How to hire a certified nursing attendant

How to hire a certified nursing attendant, step by step

Here's a step-by-step certified nursing attendant hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a certified nursing attendant job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new certified nursing attendant
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a certified nursing attendant, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A certified nursing attendant's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, certified nursing attendants from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of certified nursing attendants and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Certified Nursing Attendant	Description	Hourly rate
   Certified Nursing Attendant	Nursing assistants, sometimes called nursing aides, help provide basic care for patients in hospitals and residents of long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes. Orderlies transport patients and clean treatment areas... Show more	$10-29
   PRN	A PRN or a "pro re nata" employee is responsible for covering a shift or a specific situation, especially during short-staffing or the need to complete a particular task. The PRNs often work for a medical industry without a regular or full-time commitment, having the freedom to manage their time and take multiple assignments from different organizations... Show more	$8-42
   Patients Transporter	A patients transporter is responsible for transporting patients from one place to assigned healthcare facilities to receive medical care and treatment. Patients transporters assist with moving the patients, such as on wheelchairs and beds, depending on their conditions... Show more	$11-17

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Patients
   • Vital Signs
   • CPR
   • Patient Care
   • Emotional Support
   • Home Health
   • Direct Patient Care
   • ADL
   • Catheter
   • Bedpans
   • Surgery
   • Fresh Water
   • Colostomy
   • Gait Belts

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Do ADL sheets and assist RN's and LPN's when need.
   • Develop and update syllabus for each assign course.
   • Obtain vitals, monitor ADL'S be aware of patient condition and orientation.
   • Turn and change beds, install and empty catheter bags and feed residents.
   • Contribute individualized care with feeding patients.
   • Operate Mechanical/Manual Hoyer lift for patients.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your certified nursing attendant job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A certified nursing attendant salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, certified nursing attendants' average salary in new mexico is 48% less than in hawaii.
   • Seniority. Entry-level certified nursing attendants earn 65% less than senior-level certified nursing attendants.
   • Certifications. A certified nursing attendant with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a certified nursing attendant's salary.

   Average certified nursing attendant salary

   $37,333yearly

   $17.95 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level certified nursing attendant salary

   $22,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing a certified nursing attendant job description

   A certified nursing attendant job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a certified nursing attendant job description:

   Certified nursing attendant job description example

   Job Schedule: Full Time
   Standard Hours: 40
   Job Shift: Shift 1
   Shift Details:
   
   

   Work where every moment matters.
   
   Every day, over 30,000 Hartford HealthCare colleagues come to work with one thing in common: Pride in what we do, knowing every moment matters here. We invite you to become part of Connecticut's most comprehensive healthcare network as a Visiting Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).

   Hartford HealthCare at Home, the largest provider of homecare services in Connecticut, has been fulfilling our mission for more than 115 years. Our Person-Centered Care Model allows our employees to learn and grow within our organization, all while providing integrated support to the patient. As part of Hartford HealthCare, we leverage cutting edge technology to provide quality care in our client's home. Most importantly, our employees are appreciated for the real differences they make in both the lives of their clients and their clients' families.

   Our Revisit LPNs utilize their extensive education and training to provide personalized care to our patients in a rewarding environment that promotes autonomy.

   Job Description

   · Facilitate communication between the patient and the interdisciplinary team.

   · Develop and maintain a therapeutic relationship by providing education and promoting self-advocacy and independence.

   · Utilize state-of-the-art technology to document skilled services provided.

   
   

   Qualifications

   · Licensed Practical Nurse with Valid CT LPN license

   · One year of LPN experience; Homecare experience preferred.

   · Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required.

   · Computer proficiency required.

   We take great care of careers.

   With locations around the state, Hartford HealthCare offers exciting opportunities for career development and growth. Here, you are part of an organization on the cutting edge - helping to bring new technologies, breakthrough treatments and community education to countless men, women and children. We know that a thriving organization starts with thriving employees-- we provide a competitive benefits program designed to ensure work/life balance. Every moment matters. And this is your moment .

   
   
   

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find certified nursing attendants for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any certified nursing attendants they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level certified nursing attendants with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your certified nursing attendant job on Zippia to find and attract quality certified nursing attendant candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as healthcarejobsite, health jobs nationwide, hospitalcareers, medreps.com.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit certified nursing attendants, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new certified nursing attendant

   Once you've selected the best certified nursing attendant candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new certified nursing attendant. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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