Some see being a certified nursing assistant (CNA) as an entry-level position in the healthcare sector. However, for many, it is their chosen career, and they work as STNAs or CNAs their entire lives. Want more information? Learn the differences between CMA vs CNA.
Ohio nursing assistants have excellent work projections. Therefore, if you are interested in becoming one or moving to the Buckeye State, you will be able to find high-paying PRN CNA jobs and bring new momentum to your healthcare career in Ohio.
What Is a State-Tested Nurse Aide (STNA)?
In Ohio, nursing assistants are known as State-Tested Nurse Aides (STNAs).
The responsibilities of an STNA in Ohio are the same as those of CNAs in other states. They provide direct patient care, take vital signs, assist with daily living activities, and report patient conditions to nurses.
Whether you call them CNAs or STNAs, they perform essential roles in healthcare, providing direct care to patients with passion and commitment to their duties.
What Is a Patient Care Technician (PCT)?
Like a CNA or an STNA, a patient care technician provides direct care to patients and assists other healthcare professionals.
The duties of PCTs and CNAs are similar, such as taking vitals, bathing, feeding, and dressing patients. However, there are some differences between them; PCTs are typically also trained to perform electrocardiogram (EKG) readings, phlebotomy, operate dialysis machines, perform wound care, and remove stitches, among other things.
Patient care techs most commonly work in doctor’s offices, hospitals, and clinics. However, each state’s laws may vary regarding PCT responsibilities.
How to Become a CNA in Ohio
To become a CNA in Ohio, you must complete a state-approved CNA class. These programs have classroom hours and clinical hours that help you put into practice your theoretical knowledge so you have the skills needed for the job.
Once you finish your program, the next step is to pass the written and skills state test.
When you complete all the state requirements and certify, you can use the Ohio CNA license lookup tool to check your status. Furthermore, the Ohio CNA registry requires you to renew your license every two years.
To renew your license, you must prove that you have worked in nursing or nursing-related services for compensation within the previous two years.
Where Do CNAs Work?
Certified nursing assistants in Ohio can work in various settings, including dentists’ offices, junior colleges, and scientific research and development services. However, nationwide, most CNAs work in the following settings:
- Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities): 33.25%
- Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly: 15.83%
- Specialty Hospitals (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse): 9.94%
- General Medical and Surgical Hospitals: 7.19%
- Home Health Care Services: 5.08%
Long-Term Care Facilities
The above statistics show that the most common work settings for CNAs are long-term care or skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, and continuing care retirement communities. Together, these settings account for approximately half of all CNA jobs. In long-term care settings, CNAs typically have the following responsibilities:
- Helping residents with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, eating, and dressing
- Monitoring food and liquid intake
- Recording vital signs
- Reporting to a resident’s care team, including licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and registered nurses (RNs), with updates on the resident’s condition
- Helping residents stay comfortable by assisting them to change positions or take a walk if they are able
CNAs spend considerable time with residents, listening to them and providing compassionate care.
Hospitals
Hospitals are the next most common setting, accounting for approximately 17 percent of CNA jobs. Certified nursing assistants may work in various hospital units, including medical-surgical (med-surg), the emergency room (ER), and the intensive care unit (ICU).
CNAs and patient care technicians in hospitals typically perform a lot of the same tasks as in other settings:
- They may help reposition patients in bed and help them get into wheelchairs to move around the hospital.
- They help bathe, groom, and dress patients.
- They help patients eat, drink, and use the toilet.
- CNAs also may take and record vital signs.
- Since CNAs spend a lot of time with patients, they also listen to them and share relevant information with the supervising nurse.
Are you interested in STNA, CNA, or PCT jobs in hospital settings? Browse PRN CNA or patient care tech (PCT) hospital jobs with Nursa.
Home Health
Although only about 5 percent of CNAs work in home health, the setting offers unique advantages. CNAs working in home health often spend more time with individual patients. Furthermore, driving from one patient’s home to the next offers CNAs the chance to unwind while they sip a cup of coffee and listen to music.
As mentioned, CNA duties are similar across settings. However, nursing assistants or STNAs working in home health may perform some additional tasks, including the following:
- Performing light housekeeping
- Maintaining a healthy environment
- Preparing and serving meals
As with all CNAs, those working in home health spend a lot of time with their patients. Therefore, they are uniquely positioned to observe their patients’ health status and report changes to the rest of the team.
What Is the Average CNA Salary in Ohio?
Are you a CNA moving to the Buckeye State or thinking of becoming one? Then, you’ll want to know what the average CNA salary in Ohio is. Unfortunately, it is nearly 3 percent below the national average. Even in the highest-paying areas, Ohio wages are still slightly below the national mean wage.
Compare CNA income throughout the United States with Nursa's "CNA Salary Ultimate Guide."
What Are PRN CNA Jobs in the Buckeye State?
You already know that the average CNA wage in Ohio is lower than the national average. However, there is a way to earn a higher hourly pay rate through PRN CNA or STNA jobs.
PRN jobs are fixed-time contracts where nurse aides work as independent contractors and can choose the facilities where they want to work and when to pick up shifts. As an independent contractor, you avoid long-term commitments. In other words, neither Nursa nor the facilities hire you to work as an employee. This means, you don’t need to pick up shifts at the same facility again if you don’t like your experience there. Some people refer to these as local travel CNA jobs.
Moreover, you can decide when to take a break and have time for yourself or spend time with your family, which can help you gain a better work-life balance and live healthier.
If you are traditionally employed and want to make extra income during your time off, you can look for per diem shifts that fit your availability. Picking up PRN jobs can help you achieve a savings goal or check off projects on your to-do list. You may also decide to work PRN full-time to take full advantage of the higher hourly pay and flexibility.
Read our article about the ban on noncompetes, which frees up healthcare professionals to take control of their careers and ultimately, destinies.
Per Diem Shifts for CNAs in Ohio
At this point, you probably want to start looking for per diem shifts in your area. Therefore, the following list shows a geographical breakdown for PRN CNA jobs near you:
Cleveland-Akron-Canton Combined Statistical Area
STNAs living in the Cleveland-Akron-Canton area can browse per diem shifts in the following cities:
Summit County
Cuyahoga County
Ashtabula County
Coshocton County
Lorain County
Columbus-Marion-Zanesville Combined Statistical Area
Are you living in the Columbus-Marion-Zanesville area? Browse PRN CNA jobs near you in the following cities:
Ross County
Franklin County
Fairfield County
Fayette County
Muskingum County
Cincinnati-Wilmington Combined Statistical Area
STNAs can look for per diem shifts in Hamilton County:
Hamilton County
Dayton-Springfield-Kettering Combined Statistical Area
CNAs living in Montgomery County can find PRN jobs near them as well:
Montgomery County
Toledo Metropolitan Statistical Area
STNAs in the Toledo area can find PRN jobs nearby:
Lucas County
Southern Ohio Nonmetropolitan Area
CNAs in southern Ohio can find PRN jobs through Nursa in the following area:
Pike County
Nursa, the Best Way to Find PRN Jobs
Nursa is a platform that allows clinicians and facilities to connect directly and find or post shifts according to their needs.
To be able to use Nursa as a CNA, you must create your account, upload your certifications for verification, and start looking for the shift or shifts you like most.
Don’t waste more time! Sign up with Nursa and experience a new life.
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