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The medical field is demanding of your time and energy. Learn what employers look for when hiring an STNA.

If it is your dream to pursue a career in healthcare, a job as a state tested nurse’s assistant is one quick way to get you from training and classes straight into the field. Whether hiring privately, at hospitals, in nursing homes or in rehab facilities, there is no shortage of employers looking to fill STNA positions. Certainly your passion for where you work and what you do will shine through to your potential employers, but what else do they want in their potential employee? Here is what employers look for when hiring an STNA.

How To Get Hired As A STNA
While you may think holding a successful passing score from your classes is enough to get your foot in the door, there are many other qualities and attributes that your STNA employer is looking for when filling a nursing position. Here are some characteristics they are looking for:

• Successfully State Tested Employees. A no brainer; if you’re applying for a STNA position, your employer wants to know that you passed and were successfully state tested and approved.
• Good Written And Verbal Communication. As with any job in the healthcare field, your training in written and verbal communication is of the utmost importance. Not only should you be taking proper notes on your patients, you also need to be able to properly communicate with your colleagues in a clear and concise manner.
• Observation Skills. As an STNA you will be observing your patients every single day, and even the slightest change in behavior may signal an issue with your patient’s health or treatment. STNA’s do well to be detail-oriented at their jobs.
• Time Management. When working as a nurse’s assistant, there will be many patients to take care of in a small amount of time. Since you do not always work in a monitored situation, your time management and organizational skills will be a key element to your value.
• Responsibility. As with any job, your employer does not want to hire someone who will pass off shifts, or call in sick often. Remember as an STNA when you do not show up for your shift you are letting down not only your fellow nurses and colleagues, but also your patients who need your compassion, support, and training.

Are you interested in pursuing a career as an STNA? Let PCHS help get you started today by signing up for STNA classes and taking advantage of our 98% pass rate for careers in healthcare.