CNA-Health Care

The Certified Nursing Assistant is an employee trained to provide personal care and services to the terminally ill to augment the care given by family members. She/he functions under the direction, instruction and supervision of the Nurse and/or the Nurse Supervisor. Job Responsibilities Perform personal care activities as written in the assignment, such as helping the patient maintain good personal hygiene. Assist in maintaining a safe and healthy environment. Plan and prepare nutritious meals; grocery shop when instructed by the nurse; assist in feeding and in measuring and preparing special diets. Assist the patient in ambulation and with the use of a walker or wheelchair as taught and supervised by the nurse. Assist with treatments ordered by the physician, such as changing a colostomy bag, reinforcing a dressing, using a prescribed ice cap or collar, performing simple urine tests for sugar, acetone or albumin, measuring intake and output, and assist with self‑administered medications. Assist with prescribed range of motion exercises taught by the nurse or physical therapist. Encourage the patient to become as independent as possible according to the interdisciplinary care plan. Attempt to promote mental alertness through involvement in activities of interest. Other Responsibilities Provide simple emotional and psychological support to the patient and household members. Report any change in the patient’s mental or physical condition or home situation to the Renaissance Hospice Nurse and the interdisciplinary team. Teach basic care to the primary caregiver. Practice infection control measures per OSHA standards. Record temperature, pulse and respiration. Keep accurate records of the patient’s health‑care activities on interdisciplinary charts. Evaluate patient/family needs and assist in preparing and executing the interdisciplinary plan of care. Complete a minimum of 12 hours of in‑services per year. Participate in at least one quality‑improvement activity yearly. The Home Health Aide May Not Change sterile dressings. Irrigate body cavities (such as an enema). Irrigate a colostomy or wound. Perform a gastric lavage or gavage. Catheterize a patient. Administer medications except those that are self‑administered. Apply heat by any method. Care for a tracheotomy tube. Suction a patient. Perform any personal health service not included in the patient care plan by the nurse. Direction Received Report directly to the Sunrise Health Services Nurse and/or the Sunrise Health Services Nurse Supervisor. Receive clinical direction from the patient’s primary nurse. #J-18808-Ljbffr