Tweet: A certified nursing assistant (CNA) works under the direction of a licensed nurse—registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN).

A certified nursing assistant (CNA) works under the direction of a licensed nurse—registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN). CNAs do not perform nursing duties, but rather assist with healthcare related tasks and act as a liaison between patients and nurses. There are two levels: CNA 1 and CNA 2. Both require state certification; however, should one desire to work in a hospital setting, a CNA 2 certification is required. CNAs work in a variety of healthcare settings and are responsible for taking vital signs, height and weight measurements, assisting with bathing, toileting, dressing needs, and other daily care needs that an individual may require assistance with.

You’ve decided you want to start a career in healthcare, but with all of the the many options available you may be unsure about which path to take. In this post we’re going to focus on the perks of one specific healthcare career, and that’s medical coding. Medical coders play an integral role in healthcare and are relied upon to translate physician notes into regulated medical codes for physicians and for insurance reimbursement. A medical coder must sift through and decipher medical jargon, physician handwriting, and complex cases to ensure the correct ICD codes are assigned in order to provide the best fiscal outcomes for patients and medical facilities.

Every 43 seconds, someone in the U.S. experiences a heart attack, many of which can result in fatal cardiac arrest. Considering the fact that the Obama Administration started the Million Hearts initiative five years ago, setting the goal to prevent 1 million strokes and heart attacks by 2017, it's no surprise that late last month, President Obama officially proclaimed February 2016 American Heart Month. He also strongly encouraged people to participate in National Wear Red Day (Feb. 5) to share love and support for those struggling with heart disease.

Jessica Larsen has a dream of someday becoming a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Today she is one giant leap closer to her dream thanks to her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) 1 and 2 training at PCC CLIMB.

Updated Dec. 22, 2022

Updated June 8, 2022

There's something especially rewarding about careers that allow you not just to make a living, but help people as well. That’s the precise reason why many people choose to work in healthcare. But you don’t have to work as a doctor, there are plenty of other jobs in healthcare where you can make a difference.

There are a wide variety of technicians and support staff that work hard day-in and day-out to support their fellow medical professionals. Here we’ll take a look at a day in the life of a sterile processing technician as one example of an important healthcare career that you may not be familiar with.

Illness — acute or chronic — or injuries can interrupt life dramatically. The rise and fall of emotions in reaction to an illness, injury, or surgery can create instability, numbness, and a sense of hopelessness. A cancer diagnosis can take a person through dozens of emotions in a single minute. Fear of the unknown, loss of control, confusion, grief, anger, depression, and anxiety can hit hard. Who will be there to help this person during this surreal and scary time?

As a healthcare professional, your communication skills need to be stellar and a top priority. Good communication skills are required by ALL healthcare professionals, not just by the social workers and psychologists. Active listening, responding appropriately to patient’s needs and concerns, properly assessing body language, and possessing a non-judgmental attitude are all necessary skills that healthcare workers need to possess. The importance of communication in the healthcare industry can help prevent injuries and death, increase trust between the patient and the caregiver, and strengthen relationships with other staff members. This post will discuss how communication can save lives in healthcare and increase success on the job. 

Updated March 9, 2022

Going into the healthcare field is one of the most rewarding career choices one can make. But, due to the nature of the industry, it often doesn’t leave much time — or energy — for basic personal health. In fact, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which left healthcare systems scrambling with high turnover and capacity issues, 62 percent of nurses in a national survey reported experiencing symptoms of burnout. It's also common for healthcare professionals to experience chronic illness, in addition to risking exposure to contagions like COVID-19.

It’s important that healthcare professionals are working to stay healthy and happy, despite the odds, by committing to reducing stress, eating better, and making changes to their lifestyles.

With a healthcare professional shortage in America there is a huge need for new and emerging healthcare workers. Community colleges play a vital role in educating future healthcare professionals and shaping the healthcare landscape. According to Dr. Kevin Fleming the CEO of Telos Educational Services, the past several decades have seen a large emphasis placed on the importance of people receiving college educations and advanced degrees. The belief has been that with a more advanced degree comes higher pay. There is a misalignment between education and the workforce. There’s been a “college for all mentality” instead of a “post-high school credential for all” mentality. Fleming shares that 66% of high school graduates enter college; but only 1/4 finish their bachelor’s degrees. Experts have predicted that by 2018, only 33% of the workforce will be required to have a four-year degree.

If you have made the decision to begin your career in the healthcare field, you undoubtedly are already spending plenty of time searching for openings, writing cover letters, and sending out resumes. On its own, the application process can be stressful. So what happens when you add the pressure that comes with your first interview for an entry level healthcare position?

Understandably, you may feel a bit intimidated at first. After all, you are getting set to enter a new field with new surroundings. But by taking the time to prepare and research your potential employer, you can master the art of the interview and put your best foot forward. When preparing for your interview, keep in mind the Three R’s: research, rehearsal, and references. These tips for interviewing for healthcare positions will help you on your journey to landing your first position in the healthcare industry.