Assistant, Nursing

The Certified Nursing Assistant assists the clinical staff in the care of and treatment for patients in an acute care setting under the supervision of a licensed nurse. Responsibilities may vary based on department assignment. Collaborates with other professional disciplines to ensure effective and efficient patient care delivery and the achievement of desired patient outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Supports the organization vision and mission.
• Utilizes knowledge of patient's age, developmental status, spiritual and cultural diversity into the provision of patient care.
• Contributes to the provision of quality nursing care through performance improvement techniques that demonstrate positive outcomes in patient care.
• Patient Care Activities Participates in nursing reports by receiving and contributing to status report of patients.
• Prepares patient and/or patient room for the admission, transfer or discharge process.
• Provides morning care, evening care and general care routines in accordance with established nursing care procedures to assure patients' physical comfort.
• Takes and records vital signs, height, weight (and other measurements, as applicable) in an accurate and precise manner.
• Prepares patients for meals, assists in feeding patients, and distributes water and other nourishment according to patients' needs.
• Performs general care activities for patients in isolation following established procedures.
• Makes rounds, anticipates patients' needs, and responds to patient call lights promptly.
• Assumes responsibility for patients' clothing and personal property (prosthetic devices, hearing aides, glasses, etc.), securing items in accordance with established procedure.
• Assists with or transports patients, as necessary.
• Collects appropriate specimens, labels properly and transports to proper area in a timely manner.
• Reports and/or records any changes observed in condition or behavior of the patient.
• Ensures accurate documentation on flow sheets.
• Initiative and Dependability Independently performs assigned duties, assists staff in deliver of more complex treatments and procedures.
• Recognizes and performs duties which need to be performed, although not directly assigned.
• Seeks guidance and direction, as necessary, for performance of duties.
• Recognizes and responds to priorities in the patient care process.
• Maintains a clean and safe environment for patients.
• Maintains equipment assigned to patient care and reports malfunctioning of equipment to appropriate personnel.
• Demonstrates initiative.
• Has the willingness and ability to perform additional duties and responsibilities in different areas of the department or different departments on an as-needed basis or as determined by management.
• Follows established hospital and department policies.
• Demonstrates the philosophy of team concept.
• Participates in group projects and staff meetings with suggestions with suggestions that enhance the work environment and increase productivity.
• Maintains confidentiality as related to job responsibilities.
• Exhibits willingness to resolve problems as they arise.
• Consistently projects positive professional image through appearance and behavior.
• Attends 75% of staff meetings or reads and initials minutes.
• Completes assigned work within shift.
• Complies with time and attendance policy.
• Assists in the orientation of new personnel to the unit.
• Acts as a buddy for new and/or registry staff.
• Customer Service As observed, all interactions are conducted in a professional manner; is supportive and consistently demonstrates customer service standards.
• Verbal and written feedback from patients, family members/significant others, medical staff, visitors and co-workers indicates behavior conducive to positive guest relations.
• Consistently exhibits appropriate phone protocol (e.g., answers phone promptly by the 3rd ring, is courteous and helpful).
• Consistently contributes to the team effort (e.g., assists co-workers when need is observed or when required; offers constructive suggestions and ideas, rather than complaints).
• Consistently displays a cheerful and positive attitude.
• Consistently strives to understand, anticipate and meet the needs, expectations and satisfaction levels of patients and other customers.
• Improvement Is aware of and participates in the performance improvement activities of the department.
• Professional Conduct, Growth and Development Completes Annual Updates and Ethics Training within established time frames.
• Completes general and departmental orientation within established time frames.
• Attends 80% of inservice programs.
• Maintains licensure/certification as appropriate.
• Geriatric Evaluates for age appropriate behavior, motor skills and physiological norms.
• Aware of need for additional safety measures, e.g., side rails, posey vest, etc.
• Maintains skin integrity; provides care according to plan/direction.
• Adolescent, Middle Adult & Geriatric Demonstrates ability to perform patient treatment and activities, e.g., assisting in feeding patient, provides AM care, changing bed linen, recording V/S and I/) accurately, ambulating patient.
• Recognizes and communicated to licenses nurse any changes observed in condition or behavior of patient.
• Demonstrates knowledge of physiological deficits in association with the aging process, e.g., sensory, communicative, cognitive, behavioral.

Requirements

• Recognizes the patient's need to have control over his/her environmental, knowledge and understanding of medical conditions including plan of care, prognosis and discharge plan.
• One year acute care experience preferred.
• Current C.N.A. certificate and BLS required.

Age-Specific Competencies Data Collection/Age-Appropriate Care: Adolescent Aware of signs/symptoms of abuse or neglect.

Aware of signs/symptoms of abuse or neglect.

Recognizes appropriate mobility limitations, e.g., use of abductor pillow, log rolling and traction. Knowledge of Growth and Development - Adolescent, Middle Adult & Geriatric Recognizes the need to provide reassurance and help in accepting body changes; is non-judgmental and accepting of behavior.

Unit-Specific Competencies (DOU & Med/Surg) Use of restraints Positioning orthopedic patients (i.e., total knee/hip) Qualifications Minimum Education: High school graduate or equivalent preferred.