Additional certs for Nursing Assistants?

[somekindofstrange]

While browsing resumes in my local community, I stumbled upon various profiles which indicated the appliants had additional training to care for patients with various disorders such as: Alzheimers, Schizophernia, and other disorders. Do such certifications exist or are the applicants simply padding their resumes to make themselves look better prospects to employers? I apologize if this subject has already been discussed.

[truckinusa, BSN, LPN, RN]

Here in Oklahoma you can be a CNA with the Restorative Aide certificate, CMA certificate(has three endorsements for NG tube, respiratory and diabetes) and maybe activities director certs? Can't think of anything else though? It could vary on the state I assume.

[floridanurse1983]

In Fl best ones vary per location:

Hospital: Phlebotomy, EKG, or PCT

LTC/HHA/ALF: Med Tech

[IEDave, ASN, CNA, LVN]

Here in CA, the only 2 that are recognized at the state level are the CNA & HHA (Home Health Assistant). There's a whole slew of others (acute care, RNA, etc.) - far as I can tell they're either site-specific, or of varying degrees of value. RNA shows up on job ads pretty frequently - others, not so much.

Around here you can usually tell the CNA's that've worked with dementia/psych patients - we're the ones with the black eyes & bruises! No certification needed!

----- Dave

[KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN]

Maybe that is similar to a class I had to take when I was a CNA. I worked in assisted living, and the company I worked for made us all attend a 5-hour dementia class. At the end, we got certificates.