Selling LTC Insurance & other LTC Opportunities (Continued) back
Qualifications
Educational requirements vary depending upon the position. For instance, to enter a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program you need a high school diploma or high school equivalency
diploma, but if you are entering a field like physical therapy, you need a more advanced degree. Nurses are either Registered Nurses (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN). Overall, the most important
qualifications include the desire to help others, and the compassion and understanding that frail elders and the disabled need.
Employment Options
The long term care field offers careers and
employment opportunities in a variety of health professions and settings. That is, similar positions generally can be found at nursing facilities, assisted living residences, residential care communities, adult day
care centers and homes for persons with mental retardation and developmental disabilities. Also, different states vary somewhat in their requirements for various positions, so you need to check in your area about
what qualifications you will need to be a member of the long term care team (see Sources on page 7 of this pamphlet). Following is a brief description of the major areas that may interest you.
Certified Nursing Assistant, Resident Assistant and Other Positions
1. The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) provides personal care to residents or patients, such as bathing, dressing, changing linens,
transporting and other essential activities. CNAs are trained, tested, certified and work under the supervision of an RN or LPN.
2. The Resident Assistants (RA) generally work in assisted living residences
and provide direct personal care services to residents but are not certified as CNAs. Depending on the state, this position is also available in some nursing facilities.
3. In some states, a Qualified Medical
Assistant (a CNA with specialized training), may assist with the administration of medications and treatments.
Nursing Services
Several levels of professionals within the nursing staff provide quality nursing care.
1. The RNs plan for patient care by assessing patient needs, and developing and monitoring
care plans in conjunction with a physician and facility Care Planning Team. Several levels of Registered Nurses – including Unit Directors, Assistant Directors of Nursing, and Directors of Nursing (DON) – supervise
all nursing services. The DON is responsible for monitoring the overall quality of care at the facility as well as the facility's compliance with federal and state regulations.
Education requirements for
Registered Nurses vary according to the type of program. Nursing programs include diploma nurses who are graduates from hospital schools of nursing, Associate degree nurses from two year programs and Bachelor degree
nurses from four year programs. Some nurses have advanced degrees and practice at the DON or other leadership positions. All nurses graduating from any type of nursing program are required to successfully pass state
board testing to obtain a license to practice.
2. A Charge Nurse or Unit Manager is an RN or LPN who is responsible for the supervision of a unit within the nursing home. The Charge Nurse schedules and
supervises nursing staff and provides care to facility patients.
3. The LPN provides each patient with daily routine medications, necessary medical treatments, change of dressings and other related
treatments as prescribed by the attending physician. LPN programs require one year of post-high school education, as well as successfully passing a state-licensing exam.
|
