critical situations using problem-solving skills.

Acute Care CNA Experience Requirements

To be an Acute Care Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), candidates usually need to complete a state-approved CNA training program, which includes both classroom instruction and clinical training.

This can provide them with a basic level of experience in nursing care.

Often, they are required to have at least 1 to 2 years of experience in a clinical setting, often gained through internships or part-time roles in hospitals, nursing homes, or other healthcare facilities.

Candidates with more than 3 years of experience likely have developed a deeper understanding of patient care and have honed their skills in providing care for patients with acute conditions.

These CNAs might have experience in specialized departments such as the Emergency Room, Intensive Care Unit, or Surgical Unit.

Those with more than 5 years of experience might have some supervisory or leadership experience in their background.

They might have worked as a lead CNA or in a role coordinating the work of other CNAs and healthcare professionals, preparing them for roles such as Acute Care CNA Supervisor or Team Lead.

Some acute care facilities may require their CNAs to have specific experience with certain conditions or types of care, such as geriatric care, cardiac care, or wound care.

In these cases, CNAs may need additional training or certification in these specialized areas.

Acute Care CNA Education and Training Requirements

Acute Care Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) typically require a high school diploma or the equivalent, followed by a state-approved CNA training program, which usually takes 4 to 12 weeks to complete.

These programs provide training in areas such as anatomy, physiology, infection control, and medical terminology.

In addition, they also provide practical training under the guidance of experienced healthcare professionals in a clinical setting.

After completing the training program, candidates must pass a competency examination to become certified.

This examination includes both a written test and a practical skills evaluation.

Every state requires CNAs to obtain a certification before they can work.

Work certification criteria may vary by state but generally require that the candidate is at least 18 years old, has completed a state-approved CNA training program, and has passed the state competency exam.

Many CNAs choose to further specialize in acute care, which requires additional training and experience in an acute care setting, such as a hospital.

Continuing education is crucial in this field due to the constant developments in healthcare practices and procedures.

Therefore, acute care CNAs often participate in ongoing training throughout their careers.

This not only improves their skills and knowledge but also enables them to provide the highest quality of care to their patients.

Acute Care CNA Salary Expectations

An Acute Care Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) earns an average salary of $32,060 (USD) per year.

However, the salary can fluctuate depending on factors such as the level of experience, specific qualifications, and the geographic location of the job.

Acute Care CNA Job Description FAQs

What is the difference between an Acute Care CNA and a regular CNA?

While both Acute Care CNAs and regular CNAs provide basic care to patients, the key difference lies in the setting they work in and the acuteness of the patients’ conditions.

Acute Care CNAs usually work in hospitals, where they deal with short-term patients having severe health issues or those recovering from surgeries.

On the other hand, regular CNAs typically work in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes or assisted living.

What qualifications are needed to become an Acute Care CNA?

Acute Care CNAs must have a high school diploma or equivalent.

They must also complete a state-approved CNA program, which usually takes 4-12 weeks.

After completing the program, they need to pass a state competency exam to get certified.

Special training or certification in acute care can give them an edge in getting hired.

What skills should an Acute Care CNA possess?

An Acute Care CNA should have strong interpersonal skills as they will be interacting with patients and their families.

They should also have excellent observation skills to monitor patients’ conditions and report changes to the nursing staff.

In addition, they should be physically fit as the job often requires heavy lifting and long hours on their feet.

They should also be able to handle emergency situations and have a good understanding of medical terminology.

What are the daily duties of an Acute Care CNA?

Daily duties of an Acute Care CNA include assisting patients with daily activities like bathing, eating, and moving around.

They also measure vital signs, change linens, and help with medical procedures.

They monitor patients’ conditions and report changes to the nursing staff.

Acute Care CNAs also perform basic nursing procedures under the supervision of registered nurses.

What qualities make a good Acute Care CNA?

A good Acute Care CNA is compassionate, patient, and emotionally stable.

They should be able to handle stressful situations and provide emotional support to patients and their families.

They should also be detail-oriented and have excellent problem-solving skills to provide effective patient care.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills are also crucial as they need to work closely with medical staff and interact with patients regularly.

Conclusion

And there you have it.

Today, we’ve unpacked the ins and outs of being an Acute Care CNA.

And guess what?

It’s not just about providing medical assistance.

It’s about delivering patient-focused care, one patient at a time.

With our comprehensive Acute Care CNA job description template and real-world examples, you’re ready to take the plunge.

But why stop there?

Dig deeper with our job description generator. It’s your next step towards crafting precise job listings or perfecting your resume to the tee.

Remember:

Every patient interaction is a part of the bigger health care picture.

Let’s shape that future. Together.

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Acute Care CNA Job Description [Updated for 2025]

Acute Care CNA Duties and Responsibilities