Patient care associates assist hospital patients with basic medical care and residents of long-term facilities with daily living. A high school diploma or GED, a nursing assistant course, on-the-job training, and licensure are requirements for becoming a patient care associate. This is a rapidly growing field, due to an aging population requiring more nursing home care.
Essential Information
Patient care associates, often called certified nursing assistants (CNAs), provide bedside care to patients and assist them with daily living activities in addition to performing basic medical tasks, such as taking vital signs. Preparing for a patient care associate position usually involves completing a short nursing assistant program approved by the state, taking a state certification examination and learning during a period of on-the-job training.
| Required Education | State-approved nursing assistant course plus on-the-job training |
| Other Requirements | Must pass state certification exam for licensure |
| Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)* | 8% for nursing assistants |
| Median Salary (May 2019)* | $26,990 for nursing assistants |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
Working as a Patient Care Associate
Patient care associates are caregivers who hold technical training and often have more direct patient contact than any other member of a healthcare team. Patient care associates work under the direct supervision of a registered nurse and assist with routine care. Their duties include assistance in turning and positioning, exercising, bathing, bed making, feeding, catheterization, obtaining specimens, CPR, first aid and checking vital signs.
Patient care associates also observe their patient's mental, emotional and physical conditions and report any changes to the nursing staff. Some patient care associates receive additional training to provide electrocardiogram and phlebotomy (blood work) assistance, depending on the job requirements of the hiring institution.
Patient care associates may be employed by hospitals, nursing homes, doctor's offices, labs and clinics. This career requires long hours of standing and walking, a thorough understanding of emergency procedures and the ability to stay calm in stressful situations.
Employment Information
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov), career opportunities for nursing assistants is predicted to increase by 8% from 2019-2029. This increase was expected to be primarily due to a growing elderly population, causing a rise in admissions to nursing care facilities.
Education Requirements
Most patient care associates learn through training programs offered by accredited community or technical colleges, high schools or nursing homes. These programs typically consist of both classroom and laboratory training as well as clinical experience. Most programs require the prospective student to be at least 18 years old and possess a high school diploma or GED. Typical coursework may include basic nursing skills, medical terminology, math, nutrition, infection control, personal care skills and electrocardiogram and phlebotomy training.
After completing the program, the student must pass a competency examination in order to be listed on the state registry of workers approved to be hired in nursing homes. Some states have additional qualifications, including criminal background checks.
Patients in hospitals and residents of long-term care facilities rely on patient care associates to assist with medical care and activities of daily living. In addition to the required education, coursework, on-the-job training, and licensure, patient care associates should possess a desire to help and serve others.