Certified Nursing Assistant

Certified Nursing Assistant

Serenity Court is a 20-bed Homeless Medical Respite facility. The program implements the national best practice approaches to address the transition of homeless individuals from hospitals back into the community and to combat the additional challenges that homeless individuals face after a hospital stay. The program is overseen by the Registered Nurse Manager, who is supported by Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner staff from PHMC's Health Network Together. This team manages all health services, connects patients to recommended follow-up care, assists and encourages patients to follow treatment regimens, and coordinates with patients' existing support teams to ensure the best possible discharge outcome. The program is also supported by 24/7 Certified Nursing Assistant staffing, food services, custodial maintenance, and a Case Manager.

The Certified Nursing Assistant position provides quality nursing care to patients of the medical respite program. Nursing care will consist of patient-centered care that helps maintain the comfort, privacy, and dignity of patients in the delivery of services to them.

Reports to: Nurse Manager/or Licensed Practical Nurse

Responsibilities:

• Provides direct care to patients, which includes attending to the individual needs of patients, which may include assistance with grooming, bathing, oral hygiene, feeding, ambulation, range of motion, communicating, or other needs in keeping with the individuals' care requirements as needed;
• Performs various tasks assigned by the Nurse Manager or LPN, including checking vital signs, weighing patients, applying creams/ointments, and assisting patients with their self-administration of prescribed medications;
• Provides support to make Serenity Court function, including doing laundry and making beds;
• Assists with orienting patients to Serenity Court upon admission;
• Provides quality nursing care to patients in an environment that promotes their rights, dignity, freedom of choice, and individuality;
• Interacts with patients in a manner that displays warmth and promotes a caring environment;
• Provides food preparation by heating and serving meals, feeding patients as necessary; cleaning of dining area, dishes, utensils, and kitchen;
• Provides individualized attention, which encourages each patient's ability to maintain or attain the highest practical physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being;
• Is knowledgeable of the individualized care plan for patients and provides support to the patients according to their care plan. Contributes to the care planning process by providing the nurse manager or other care planning staff with specific information and observations of the patients' needs and preferences;
• Documents actions by completing forms, reports, logs, and records;
• Maintains work operations by following policies and procedures;
• Protects the organization's value by keeping patient information confidential.
• Adheres to professional standards, respite policies and procedures, federal, state, and local requirements;
• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities, reading professional publications, participating in professional organizations, and maintaining licensure.
• Assists in maintaining a safe, neat, and clean environment; reports environmental deficiencies to the Nurse Manager or Licensed Practical Nurse, such as lighting or equipment problems.
• Observes patients for changes in condition or behavior and promptly reports these changes to senior-level nursing staff or supervisor;
• Performs all job responsibilities in accordance with prescribed safety and infection control procedures, including thorough hand washing, use of disposable gloves where indicated, and proper disposal of soiled materials;
• Ability to explain procedures well to patients;
• Actively listening to the patient's needs and the healthcare provider's instructions;
• Keeps patient confidentiality and ensures patient privacy during care practice;
• Checks for substances and objects that may cause allergic and adverse reactions to patients and their prescribed treatment;
• Attends to regular clinical supervision as directed by the Nurse Manager;
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills:

• Demonstrates skills that are crucial to nursing assistance, such as: Patient personal care, Infection control, Environment control, Safety, and rehabilitation.
• Solid interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to communicate through email and check emails throughout the course of the shift.
• Shows patients respect and dignity.
• Ability to record patient information, which includes taking current temperature, height, weight, pulse, respiration,n and blood pressure.
• Ability to perform CPR, Heimlich maneuver, post-mortem care, ostomy care, and respiratory care.
• Ability to calmly orient and instruct a patient's family regarding medical care
• Remembering and precisely relaying important information.
• Ability to work cooperatively and effectively as a team member in contributing to and implementing organizational and programmatic goals.
• Possess basic computer skills (i.e., ability to use Microsoft Word, Outlook, etc.).
• Ability to read and write English proficiently.
• Good communication skills, including the ability to communicate sensitive information with empathy.
• Ability to adapt to the technological advancement of medical equipment.
• Organization skills.
• Ability to perform basic math skills.
• High tolerance for working under pressure and handling critical situations.
• Proficient knowledge of demographics and developmentally appropriate therapeutic practices. interventions for the population being served.
• Ability to de-escalate agitated individuals.

Competencies:

· Patient Focused - · Personal Effectiveness/Credibility

· Ethical Conduct - · Stress Management/Composure

· Flexibility - · Teamwork Orientation

· Initiative - · Technical Capacity

Experience:

• One year of experience providing direct care in a residential setting.
• CPR certified
• Medication Administration Certification preferred

Physical demands:

• Walking from the parking lot, street, or public transportation, and within the sites is required
• Carrying medical supplies, client charts, and forms is required.

Education Requirement:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent Required. Associates' or bachelor's degree preferred.
• CNA certification is required

Work Environment: The primary work environment is in a residential facility, considered high risk for tuberculosis and other air-borne diseases. Communicable diarrheal diseases are common, but transmission can be interrupted by appropriate hand washing.

Salary: Based on education and experience

PHMC is an Equal Opportunity and E-Verify Employer.