Can a CNA work in psych?

[Actias luna]

Someone mentioned this in another thread, and it made me very curious. I've never heard of a CNA working in psych, so I kind of doubt it... But I presume there is a position similar to CNA in psych? Does anyone have any information on this? I'm very interested in becoming a psych nurse someday, so this would be great experience.

Thank you kindly.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

Yes, geri-psych units often have a CNA. It may be only one per shift & unit, but they are used.

[Kay28]

On my inpatient psych unit we hire both CNAs and mental health workers. Most of the MHWs have a bachelors degree but their job is very similar. They run therapy groups, assist with vitals/adls, and document on the observation board. They also monitor patients that are a 1:1 observation and do whatever other tasks come up throughout the shift.

[PG2018]

Yeah, we have CNAs in the geriatric psych unit. It's still just plain, old CNA work. You might could get a job as a recreation aide or what they call psych techs. Most of those techs were psychology majors and have bachelor's degrees in psychology although nothing about that degree is required for the job. They just wanted something psychology-related and largely do CNA types of things with patients who don't need wiping.

[Hygiene Queen]

They sure do use CNA's!I was a CNA on a geropsych unit myself before I was a nurse.However, our unit prefers prior experience, such as a nursing home.It is very interesting work.

[verene, MSN]

I responded in that other thread an I've copied my response from there here for those who are curious.

Yes they can. I'm a CNA who works in psych. My job title is "Residential Caregiver" and I work at a mental health ALF, run by a community mental health organization. Many of these organizations will hire CNAs as caregiver/house monitor type positions. It is definitely a different kind of CNA work. I don't do anywhere near as much hands on patient care as training set me up to do, but a much broader form of work. In many ways it is much more independent than most CNA jobs.

My job is to primarily keep calm in the house and be available to residents who need a little extra help/support. I also supervise self-administered medications, arrange appointments & transportation for residents, follow up with doctors, psychiatrists, and case managers, make snacks, lead group activities, do light housework, assist with self-care, provide emotional support to residents, deal with any emergencies that come up (everything from medical to filing missing persons reports), take care of charting and office administration, order supplies, and generally get to be a jack of all trades around the building.

I don't know how this would compare to a CNA who works in-patient pysch care (frequently called "mental health techs" in my area) or in out-patient treatment facilities (frequently with title "treatment aide" or "behavioral health aide") but I have seen these jobs posted.

[psychnurse2016]

I worked on a lock down psych unit at a county rehabilitation center for 5 years as a CNA, we encountered just as much if not more than our supervising nurses. I have dealt with everything from Alzheimer/Dementia, Picks Disease, Manic, Psychosis, Multiple Personality etc. It is what helped me to make my decision to become a RN with an emphasis of Psychiatric Nursing.