Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
SUMMARY OF POSITION: Under the supervision and guidance of a licensed nurse (RN or LPN), the CNA is responsible for assisting with direct residents/patients care within the scope of their practice as well as other work on the unit which supports the patient environment. The CNA assists staff to ensure optimal patient care and assists the healthcare team to provide and maintain a clean, safe, and attractive environment for patients. Work will include components of direct patient care, nutrition, observation, documentation, transportation of patients and supplies, hygiene and general maintenance of the residents/patients environment.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (To be completed without harming or injuring the resident/patient, co-worker, self, or others):
Direct care responsibilities
Participates in and receives the nursing report upon reporting to duty.
Measures and records vital signs.
Collects specimens.
Follows established policies for exposure to blood/body fluids.
Uses only authorized abbreviations established by the facility when recording information.
Observes residents/patients response to care.
Reports and records observations of resident’s/patient's conditions.
Reports all changes in resident’s/patient’s conditions to supervisor in a timely manner.
Ensures that each resident’s personal care needs are being met in accordance with the resident’s/patient’s wishes.
Performs restorative and rehabilitative procedures as instructed.
Applies and monitors the proper restraints as instructed and maintain accurate records.
Assists with lifting, turning, moving, positioning, and transporting residents/patients into and out of beds, chairs, bathtubs, wheelchairs, lifts, etc.
Turns and positions residents/patients and provides range of motion exercises, according to the care plan.
Transfers residents/ patients safely. Some examples are, but not limited to:
o Bed to a wheelchair or wheelchair to bed
o Wheel chair to shower chair or shower chair to wheel chair.
o Wheel chair or bed to a stationary chair or stationary chair to wheel chair or bed.
Is able to use facility lifting devices per manufacture’s guidelines.
Assists residents/patients, with or without, self help devices.
Walking the residents/patients as required, utilizing a gate belt.
Bathes residents/patients. (Recognizing that some residents may physically resist bathing).
Gives oral hygiene.
Shaves patients.
Provides nail and hair care.
Provides denture care.
Assists with dressing and undressing.
Assists with adaptive equipment.
Adheres to the facility bowel and bladder program for residents/patients.
Keeps residents/patients dry and clean (changing gowns, linen, etc.)
Provides perineal care including care to those residents/patients with indwelling catheters.
Assists with bed pans, urinals and commodes. Accurately records the amount in record as indicated and report any irregularities to the nurse.
Empties urine collection bags or containers following infection control measures and keeping the area clean and safe from spills. Accurately records the amount in record as indicated and reports any irregularities to the nurse.
Assists with colostomy care while following infection control measures. Accurately records the amount in record as indicated and reports any irregularities to the nurse.
Maintains cleanliness and sanitation of resident’s/patient’s units, central bathing area, treatment and supply rooms, workrooms, linen closets, bedpans, urinals and commodes, wash basins and emesis basins, bath tubs after each use, and floors if resident/ patient is incontinent or spills food and liquids.
Monitors supplies and inventory levels daily.
Utilizes supplies and equipment properly and without waste.
Cleans instruments and equipment and returns to the proper area after use.
Changes bed linens occupied and non-occupied keeping linens tight to prevent wrinkles forming under the residents/patients.
Lifts or removes mattress as needed.
Identifies and responds to potential hazards which may result in injuries to the resident/patient, self, co-workers or others. Some examples are, but not limited to:
o Wet floors
o Cord placements
o Personal Items, including clothing and furniture
o Medical equipment
Handles linens according to infection control guidelines.
Assists with keeping nursing and residents/patients care sanitary and orderly by performing trash and housekeeping functions, distributing linens, and personal belongings.
Answers call bell lights promptly and resolves resident’s/patient’s requests or needs.
Keeps call bell signals within the resident’s/patient's reach but not in a hazardous position that could result in injury to the resident/patient, self, co-workers or others.
Ensures that all residents/patients who are unable to use a call bell signal are checked frequently or as required by the care plan.
Protects the resident’s/patient’s personal possessions.
Prepares hot & cold applications safely.
Assists residents/patients in preparing for activities and social programs.
Assists with the care of dying residents/patients, treating the family and resident/patient with dignity, empathy, respect and sympathy.
Assist patients in meeting nutrition
Prepares residents/patients for meals according to the care plan or the needs of each individual residents/patients (positioned appropriately and ensuring utensils are within reach of the resident/patient).
Honors the residents/patients preferences and adhere to food allergies.
Passes food trays using safe and sanitary measures (following infection control guidelines).
Passes food and snacks while adhering to allergies and thickened liquids.
Feeds residents/patients or offers assistance as required.
Observes food trays and accurately documents the percent of intake as required.
Provides fresh drinking water following hydration guidelines.
Provides nutritional snacks following the facility guidelines.
Refrains from eating food prepared for residents.
Assist with residents/patients overall care and safety
Knows and follows proper protocol with infectious control management; avoiding the spread of germs which may transport disease.
Observes the residents/patients and surroundings; assists the nurse to identify changes in resident’s behavior or conditions.
Observes and removes any potential hazards which could cause accidents.
Records all entries on flow sheets, notes, charts, etc., in an informative and descriptive manner.
Reports all observed or reported incidents of potential abuse, neglect or accidents immediately to the direct supervisor.
Reports occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals to supervisors.
Assists residents/patients in preparing for medical tests (i.e., lab work, x-ray, therapy, dental, etc.).
Demonstrates job-specific knowledge of fire and disaster preparedness during drills or actual situations.
Observes and reports the presence of pressure areas and skin breakdowns to prevent ulcers (bedsores).
Reports injuries of an unknown source, including skin tears.
Manages combative residents/patients while maintaining his/her self-esteem and avoiding injury to self and residents/patients.
Follows health care facility’s smoking policies, reports any incidents of resident, staff or visitors and uses proper protective equipment.
Ability to identify chemicals, and properly use and dilute chemicals safely without causing injuries to self, co-workers or others.
Follows defined Infection Control Procedures.
Personal and professional conduct
Protects residents/patients privacy and maintains confidentiality.
Respects the rights of each resident/patient according to the Resident Bill of Rights; including protecting the resident’s/patient’s personal belongings.
Respects cultural and religious practices of residents/patients, coworkers, and others.
Fosters and supports a culture of compliance.
Maintains a dependable attendance record and clocks in and out daily without error
Adheres to standards of cleanliness, grooming, hygiene and dress code.
Works flexible hours including overtime, holiday and weekends as scheduled or as needed to fill schedule openings.
Follows facility and OSHA safety rules and procedures at all times.
Wears proper non-slip shoes to prevent injury or falls.
Wears and/or uses safety equipment and supplies when indicated and properly trained to use.
Upholds HIPAA regulations.
Attends and participates in in-service training, performance improvement (PI) committees and other meetings as scheduled and directed.
Reports resident/patient abuse or neglect immediately, and does not engage in abuse or neglect.
Assists in orientation and training of employees as assigned.
Performs other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Ability to meet all health, compliance, and competency requirements
Ability to read, write, and speak English; and communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
Ability to complete required orientation as directed by the facility.
Has successfully completed state required background check and is eligible to work in the facility.
Minimum of one year CNA experience.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
CNA current certification.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to talk or hear. The employee is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and smell. All employees of nursing homes may be required to provide lifting and transfer assistance to patients/residents safely without harming or injuring the resident/patient, yourself, co-workers or others. This job requires significant physical activities including standing, lifting, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling and twisting. Employees of nursing homes may be required to provide lifting and transfer assistance to residents safely without harming or injuring the resident/patient, yourself, co-workers or others. Lifting and/or transferring some residents will require use of a lifting device and /or assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Note: Nothing in this job specification restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Designation of essential and marginal functions is for the purpose of compliance with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA). All employees are required to perform all job duties, consistent with the ADA. Critical features of this job are described under various headings above. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons. The above statements are strictly intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees in this position.