Certified Nurse Assistant

Certified Nurse Assistant

Under direct supervision, the Certified Nurse Assistant is responsible for assisting with direct patient care as well as other work on the unit, which supports the patient environment. Work will include components of direct patient care, nutrition, observation, documentation, transportation and general maintenance of the patient environment. Adheres to the principles of Service Excellence Guiding Behaviors and the philosophy and mission of SJHS in all aspects of job performance.

Job Duties :

• Actively demonstrates the organization's mission and core values, and conducts oneself at all times in a manner consistent with these values.
• Knows and adheres to all laws and regulations pertaining to patient health, safety and medical information.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide service / care appropriate to the age of the patients served, in accordance with SJHS standards.
• Assists and prioritizes activities of daily living and other cares with the guidance and delegation of the RN.
• Obtains and records vital signs temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respirations, oximetry, and pain score; height / weight; intake / output; and records the information appropriately, accurately and in a timely manner with notification to the nurses as needed.
• Maintains knowledge and demonstrates competency in the use of patient equipment i.e., manual and automatic blood pressure machine, pulse oximeters, bladder scanner, restraints, electronic scales, gait belts, intermittent pneumatic compression stockings (SCD), heating pads, ice bags, wall suction set-up and Yankeur suction, placement of telemetry, mechanical lifts, bed scales, bed and chair alarms, and personal alarms.
• Assists with patient treatments such as repositioning, pre-operative hair removal and shower preps. Empties all drains and collection bags (except intracranial pressure monitoring drains [Becker] and chest tubes).
• Assists with, documents and records procedures maintains oxygen rates; performs finger sticks for blood glucose monitoring; records chest tube levels; ambulates patients while maintaining tubes; performs specimen collections of stool, sputum, clean catch / 24 hour urine; VRE / MRSA swabs of rectum and nare.
• Records acquired data and observations resulting from patient care such as vitals, patient activity, tolerance, elimination and nutrition within the EMR.
• Identifies and communicates significant changes in patient's status (potential or actual adverse patient occurrences) to the registered nurse.
• Communicates and collaborates effectively with Registered Nurse and other multidisciplinary team members as well as patients, families and significant others. Communicates and receives proper handoff report at shift changes.
• Assists with patient dismissal process packs up belongings, dresses patient, escorts patient as directed by nurse to awaiting vehicle. Assists RN with transfer to other care areas.
• Assists RN in hourly patient rounds. Responds to patient call lights to determine patient need and takes appropriate action in a timely manner.
• Assists with post mortem care of the patient and transports the body to the hospital morgue as delegated.
• Initiates appropriate measures to insure safety / well-being of patient, family, visitors and staff. Responds appropriately to Emergency Codes.
• Prior to meal service in designated patient care areas, verifies patient and diet information; insures availability of appropriate meal trays.
• Serves meal to patients. Provides assistance and feeds patient as needed. Accommodates special requests when possible.
• Provides follow-up to meal service; collects trays; records fluid intake, calorie counts and appetite assessment. Distributes HS snacks and documents refusal as well as communicating same to nurse.
• Maintains cleanliness, organization, and safety of the patient environment.
• Actively participates in intradepartmental meetings / in-services on unit.
• Maintains competencies on an ongoing basis.
• Is knowledgeable of and participates in improving patient safety. Recognizes and communicates issues / occurrences utilizing the VOICE documentation system. Notifies the nurse / manager. Assists in identifying ways to resolve issues by utilizing problem solving techniques.
• Maintains confidentiality of information pertaining to patients, physicians, employees, and SJHS business.
• Demonstrates general working knowledge of computers and department specific software (i.e. Healthstream, internet, etc.)
• Performs other duties consistent with purpose of job as directed.

Job Specifications and Core Competencies :