Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Position Summary:

In keeping with our Organization’s goal of improving the lives of the Residents we serve, the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) plays a critical role in providing superior customer service and nursing care to all Residents. The CNA safeguards the health, safety and welfare of all Residents under their care by following applicable laws, regulations, and established nursing policies and procedures.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

·       Provides quality nursing care to residents in an environment that promotes their rights, dignity, freedom of choice and individuality.

·       Provides individualized attention, which encourages each resident’s ability to maintain or attain the highest practical physical, mental and psychosocial well-being.

·       Is knowledgeable of the individualized care plan for residents and provides support to the residents according to their care plan. Contributes to the care planning process by providing the charge nurse or other care planning staff with specific information and observations of the residents’ needs and preferences.

·       Carry out assignments required for the Resident’s activities of daily living (ADL’s) which include but not limited to bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and feeding.

·       Attends to individual needs of all Residents related to incontinent care, transferring, ambulation, range of motion, communication, and other needs.

·       Provides care that maintains each Resident’s skin integrity to prevent pressure ulcers, skin tears and other damage by changing incontinent Residents, turning, repositioning immobile Residents and by applying moisturizers to fragile skin and other areas.

·       Performs various tasks assigned by the floor nurse including checking vital signs, weighing Residents, applying creams/ointments, and collecting specimens.

·       Assists the Wound Care Nurse as directed.

·       Completes documentation of care provided or other information in PCC in accordance with department policies while maintaining strict confidentiality.

·       Performs all job responsibilities in accordance with prescribed safety and infection control procedures, including use of disposable gloves where indicated and proper disposal of soiled materials. Follow established safety precautions when preforming tasks and using equipment and supplies.

·       Applies hand washing principles during daily work; demonstrates understanding of isolation and standard precautions; recognizes signs and symptoms of infection and complies with the employee health program; demonstrates understanding of the process for identifying and handling infectious waste; maintains personal hygiene; complies with OSHA standards in the work place; and demonstrates understanding of cross-contamination.

·       Assists with the training of new staff members.

·       Assists in maintaining a safe, neat and clean environment. Reports all hazardous conditions, damaged equipment and supply issues to the supervisor.

·       Must answer and respond to call lights promptly and courteously.

·       Assist with new admissions, re-admissions and assist with the transfer of Residents to different rooms within the facility.

·       Communicates and interacts effectively and tactfully with Residents, visitors, families, peers and supervisors.

·       Fully understands all aspects of residents’ rights, including the right to be free of restraints and free of abuse. Responsible for promptly reporting to the charge nurse or administrator incidents or evidence of resident abuse or violation of residents’ rights.

·       Maintains the comfort, privacy and dignity of Residents and interacts with them in a manner that displays warmth, respect and promotes a caring environment. Promotes and protects Resident Rights; assists Residents to make informed decisions; treats Residents with dignity and respect; reports suspected abuse or neglect; supports independent expression, choice and decision-making consistent with applicable law and regulation.

·       Protects the personal belongings of each resident, including eyeglasses, dentures, hearing aids, furnishings, jewelry, clothing and memorabilia. Promptly reports missing items according to established policy and participates in efforts to locate missing items.

·       Lifts, moves, and transports residents, using proper body mechanics or lifting devices for accident prevention. Also use wheelchairs, slide boards, walkers, and canes as required.

·       Assists and escorts residents for appointments such as at the beauty shop or attending activities or church services. Participates in activities and functions as directed.

·       Maintains a high level of confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA guidelines at all times and protects confidential information by only providing information on a “need-to-know†basis.

·       Attend staff meetings and in-services as requested. Attends in-service and education programs and attends continuing education required for maintenance of professional certification or licensure.

·       Answer incoming calls when necessary and direct calls appropriately.

·       Perform other tasks as required.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.