A Day in the Life of a Medical Assistant

If you’re considering a career as a certified medical assistant, you might be wondering: what exactly does a CNA do? Even though many people interested in the healthcare field have a general idea of the duties of a medical assistant, many are curious about the day-to-day routine of a CNA. Wherever your CNA career path takes you, you can be confident that you’re choosing one of the most rewarding healthcare careers out there. Here’s an interesting peek into a day in the life of a medical assistant, specifically one working with patients in a nursing home:

6:30 – 7:00 AM

Once I arrive at work, I put on my scrubs and get ready for the day. That means clocking in, checking in at the nurses’ station, and getting my list of patients for the day.

7:00-8:00 AM

I make my first set of rounds, checking in with all my patients and getting them ready for the day. For most, this involves help getting up out of bed, using the restroom, and getting into the shower or a bath.

8:30 AM

Breakfast is ready! Most of my patients today feed themselves, but a few need help. I spend some one-on-one time with those patients, enjoying a brief morning chat while feeding them today’s breakfast of pancakes and berries.

9:00-10:00 AM

Time for rounds again – this time, I’m mostly just changing them and helping them to the restroom as needed. Every time I see my patients, it’s important to me to make sure they have everything they need. For some, this means grabbing an extra blanket or a warm beverage, while others ask for their walkers to head to the community room.

10:30 AM

After checking in with patients who have activated their call lights, our team works on getting patients together for the daily activity time. Today, there are a few exercises planned, along with a short movie showing for anyone who’d like to participate.

11:00 AM-12:00 PM

After finishing rounds again, I start prepping my patients for lunch. It’s chicken soup on the menu for today. I make sure that patients’ clothing is carefully covered with towels to catch any spills and assist those who require help eating.

12:30 PM

Now it’s my turn for lunch, and I eat a quick meal with a few other CNAs on my team. We talk about last night’s episode of a popular sitcom, then get ready to jump back into rounds.

1:00-2:00 PM

The last rounds of my shift include taking vitals and recording weights. I say goodbye to my patients for the day, promising to stop by their rooms to say hello tomorrow.

3:00 PM

As I clock out for the day, I can’t help but smile – even though the day was hectic, as always, it’s been so fulfilling to make a positive difference in the daily lives of my patients.

Begin Your Medical Assistant Career with an Education from the Allen School of Health Sciences

For individuals interested in the world of medical careers, The Allen School of Health Sciences can be an excellent first step toward a bright future. Whether you’ve been dreaming of a job as a Medical Assistant for years, or you’re just now considering rerouting your current career path, our certified medical training program can prepare you to enter the healthcare industry. One of the biggest benefits of working as a CNA is opening the door to a wide variety of professional opportunities and career paths – all you have to do is get started. For more information about how enrolling in our nursing assistant training program can jumpstart your future, contact The Allen School of Health Sciences today.   Article updated February 16, 2024

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