Certified Nursing Assistant

Certified Nursing Assistant

Under the direction of the Center Nurse Executive/Infection Preventionist/Designee, the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) delivers efficient and effective nursing care while achieving positive clinical outcomes and patient/family satisfaction. He/she will function within the standards of practice as accorded by his/her Certification. The CNA performs various patient care activities and related non-professional services essential to caring for personal needs and comfort of patients. The Certified Nursing Assistant may also be responsible for specimen collection for POC testing, where scope of practice, as well as state and federal regulations permit.

Responsibilities/Accountabilities:

• Provides patient care in a manner conducive to safety and comfort. Patient care includes, is not limited to:
• Assists patient with or performs Activities of Daily Living (ADL).
• Obtains and records Vital Signs and weights per policy.
• Assist patients with ambulation and transfers.
• Positions patients in correct body alignment in and out of bed; Applies adaptive equipment as ordered.
• Cares for personal belongings.
• Assists physician and/or licensed nurse with treatments and procedures as needed.
• Makes both occupied and unoccupied beds.
• Accompanies patients when transported outside the center for appointments as requested.
• Ensures patients are ready for scheduled rehab therapy and transports patients to rehab.
• Notifies licensed nurse if patient identification is missing.
• Participates in the care planning process and implements care according to care plan. Perform skin treatments, as permitted by state regulation.
• Applies simple clean dressings, slings, stockings, and support bandages, under direction of the licensed nurse, as permitted by state regulation.
• Feeds or assists patients with meals and provides additional nourishment and hydration per care plan.
• Records patient's oral intake and output.
• Uses Point Click Care (PCC - POC) according to the Clinical System Processes, if applicable.
• Answers call light or bell promptly, delivers messages, cleans areas of spillage or accidents.
• Maintain infection prevention and control precautions practices according to policy. Participates in orientation of new nursing assistants.
• Reports changes in patient's condition, patient/family concerns or complaints to charge nurse and/or supervisor.
• Collects and bags soiled linen and delivers to dirty linen area.
• Obtains clean linens and supplies from supply areas, cleans utility rooms, kitchen areas and all other nursing areas, as assigned.
• Cleans patient equipment as assigned.
• Transfers patient's belongings and equipment as directed, and assists with postmortem Care.
• Assists with patient discharge as requested
• Assists with the orientation of newly hired CNAs.
• Promotes a culture of safety to ensure healthy practice and living environment.
• Collaborates and coordinates with other departments to provide timely effective care consistent with individual's needs, choices and preferences.
• Contributes to an environment that is respectful, team-oriented, and responsive to the concerns of staff, patients and families.
• Participates in quality improvement activities as requested.
• Maintains confidentiality and protects sensitive Protected Health Information (PHI) at all times.
• Stays and works beyond scheduled shift if needed to meet state staffing requirements and/or needs of patients.
• Performs other duties as requested.

Specific Educational/Vocational Requirements:

• Successful completion of a state approved certified nursing assistant program.
• A minimum of a high school education or high school equivalency diploma is preferred. This position requires that the employee is able to read, write, speak and understand the spoken English language to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our patients and visitors at the work site when responding to their medical and physical needs.
• Must provide verification of TST (tuberculin skin test) as required by state law and in accordance with Company policy.
• TSTs will be administered at the work site if required.
• Basic knowledge of computer uses or willingness to learn.
• Must attend a minimum of 12 hours continuing education programs provided by the center in order to maintain certification.
• Complies with applicable legal requirements, standards, policies and procedures including but not limited to those within the Compliance and Ethics Program, Standard/Code of Conduct, Federal False Claim Act and HIPAA.
• Participates in required orientation and training programs.
• Promptly reports concerns and suspected incidences of non-compliance to supervisor, Compliance Liaison or to the Compliance Officer via the Integrity Hotline.
• Cooperates with monitoring and audit functions and investigations.
• Participates, as requested, in quality assurance and process improvement activities.

Certified Nursing Assistant Specimen Collector (In States Where Permitted) Responsibilities/Accountabilities:

• Collect nasal specimens for point-of-care testing, following established procedures and manufacturer's recommendations.
• Maintain specimen integrity by following appropriate infection control practices. Utilize appropriate personal protective equipment (gloves, gown, respirator and face shield/eye protection) for specimen collection.
• Successful fit testing and ability to wear respirator (e.g. N95/KN95)
• Ensure appropriate labelling of specimens collected.
• Complete required documentation timely and accurately.
• Successful completion of Point-of-Care testing specimen collection education and training.
• Successful completion of specimen collection competency
• Report malfunction of specimen collection equipment or incidents occurring during specimen collection.
• Successful completion of Point of Care testing specimen processing and analyzing of specimens with POC testing instrument, as permitted by state and federal regulations.
• Must be able to utilize PPE appropriately, including respirator, gowns, gloves and eye protection.

CNA Selection Criteria/Qualification Considerations must have a minimum of one of below:

• Completed and/or in CNA Career Ladder Program
• Experience as Lab tech
• Currently enrolled in nursing school
• Experience as designated IP for conducting IC walking rounds
• CNA/licensed nurses' recommendations for CNA
• Med Tech (must be within scope)
• Med Aide (must be within scope)
• Must be fit tested and be able to wear N95/KN95