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How to hire a nursing care attendant

Nursing care attendant hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring nursing care attendants in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a nursing care attendant is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new nursing care attendant to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a nursing care attendant, step by step

To hire a nursing care attendant, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a nursing care attendant:

Here's a step-by-step nursing care 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 nursing care attendant job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new nursing care attendant
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your nursing care attendant job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a nursing care attendant for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A nursing care attendant's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, nursing care 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.

    This list shows salaries for various types of nursing care attendants.

    Type of Nursing Care AttendantDescriptionHourly rate
    Nursing Care AttendantNursing 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$14-33
    PRNA 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 TransporterA 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
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • CPR
    • Vital Signs
    Responsibilities:
    • Keep linens and utilities clean and in order, empty and clean urinals commodes and bedpans.
    • Perform and report clinical observations of patients' temperature/pulse/respiration rate and blood pressure.
    • Assist clients with ADL's, and making sure their needs are meet.
    • Perform CPR and post mortem care.
    • Perform routine technical duties including Phlebotomy and EKG's.
    • Company and assist babies to x-ray, EKG, sonogram.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your nursing care attendant job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A nursing care attendant salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, nursing care attendants' average salary in north dakota is 38% less than in hawaii.
    • Seniority. Entry-level nursing care attendants earn 57% less than senior-level nursing care attendants.
    • Certifications. A nursing care 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 nursing care attendant's salary.

    Average nursing care attendant salary

    $45,960yearly

    $22.10 hourly rate

    Entry-level nursing care attendant salary
    $30,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 29, 2026
  4. Writing a nursing care attendant job description

    A nursing care 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 nursing care attendant job description:

    Nursing care attendant job description example

    1. Consults with Nursing team concerning assessment evaluations and assist in planning an developing the skin care treatment to be performed.

    2. Initiate requests for consultation or referral.

    3. Examines the Guest and their records and discriminate between normal and abnormal findings in order to recognize when to refer the Guest to a physician for evaluation, supervision or directions.

    4. May act as a Unit Nurse when directed.

    5. Provides supervision to C.N.A’s and all subordinate staff which includes checking their work to ascertain that assignments have been completed.

    6. Administer medications within the scope of practice of the R.N. or L.P.N. Licensure. Maintain a current report of narcotics received and used.

    7. Carry out direct contemporaneous charting in your shift. Chart detailed monthly evaluations of each Guest that reflect his/her condition and progress.

    8. Ensure that Guest care plans are being followed and asses each Guest’s status in accord with their care plan.

    9. Round with physicians when needed.

    10. Must be knowledgeable of individual care plans and support the care planning process by reporting specific information and observations of the Guest’s needs, preferences and report any behavioral changes.

    11. Provide wound care when needed.

    12. Completes medical records documenting care provided and other information in accordance with nursing policies while maintaining strict confidentiality.

    13. Assure that established infection control and standard precaution practices are maintained when providing care. Follow established safety precautions when preforming tasks and using equipment and supplies.

    14. Reports all hazardous conditions, damaged equipment and supply issues to appropriate persons.

    15. Maintains the comfort, privacy and dignity of Guests/guests and interacts with them in a manner that displays warmth, respect and promotes a caring environment.

    16. Answer and respond to call lights promptly and courteously.

    17. Assist with new admissions and re-admissions when directed.

    18. Communicates and interacts effectively and tactfully with Guests/guests, visitors, families, peers and supervisors.

    19. Attend and participate in departmental meetings and in-services as directed.

    Supervisory Responsibility
    This position has direct supervisor responsibilities for Certified Nurse Aides and other personnel assigned.

    Work Environment
    This job operates in a health care setting. This role requires regular walking to various locations around the facility while pulling or pushing carts. This position works mostly in the Guest care areas as well as in occasional outside weather conditions. This role may also come into contact with patients who may have contagious illnesses.

    Physical Demands
    while performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, and stooping on a regular basis. The employee must be able to lift and move items and patients weighing at least 75 pounds.

    Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

    Position Type and Expected Hours of Work
    This position is part of a health care facility that is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Rotating shifts as well as holiday and work during inclement weather will be required.

    Travel
    No travel is expected for this position.

    Required Education and Experience

    1. Graduate from and accredited nursing program.

    2. Current State License as a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse

    3. C.P.R. Certified

    Preferred Education and Experience

    1. 3 years’ experience as an R.N. or L.P.N. in a long term care setting.

    2. One year experience as a C.N.A.

    Additional Eligibility Qualifications

    1. Knowledge of Joint commission procedures.

    2. Knowledge of IDPH regulations.

    Other Duties
    Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for their job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

  5. Post your job

    There are various strategies that you can use to find the right nursing care attendant for your business:

    • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your nursing care attendant job on Zippia to find and recruit nursing care attendant candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites such as healthcarejobsite, health jobs nationwide, hospitalcareers, medreps.com.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with nursing care attendant candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

    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 nursing care attendant

    Once you have selected a candidate for the nursing care attendant position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

    You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

    To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

  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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How much does it cost to hire a nursing care attendant?

Before you start to hire nursing care attendants, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire nursing care attendants pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

The median annual salary for nursing care attendants is $45,960 in the US. However, the cost of nursing care attendant hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring a nursing care attendant for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $14 and $33 an hour.

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