Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) – Healthcare Workforce Partnership

🩺 Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs)

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) are essential members of the healthcare workforce, particularly in Western Massachusetts where the demand for elder care and disability support continues to grow. CNAs provide hands-on care and support for patients, often serving as the primary caregivers in long-term care and residential settings. This entry-level healthcare role is both rewarding and physically demanding.

CNAs may also be referred to as Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) depending on the healthcare setting, especially in hospitals where additional training may be required.

🩹 What CNAs Do

Certified Nursing Assistants typically:

Assist patients with personal care needs, including bathing, toileting, dressing, feeding, grooming, and mobility
Help move patients safely (e.g., transfers from beds to wheelchairs)
Monitor patients’ conditions and report changes to the nursing team
Support nurses in routine clinical care, including taking vital signs
Provide comfort, dignity, and emotional support to patients and their families
Work in rotating shifts, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays—offering flexibility and opportunities for shift differentials

💼 Where CNAs Work

CNAs are employed in a wide range of healthcare settings, including:

Skilled nursing facilities (nursing homes)
Assisted living centers
Hospitals (where the role may be titled Patient Care Technician and include additional duties)
Outpatient clinics and rehabilitation centers
Home health care agencies

➡ Job listings available at: MassHire Job Quest

🎓 Education and Training Requirements

To become a CNA in Massachusetts, candidates must:

Have a high school diploma or GED
Complete a state-approved certificate training program that includes coursework in healthcare terminology, safety, infection control, emergency procedures, patient rights, and hands-on care
Pass the Massachusetts Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation for certification
Free Training

📝 Many CNA programs also include Home Health Aide (HHA) training, allowing graduates to pursue additional employment options in home-based care.

🧠 Skills and Qualities for Success

Effective CNAs are:

Compassionate: Able to provide care with kindness and sensitivity
Reliable: Trusted to arrive on time and perform care consistently
Strong communicators: Able to relay critical information clearly to patients and the healthcare team
Physically capable: Able to lift, transfer, and support patients, and remain on their feet for long shifts
Detail-oriented: Able to monitor changes in a patient’s condition and follow protocols accurately

🧭 Professional Resources

Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) Nurse Aide Registry
Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs
MassHire Career Centers

🔄 Related Career Pathways

Becoming a CNA can be a stepping stone to other healthcare careers. With additional training or education, CNAs may transition into:

Updated: June 4, 2025