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A CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) is a common entry-level role in healthcare. So it’s not surprising that 200+ people search for a “CNA job description template” every month.
If you need help writing one of your own, in this blog you will find:
- A definition of CNA (Certified Nurse Assistant)
- A free JD template for a CNA (you can copy/paste!)
- 3 examples of CNA job descriptions (for inspiration)
Note: In Ongig, you can create (and store) custom templates to speed up your job description workflow. And make sure your JDs are bias free.
What is a CNA?
CNA is an acronym for Certified Nursing Assistant or Certified Nursing Aide.
A CNA is an entry-level member of a healthcare team who performs patient-centered tasks under the supervision of licensed nursing staff. A CNA is not a nurse but works very closely with nurses, physicians, and other healthcare professionals.
Free CNA Job Description Template [just copy & paste!]
Ready to start writing? The 3 examples of a CNA job description above are a great place to start — or try using this job description template for a CNA as your guide. I’ve listed examples so you can easily copy and paste.
JOB TITLE
[Here, include the word CNA and any other important title of the position]
Tip: Keep your job titles between 1-3 words and 20 syllables or less. This helps with SEO and makes them easier to read. For example, “CNA – Hospice Care” is better than “CNA attending to Hospice Care.”
JOB SUMMARY
[This is where you write a paragraph about the role.]
Tip: The CNA job summary should concisely explain the role. Since this is an assistant role, remember to include who they’ll be supervised by and any autonomy the role might have (this often increases job satisfaction). Check this example for inspiration:
“Certified Nurse Assistants (CNA’s) provide each resident with routine daily nursing care with care, compassion and respect. Our CNA’s are empowered to “do the right thing”, make sound independent decisions as they demonstrate patience, initiative and willingness to assist residents.”
ABOUT YOU
[This is where you talk about your CNA candidate.]
Include a sentence on:
- what the CNA will do
- some goals they will reach for
- how they work with the team (or other teams)
Tip: Use the CNA job descriptions above for inspiration.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
[Here is where you can list the day-to-day CNA job duties.]
Job duties may include:
- Attending to patient needs
- Moving patients around the facility
- Measuring and recording food or water intake
- Answering call buttons and alerting nurses to emergencies
Tip: Keep your “responsibilities” and “CNA job duties” lists short. Using more than 7 bullets might make candidates feel underqualified or overwhelmed.
YOUR REQUIREMENTS
[This section is where you list basic CNA qualifications and experience.]
Tip: Include your preferred requirements here or create a “Preferred Requirements” section if there are more than two.
SALARY
[List any perks your CNA will get if they join the team. And include the CNA salary information if you can.]
Tip: Even if it’s a range, list salary details. Salary is the #1 part of a job ad that is “helpful”, “appealing”, and makes candidates “more likely to apply”.
source: Vision Critical Heatmap Study of 450 LinkedIn Members, June 2018
BENEFITS
[List any perks your CNA will get if they join the team.]
Tip: Each benefit you include in a job ad increases the apply rate by 1% to 5%. The benefits with the most positive impact on apply rate are: Regular Incremental Bonus (+155.1%); Pet Insurance (+37%); Health Insurance (+29.8%); Stock Options/Employee Stock Purchase Plan (+27.5%); and 401(k) (+20.5%).
source: Appcast and Behavioral Scientist Ashley Whillans, PhD, Harvard Business School, 2018
OPTIONAL SECTIONS
[These are some optional sections you might use in your job description for a CNA.]
- travel requirements
- remote work policies
- disability accommodations
- how to apply
- mission statement
ABOUT US
[Here, you can talk about yourself!]
Some ideas to include:
- what type of healthcare you provide
- how great the company is
- your core values
Tip: I like to save the “About Us” section for the end (even though about 50% of JDs start with About Us). Instead, end your JD with the About Us. That way, you can START your JD about the candidate/role, making them feel valued.
DIVERSITY STATEMENT
[Most companies have an EEO or diversity statement. You can put yours here.]
Tip: Most candidates value seeing a D&I commitment. A diverse population of 764 LinkedIn members in the U.S. said “even a generic statement is still better than no statement.”
source: LinkedIn Study of 764 members on Diversity Statements, June 2021.
You’ll find more examples in our blog 25 Examples of Awesome Diversity Statements.
3 Examples of a CNA Job Description
Here are 3 examples you might find useful if you want to create your own CNA job description template:
1. CNA Job Description — Sunray Healthcare Center
2. Hospice CNA Job Description — Hospice of Holland
3. Patient Care CNA Job Description — Intermountain Healthcare
Why I wrote this?
Ongig’s mission is to create effective and inclusive job descriptions. This includes creating consistent (bias-free) templates to speed up your JD workflow. If you’d like a demo of our job description software, please request one today.
