Last Updated on October 13, 2023
The skills you list on your CNA resume will demonstrate to prospective employers that you’re the best-qualified person for the job. That’s why knowing which skills are going to make you stand out from the crowd is essential to landing your ideal position. We’re laying out the top 11 skills every CNA should include on their resume and detailing exactly why employers will be looking out for them.
Top Skills to Include on Your CNA Resume
1. Infection Control
One of the most important skills to include on your CNA resume is the ability to recognize diseases, and more importantly, reduce their spread. Documenting infections and symptoms, keeping track of any signs of improvement, and sterilizing areas well are all integral parts of a CNAs job.
2. Safety and Rehabilitation
On your resume, be sure to communicate that you’re equipped to help your patients with a speedy recovery. This could include encouraging patients to complete any physical workouts that will aid rehabilitation or observing potential risk factors that could slow them down.
3. Knowledge of Medical Terminology
CNA jobs require you to serve as the middleman between a doctor’s assessment and the patient, helping them to understand what their options look like. By having a mastery of even the most basic medical terminology, you’ll be able to assist with patient education and confidently make referrals to specialists.
4. Administrative Skills
A CNAs ability to cover administrative duties is something that employers look at very closely in nursing assistant resumes. Whether it’s filing paperwork, answering inquiries, or responding to calls, you need to ensure a clear flow of information and communication to the relevant parties.
5. Proper Hygiene
Demonstrating that you have the skills necessary to maintain hygiene is essential to protecting the health of your patients. This can include an understanding of protective equipment, and hand hygiene practices, as well as cleaning and bathing patients.
6. Administering Drugs
Doctors spend very little time with their patients, so it’s your role to ensure that the right drugs are administered at the right dosage, and at the right time. Whether it’s IV therapy, vaccinations, or assisting in surgery, employers want to know that you have these skills locked down.
7. Attention to Detail
CNA jobs are some of the most detail-oriented roles within the health sector. From filling out paperwork to understanding what dosage to serve a patient, a CNA needs attention to detail at all times. Not only must your actions be accurately executed, but an exemplary CNA resume also needs to show that you are observational enough to interpret details that aren’t immediately obvious.
8. Communication Skills
As a CNA you’ll need to be able to communicate key diagnoses and treatment plans to your patients in terms that they’ll understand. And it’s more than just verbal communication – report writing requires a high level of written communication, something that will be immediately obvious from how clearly you lay out your skills on your CNA resume. You’ll also need to be equipped to handle tough situations or work alongside difficult co-workers – all part of a successful nursing career!
9. Interpersonal Skills & Empathy
You’re looking after your patients when they’re at their most vulnerable. That’s why knowing how best to interact with people, and above all treat them with respect, is a vital element of CNA jobs. Employers will want to know that you’re delivering your care with respect and consideration for the feelings of others.
10. Consistency
Particularly with long-term patients, their recovery rests on a sustained high quality of care being delivered to them. In addition, uniform processes need to be carried out across your role when caring for your patients. This is why prospective employers need to know that they can trust you to deliver a consistent and continuous level of care to your patients, made even more efficient by great time management.
11. Multitasking
As you can see from the above skills you need to list on your CNA resume, there are a lot of moving parts within a nursing role. That’s why being able to talk about how you effectively and efficiently multitask couldn’t be more important.
Find Your Next CNA Position With CareerStaff
Looking for your next CNA job? Want a role that suits your schedule and desired income? At CareerStaff, we’ve got you covered. Check out our open CNA positions and apply today!