Certified Nursing Assistant

Job Summary:

The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) assists licensed nursing personnel in the provision of nursing care. They will complete their tasks/duties under the supervision and direction of an assigned Registered Nurse (RN) and/or the Charge RN. CNA works with and supports the nursing team in providing services, which meets the patients and unit needs. All tasks will be carried out according to patient and family needs in relation to age-specific and age-appropriate levels of care.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Under the supervision of a licensed nurse the CNA can provide care and assist patients with the following tasks:
• PATIENT CARE TASKS
• Safety Needs - Use of:
• Hourly Rounds
• Participate in Unit fall prevention program
• Participate in workplace Safety program
• Patient mobility safety alarms
• Lifting Equipment
• Bed Rails
• Bed Level
• Isolation and Personal Protective Equipment
• Chemotherapy Precautions
• Oral pharynx suctioning
• Patient surveillance assignment
• Restraints
• Personal Hygiene Needs:
• Oral/mouth care
• Bed bath
• Shower
• Sitz Bath
• A.M./P.M. Care
• Peri-Care
• Routine skin care, applying over-the-counter creams and ointments for prophylactic treatment of skin conditions
• Apply pediculocides and comb hair to remove nits.
• Comfort Measures:
• Passing and refilling water pitchers
• Catheter care, including applying and removing condom catheters
• Daily linen change
• Post-mortem care, as assigned
• Use of nursing comfort skin care products (NOTE: Does not include products obtained from Pharmacy)
• Unhooking and re-hooking of NG tubes during ADLs
• Warm and cold therapies including warm and cold compresses, ice bag, ice collar, ice glove, dry code pack, heated soaks and whirlpool or sitz bath
• Nutritional Needs:
• Preparation of patient meal trays, snacks and fluids as directed by the RN
• Feeding techniques
• Weighing (standing, chair scale, bed scale, sling scale)
• Patient Transport:
• To procedures, to other units and for discharge as directed by Primary Nurse and/or Charge RN
• Patient Equipment:
• Apply sequential compression devices
• Assist patients in and out of Continuous Passive Motion machines
• Pelvic traction
• Cervical collar
• Charnley pillow
• Overhead frame/trapeze
• Vital sign monitoring equipment
• Patient lift and/or transfer equipment (Hover Mats, Sara Lift, Cardiac Chair)

Other Tasks/Duties:

• Bladder scanning
• Collect clean catch urine specimen
• Obtain a sterile urine specimen from the port of a catheter
• Assist patient with coughing and deep breathing
• Suction oral pharynx
• Equipment cleaning
• Battery changes of equipment
• Specimen collection and transport
• Unit duties as assigned

DATA COLLECTION Vital Signs:

• Temperature, pulse and respirations
• Blood pressure - manual and electronic on upper arm, thigh, and lower leg, including orthostatic blood pressure readings
• Pulse Oximetry
• Height and weight
• Measure, record and/or empty output from drainage devices and closed drainage systems

Documentation: CNAs are to record data collected and duties performed on the following documents according to hospital policy:

• Intake and output sheet
• Calorie count sheet
• Flow Sheets as appropriate (for example, restraint flow sheet, 24-hour flow sheet
• Graphic Sheet
• Signature ID sheet
• Admitting database (profile, day of event summary, outpatient procedure form
• Document Flow Sheet for Patients under 1:1 Observation

Communication:

• Utilizes appropriate verbal and nonverbal skills which demonstrate respect for patients, patients property and coworkers.
• Notifies RN of patient need for modification devices for decreased sensory or cognitive function (glasses, hearing aid, TDD, closed caption TV).
• Informs RN of recognized abnormalities in signs and symptoms.
• Demonstrates an understanding of age-appropriate care for the population being served.