How to hire CNA in the USA: A comprehensive guide
The certified nursing assistants are so important in the health sector. They take care of patients and assist them in their daily chores to make them feel comfortable. However, a health facility may face challenges when recruiting CNAs. This blog will take you through a step-by-step process to hire CNA professionals in the United States.
It would be great to know how CNAs spend their day before elaborating on the recruitment process. They help patients to accomplish the activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They also help them with general medical problems, track the well-being of their patients, and give emotional support, too. As the kind of work they are expected to do is sensitive and attention-demanding, it is important to recruit qualified and empathetic CNAs. If you are planning to hire a CNA, you need to know those roles so that you can find the best fit for your needs.
Step 1: Define your needs
The primary step in hiring a CNA is to define your requirements precisely. This would include the specific job they will be expected to perform, the number of CNAs you are hiring for, work hours, and the benefits your healthcare facility will offer for the position (if full-time). The more specific a candidate is about the job role, the more likely they will be interested in applying. You should also determine if your staffing need is short-term or long-term.
For instance, you may need to hire a CNA for a day due to an emergency or staff absence. A clear plan helps in deciding contract vs full-time options.
Hiring the right CNA can feel like a complex task, but staffing agencies can make it much more manageable. They specialize in matching skilled professionals to your specific needs, timelines, and budget. If you are wondering, how should I use a staffing agency to hire a CNA? You can share your requirements with the agency, and they will provide you with qualified candidates who meet your criteria, saving you time and ensuring quality care. It is an efficient, stress-free way to find the right person for the job.
Step 2: Write a detailed job description
A defined and well-written description is important for attracting qualified candidates. Be concise but detailed enough to reflect responsibilities and expectations. Highlight the patient population, such as the elderly or post-operative. Include whether the CNA will work under supervision or independently. Mention shift patterns clearly to avoid miscommunication. If there is any required specialization (like experience in memory care), include that too. A transparent job description increases the chances of finding the right CNA for hire
The job descriptions must include:
- Job title
- Duties and responsibilities
- Qualifications
- Skills
- Work hours
Job descriptions play an important role when looking for CNAs; they give a clear picture of the job to job seekers. So, always write clear information about what you are looking for while crafting the job description to hire a CNA. A detailed job description is attached below for your better understanding.
Step 3: Post your CNA job listing strategically
Once you are done with the detailed job description to hire a CNA, the next step is to post the job on the various platforms that help you to hire the right and broad candidates for your healthcare facility. Make sure the job post is consistent across platforms. Consider using visuals or testimonials to attract more applicants.
Sometimes, healthcare facilities need flexible staffing options without going through a long hiring process. In those cases, you might ask, can CNAs be hired on contract for hospitals? The answer is yes, staffing agencies will assist you to hire CNAs on a contract basis. You can outline your staffing needs, including whether you require full-time or contractual support, and the agency will match you with professionals who are ready to step in. It is a smart way to maintain quality care without overburdening your core staff.
The platform includes:
- Online job boards: Indeed, Monster, CareerBuilder. ZipRecruiter and Glassdoor are popular job postings for hiring CNAs.
- Healthcare job-specific sites: Healthcare staffing platforms will cater specifically to healthcare staffing; we offer a streamlined, cost-effective solution for healthcare facilities to hire top healthcare staff, including CNAs, on a contract basis or for head-hunting service for your full-time needs.
- Social media: LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter help you reach potential candidates.
- Local community colleges and CNA programs: Partner with educational institutions that offer CNA training programs.
Also read: The role of flexible staffing models in modern healthcare
Step 4: Screen applications
After the job posting, you will start receiving applications for the CNA role. To hire them, always see the application based on the qualifications and skills which is mentioned in the job description. Look for candidates who are relevant to the job description (experience, positive references, and so on).
Staffing platforms can guide your healthcare facility in streamlining this process by pre-screening candidates and ensuring they meet the requirements you outline for your healthcare facility.
Review their availability and flexibility, especially if you are looking to hire a CNA for a day. A robust screening process ensures fewer dropouts during onboarding. You may also consider candidates with prior experience in temporary assignments to match short-term needs effectively.
Step 5: Conduct interviews
Interviewing is the best way to judge whether a candidate will do well for the job. It gives you a chance to assess their personality, communication style, and confidence in real time. Ensure the interview setting is calm and welcoming, allowing the CNA to feel comfortable answering openly.
Always ask follow-up questions to dig deeper into their motivations and past behavior. Take notes during the interview to compare candidates fairly later.
Here are a few tips one can utilize to conduct an effective interview to hire a CNA:
- Prepare questions: Inquire about prior experience, why they wish to be a CNA, and how they behave when subjected to stressful conditions.
- Soft skills assessment: Watch for their ability to communicate with others, empathize with people, and work with groups.
- Scenario-based questions: Present scenario-based situations and explain what they would do if the scenario were to occur.
Step 6: Verify credentials
Ensure that the candidates possess valid certificates as a CNA. This is achieved by verifying credentials against state registries and checking on any disciplinary actions taken. Hiring companies comply through the automation of credential verification and the maintenance of updated records.
The credentialing process for hiring a CNA in healthcare settings should be handled with due diligence. Make sure licenses are active and certifications are renewed. Verifying credentials through staffing platforms helps ensure compliance and avoid legal pitfalls.
For example, in Washington, facilities can use the publicly accessible Washington State Board of Nursing Online to confirm certification status and check for abuse or neglect reports.
Also read: Tips to ensure a nurse assistant’s compliance while hiring
Step 7: Conduct background checks
Do comprehensive background checks to keep your patients safe and well. This involves a criminal background check, drug screening, and a reference check. Most staffing sites offer a one-stop shop in terms of recruitment services and background checks, thereby helping you recruit credible CNAs.
Also, consider verifying driving records if the CNA is expected to commute to patients’ homes. Look into past employment reliability and ensure there are no red flags. You might want to include social media checks where applicable to ensure a well-rounded vetting.
Step 8: Offer a competitive compensation package
To get the CNAs, ensure you provide a competitive compensation package. More than competitive compensation packages include provisions for benefits such as medical cover, time-off work, and possibilities of upward career movement that would be an advantage to the employee.
According to research on the BLS, it indicates that CNAs in the USA get paid $47,070 per year (California). Providing shift differentials or bonuses for weekend coverage is also attractive. Flexible working hours are a top priority for many CNAs. Adding support for continuing education can be a major pull factor for CNAs seeking career growth.
Annual salary of nursing assistants by state in the USA
Source: www.bls.gov
Step 9: Onboard and train new CNAs
Once you have selected the right candidates to hire CNAs, the onboarding process begins. Make the onboarding process seamless with a checklist. Include essential paperwork, shadowing opportunities, and briefings with supervisors.
This includes:
- Onboarding: They are familiarized with your facility’s rules and procedures
- Training: They get the relevant training for your facility, such as safety procedures and the appropriate care of the patients.
- Mentorship: In this step, assign experienced staff to work alongside recruits as they gain familiarity with their jobs.
Competitive pay and benefits are not just money but investments in the quality of care that your organization can deliver. It is a win-win for both talent attraction and retention, and a positive work environment delivery to create a healthy, productive working setting with excellent patient care.
Partner with a staffing platform for easier CNA hiring
If you are having trouble or difficulties in hiring CNAs, then consider a partnership with a staffing platform. They make it easier and allow you to have a pool of candidates who can fit your requirements while saving time and resources.
They do all the nitty-gritty work, from vetting candidates to interviews, so you can keep your attention on what counts: quality care. You may also be able to find the ideal candidate right on the spot due to their years of experience. Hiring processes for CNA professionals can go quite easily with a staffing platform.
Leveraging the MedSquirrels platform for hiring top CNA talent
MedSquirrels presents a streamlined way of staffing healthcare services; thus, it will be easy to hire a CNA. This can help you focus more on delivering care, as the platform can handle recruitment, credentialing, onboarding, and payroll. Here are the top features of our CNA hiring platform:
- Rapid recruitment: MedSquirrels offers you a pre-screened and quality candidate; you save time and effort as you hire a CNA.
- Quick onboarding: MedSquirrels can be beneficial in quick onboarding by bringing background verification for the easy transfer of a new employee.
- Credential verification: After placing any candidate, our system is set to ensure the candidate will possess all the necessary certificates and credentials, thus putting you at ease and entirely in full compliance with all the state regulations.
- Payroll management: Our system makes payroll and compliance with the hired contractors by keeping administrative tasks simple, while the payroll payment of your employees can be prompt with zero employer risks.
For a streamlined staffing experience, MedSquirrels has crafted three affordable hiring plans that fit your requirements. The Purple Plan is ideal for facilities that already have sourced a contractor but need help with credentialing, onboarding, payroll, and compliance. The Orange Plan combines recruitment with EOR/payrolling support, streamlining the full contract hiring process. Lastly, the Blue Plan is perfect for availing end-to-end recruitment services for full-time clinical and non-clinical roles.
The entire process of hiring CNAs in the USA involves the following steps: defining needs, creating job descriptions, posting jobs, screening applications, conducting interviews, verifying credentials, and onboarding. MedSquirrels can assist in streamlining the hiring process, facilitating compliance, and helping focus efforts on quality patient care. To learn more about MedSquirrels, book a free demo today.
FAQ's
What licensures and education are needed to hire a CNA?
A CNA must complete a state-approved training program, pass the NNAAP certification exam, and have up-to-date vaccinations due to direct patient contact.
How does hiring a CNA improve patient outcomes?
CNAs provide consistent care, assist with daily tasks, monitor vital signs, and offer emotional support, leading to better comfort and health for patients.
What is the average pay for a CNA in the U.S.?
The average annual salary for a CNA is around $36,760, with entry-level pay starting at $33,520 and experienced CNAs earning up to $44,192, depending on location and facility.
What types of healthcare facilities does MedSquirrels support?
MedSquirrels works with a wide range of healthcare facilities, including hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, clinics, and assisted living facilities across the U.S.
Is there flexibility to choose the CNA that fits our facility’s needs through MedSquirrels?
Absolutely. MedSquirrels allows you to review and curate CNA profiles to conduct interviews and choose the best fit for your team’s culture and patient care standards.
