What the Job Description Looks Like for an STNA
If you’re considering becoming an STNA you might be wondering what the job will be like and what sorts of duties you’ll be handling. Understanding your job description helps you to be prepared for that first day.
Where You Work
You might work in a wide range of different types of situations during your time as an STNA. You might work in a rehabilitation center, a long-term care center, or even a hospital. STNAs also work in doctor’s offices, clinics, and assisted living centers, too. You might work with a home care company where you visit patients in their homes. Becoming a state tested nursing assistant is one option that allows you to have your pick of different settings in which you can use the skills you learn.
What You Do
No matter where you work, you’re going to be doing a lot of the same types of tasks. You’ll monitor patients, including their vital signs as well as other details, like how much they’re eating and drinking. Because you’ll be seeing the patient most often, the changes that you notice are often really important. You’ll also help patients to move around, you’ll help them to handle personal care tasks, and you’ll probably deal with a lot of random tasks as they pop up.
Who You Work with Daily
The people you’ll work closest with during each of your shifts are your patients. You’ll get to know them and the people who love them really well. It helps if you like people and talking to them. You’ll also work with nurses and doctors who will give you information that you need to take the best care possible of your patients. Depending on where you work, you may also work with a variety of other professionals, like social workers.
What Else You Need to Know
There’s so much that you need to know about being an STNA. Most of that you’ll learn in your classes and in the hands-on training you’ll do. You’ll also learn a lot as you go about your work. Every day is going to bring something slightly different to offer you new challenges.
It’s really important that if you’re considering becoming a state tested nursing assistant that you understand what your job is going to consist of on a regular basis. That’s going to help you to feel a little better about what you’re doing, especially if you want to use this as a steppingstone to the next stage in your medical career.
