CNA Skill: Wheelchair Transfer | Step-by-Step Guide for the Florida Exam

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This skill tests your ability to safely transfer a resident from the bed to a wheelchair using a transfer/gait belt. It requires proper body mechanics, resident safety, and correct use of the gait belt. This is one of the most physically demanding skills on the exam.

Equipment and Supplies Needed

• Wheelchair
• Transfer/gait belt
• Non-skid footwear for resident

The bed is part of the room, not the equipment you gather. If it adjusts, set it low enough that the resident's feet can reach the floor.

Step-by-Step Procedure

Below are the criteria checklist checkpoints for Wheelchair Transfer on the Florida CNA clinical skills exam, the same checkpoints the evaluators score. Checkpoints marked (IC) are the universal indirect care checkpoints, which are scored on every skill.

1. Greet resident, address by name and introduce self? (IC)
2. Provide explanations to resident about care before beginning and during care? (IC)
3. Place wheelchair near resident's bed before assisting resident to sit at edge of bed?
4. Move wheelchair footrests out of the way before standing resident for transfer (e.g., lift, swing, or remove)?
5. Place nonskid footwear (e.g., shoes) on resident before standing resident for transfer?
6. Provide support to assist resident to sitting position on side of bed, without pulling resident by lower arms or hands?
7. Provide resident opportunity to sit on side of bed to adjust to change in position before beginning transfer?
8. Position resident's feet flat on the floor before standing to begin transfer?
9. Prepare for transfer by positioning wheelchair with front interior wheel close enough to bed so that transfer can be completed as a pivot?
10. Lock wheelchair before standing resident to begin transfer?
11. Apply transfer/gait belt before standing resident, placing around the resident's waist and over clothing, secured so that only flat fingers/hand fit under belt, and the belt does not catch skin or skin folds (e.g. breast tissue)?
12. Provide cue or signal to resident before assisting to stand?
13. Stand in front of resident reaching under resident's arms to hold transfer/gait belt at sides or around back throughout transfer?
14. Brace one or both of resident's legs during transfer while assisting to stand, turn, and sit?
15. Maintain own body mechanics when assisting resident to stand, turn, and sit?
16. Transfer resident as a pivot completed without having resident take step(s) to reach wheelchair, and before assisting resident to sit in wheelchair, positions with the back of resident's legs against the seat of wheelchair?
17. Support resident to provide for controlled gentle lowering into seat of wheelchair?
18. Leave resident positioned in wheelchair in proper body alignment, hips against back of seat, and feet on footrests?
19. Remove transfer/gait belt from resident's waist without harming resident (e.g., pulling transfer/gait belt) when transfer is complete?
20. Ask resident about preferences during care? (IC)
21. Use Standard Precautions and infection control measures when providing care? (IC)
22. Ask resident about comfort or needs during care or before care completed? (IC)
23. Promote resident's rights during care? (IC)
24. Promote resident's safety during care? (IC)

Common Mistakes on the Prometric Test

Based on our experience preparing thousands of students for Florida's CNA state exam, here are the most common mistakes candidates make on this skill:

• Wheelchair not locked: If the wheelchair moves during the transfer, the resident could fall. Always engage both wheel locks.
• Gait belt too loose or catching skin: The belt should be snug with only flat fingers fitting underneath. Check that no skin folds or breast tissue are caught.
• Grabbing the resident instead of the belt: All lifting and support should be through the gait belt, not by grabbing arms, clothing, or the body.
• Not giving a signal before standing, The resident needs to know when to help, count to three or give a clear cue.
• Letting the resident take steps: The transfer must be completed as a pivot with no steps taken, with the backs of the resident's legs against the wheelchair seat before sitting. Remember nonskid footwear and a moment to sit at the edge of the bed first, and brace the resident's legs during the transfer.

Test Day Tips for Wheelchair Transfer

• Practice the wheelchair positioning: close enough to the bed that the transfer is a true pivot, wheels locked, footrests out of the way, all before you even stand the resident.
• Check the gait belt application carefully: this has 5+ checkpoints on its own.
• Use your legs to lift, not your back. Take a wide stance for stability.
• After seating, check: hips back, feet on footrests, alignment correct.
• Place the wheelchair right against the bed and toward the foot end, both brakes locked, so the resident's feet cannot strike the chair during the pivot.
• Put the non-skid footwear on before the resident's feet touch the floor, then help them scoot forward to the edge of the bed.
• After the resident sits up on the edge of the bed, ask whether they feel dizzy before you continue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do you hold the gait belt during a transfer?

Stand in front of the resident, reach under the resident's arms, and hold the transfer/gait belt at the sides or around the resident's back throughout the transfer. Grasp the belt itself, not the resident's body or clothing.

Master This Skill with Video Demonstrations

Reading the steps is a great start, but watching the skill performed correctly makes a huge difference on test day. Our online CNA course includes:

• HD video demonstration of Wheelchair Transfer performed exactly as Prometric expects
• Detailed narration explaining each checkpoint the evaluator looks for
• Practice scenarios and tips from experienced CNA instructors
• All 22 clinical skills plus written exam preparation

Start with a free course preview. See the quality of our video instruction before you commit.

All 22 CNA Clinical Skills

See the full CNA clinical skills guide, or jump to any skill: Handwashing · Mouth Care (Brushing Teeth) · Hand and Nail Care · Denture Care · Feeding a Resident · Taking a Pulse · Measuring Respirations · Changing an Occupied Bed · Dressing with One-Sided Weakness · Female Catheter Care · Bedpan Assistance · Emptying Urinary Drainage Bag · Female Perineal Care · Range of Motion (Lower Body) · Range of Motion (Elbow and Wrist) · Range of Motion (Shoulder) · Partial Bed Bath · Change of Position · Foot Care · Ambulation with Gait Belt · Indirect Care.