Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Job Title: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)  

Make a difference where it matters most. East Mississippi State Hospital (EMSH) in Meridian is hiring Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) to give hands-on, compassionate care to people receiving behavioral health treatment. EMSH is part of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, so you'll get state health insurance, a state retirement plan (PERS), 18 days of personal leave, and 10 paid holidays a year.

About EMSH East Mississippi State Hospital is a behavioral health program run by the Mississippi Department of Mental Health. We provide acute psychiatric care, alcohol and drug addiction treatment, nursing home services, and community living services to people in 31 Mississippi counties. We are one of the largest employers in the Meridian area. Our core values guide our work: Service to the Public, Compassion, Care and Treatment, Excellence, and Partnership.

Job Details

• Position: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
• Location: Meridian, Mississippi
• Setting: State psychiatric hospital with 24-hour inpatient care
• Unit: [Unit or program]
• Schedule: [Full-time / Part-time], [Day / Evening / Night] shift. Rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays may be required.

Benefits

• 18 days of personal leave per year
• 12 days of medical leave per year
• 10 paid holidays per year
• State health insurance

• State retirement plan through the Public Employees' Retirement System of Mississippi (PERS)

• Semi-monthly pay with direct deposit

What You'll Do

• Help patients with activities of daily living (ADLs), including bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, feeding, and mobility
• Take and record vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure)
• Watch for changes in patients' physical condition, behavior, or mental status and report them to licensed nursing staff
• Help with transfers, walking, repositioning, and assistive devices using proper body mechanics
• Respond quickly to patient needs and requests
• Offer emotional support and promote each patient's comfort, dignity, and independence
• Document the care you give accurately and on time
• Follow infection control procedures, including hand hygiene and correct PPE use
• Keep patient rooms and care areas clean, safe, and orderly
• Protect patient rights, privacy, and confidentiality at all times
• Work closely with nursing staff, therapy services, and other departments
• Complete required training, in-services, and competency evaluations

What You'll Need

• Current Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification
• High school diploma or GED
• Ability to lift, push, pull, and reposition patients, with or without help.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and stoop for long periods
• Ability to respond quickly and calmly in emergencies
• Flexibility to work rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays

What Makes You a Great Fit

• Compassionate: You give patient, respectful care to people with mental illness, cognitive impairments, behavioral challenges, or chronic medical conditions.
• Calm under pressure: You stay steady during emergencies such as falls, medical events, or facility-wide incidents.
• Detail-oriented: You notice small changes in a patient's condition and document care accurately.
• A clear communicator: You report what you observe clearly to nurses and speak kindly with patients.
• Trustworthy: You protect patient privacy and keep information confidential.
• A team player: You work well with nurses, therapists, and staff across the hospital.

Work Environment You'll work in a 24-hour hospital setting, including patient rooms, nursing units, dining and bathing areas, and common spaces. You'll interact often with patients who may have physical limitations, cognitive impairments, behavioral challenges, or chronic medical conditions. You may be exposed to infectious diseases, bloodborne pathogens, bodily fluids, and noise. You'll follow strict infection control, safety, and emergency procedures that meet OSHA, CMS, and Mississippi requirements.