CNA Agencies

CNA agencies are the connecting links between qualified nurses and medical facilities. These agencies help the qualified nursing assistants in finding a job that fits with their qualifications. On the other hand, nurse aide agencies assist clinics and healthcare centers in fulfilling vacant positions; by providing qualified candidates.

More about nursing agencies

There is a lack of certified nursing assistants in United States. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicted that, by 2018 there may be 18% growth in the job opportunities for CNAs. Nursing agencies play an important role in meeting the demand of nurse aides. These agencies are regulated on a state and federal level. Certified nurse agencies assist medical facilities like, long term healthcare centers, assisted living centers, nursing homes, hospitals and clinics; in fulfilling the positions of home health care workers, nursing aides and homemakers.

Types of CNA Agencies

There are two types of certified nursing agencies-

• Travel nursing agency

Travel nursing agencies are specialized in fulfilling the vacancies of nurses all over the country. These agencies help in reducing the shortage of nurse aides, specifically in critical and remote regions. Those aspirants, who are willing to work as a CNA in any part of the country, can register themselves with a travel nursing agency.

• Nurse recruiting/staffing agency

Nurse recruiting/staffing agencies assist certified nursing assistants in finding the right job in their state or other states. These agencies have good contacts with employers. They help the nurses in getting jobs in various areas of healthcare, like cardiac care, pediatrics, gerontology, psychiatric nursing, surgical nursing, etc.

Starting a nursing agency

Nurse aides work in a variety of settings, like clinics, assisted living centers, healthcare centers, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, etc. Nursing assistants can start their own nursing agency, if they wish to.

Steps to start a nurse aide agency are as follows:

Step 1- Look for an office. You can utilize a room of your residence as an office. Equip the office with a telephone and a computer.

Step 2- Contact with the HR departments of prospective employers (hospitals, clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, etc.) in your locality. Inform them about your nurse aide certification and ensure them about your abilities to fulfill the vacancies. Sign an agreement with them to fulfill the vacancies at a particular rate.

Step 3- Contact the potential candidates, who possess the qualifications in compliance with the employer’s requirements. Give advertisements in nursing magazines and create a leaflet containing employment requirements and your contact details.

Step 4- Scrutinize the prospective candidates. Verify their qualifications and certifications. After analyzing them, contact the potential employers and ensure them that the selected people possess the qualifications and skills as per their (employer) requirements.

Step 5- Record all the information related to your business. Maintain the information of the employees working for you as well as the copy of agreements with the employers in separate files. Keep all the records on the computer as well, for quick retrieval.

Step 6- Ensure that, you are conducting all your business affairs in accordance with the norms specified by the federal, state and local laws. All the business activities should be in conformance with the regulations governing medical staffing and state licensing employment.

Registering a nursing agency

Since the nursing assistant agencies are regulated on a state and federal level, it is essential to register them.

Information regarding the registration of a nursing assistant agency-

• You can register your agency as a limited liability, limited partnership or a sole proprietor company. This helps your clients to contact a liable person, in case of any issue. It will also help you in paying taxes.
• Register your company with IRS (Internal Revenue Service). Request for an Employer Identification Number for your agency. Online registration facility is also available here.
• For obtaining information about small business funding and grants, join the SBA (Small Business Administration) of U.S.A. The SBA provides several aids, like direct contacts to local and federal agencies, model business plans and online training.
• The registration requirements differ with locality and state. Contact the state licensing office of your state for registering the agency.
• Acquire the membership of NAHC (National Association for Home Care and Hospice), U.S.A.’s largest trade association. You have to provide certain information about your agency, like current statistics, state wise contact details, etc.; to unite with NAHC.

Get your agency registered with the state Medicaid or Medicare agency. It ensures that your agency is legal. It will also help you in getting reimbursement for your services.