NURSING ASSISTANT- FT Days

The Certified Nursing Assistant plays a crucial role in delivering high-quality patient care for all ranges within the unit. This position involves assisting registered nurses and other healthcare professionals in providing direct and indirect patient care in an acute hospital setting. The ideal candidate will demonstrate compassion, strong communication skills, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment. The nursing assistant will support the nursing team in maintaining a safe, clean, and comfortable environment for patients, ensuring that their physical and emotional needs are met. Demonstrates flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure.

Essential Duties

• Patient Care Assistance: Assist patients with activities of daily living (ADLs), including bathing, dressing, grooming, feeding, Intake/output, and toileting. Answer call lights promptly, and relay patient concerns to the nursing team.
• Vital Signs Monitoring: Accurately measure and record patients' vital signs, such as blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, weights, and blood sugars as needed. 
• Patient Mobility: Assist patients with mobility, including turning, repositioning, transferring, and ambulation, using proper body mechanics and safety techniques/equipment.
• Patient Safety: Observe and report any changes in patients conditions to the nursing staff. Ensure the safety and comfort of patients by following established protocols. Utilize restraints and assistive devices appropriately. Assist with emergency codes as needed.
• Documentation: Document patient care activities and observations in the electronic health record (EHR) system in a timely and accurate manner.
• Specimen Collection: Collect specimens such as urine and stool for laboratory testing as directed by nursing staff.
• Infection Control: Adhere to infection control procedures, including hand hygiene, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and environmental cleaning.
• Equipment Handling: Assist with the setup, operation, and cleaning of medical equipment as directed by the nursing staff.
• Patient Experience: Engage with patients and their families in a manner that promotes comfort, trust, and understanding. Address patient concerns with empathy and professionalism, striving to create a positive and supportive environment that fosters a sense of security and well-being.
• Employee Experience: Contribute to a positive and collaborative work environment. Offer constructive feedback and assistance to peers, and engage in open communication to promote a culture of mutual respect and teamwork.
• Team member will maintain annual education requirements for hospital-based certifications (e.g. DNV CARF and or others).

Non-essential Duties

• Clerical Support: Assist with basic clerical tasks such as answering phones, filing, and assisting with paperwork.
• Supply Management: Maintain and stock patient care supplies and equipment in designated areas.
• Environmental Maintenance: Assist in maintaining a clean and organized work environment, including tidying patient rooms and common areas.

Preferred Experience

• Previous experience in a hospital or acute care setting is preferred but not required.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with the healthcare team.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Basic computer skills for documentation in electronic health records preferred.

Required Licensure/Education

• CNA certificate registered with the State of Illinois or equivalent.
• Current CPR certification or obtainment within 6 months of hiring with subsequent recertification preferred.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Preferred Education

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure/Sensory Requirements:

• Exposure:
• Chemicals: Refer to MSDS sheets
• Video Display Terminals: Average
• Blood and Body Fluids: Depends on patients diagnosis, exposure to urine, blood, stool, vomitus, AIDS, Herpes.
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: High risk-sputum, secretions, coughing. Likelihood of exposure can be reduced with universal precautions.

Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch):

• Speech: Required to communicate with patient/families/staff/doctors, coworkers, ancillary personnel and other department heads. Ability to ask for help. 
• Vision: Required to observe patients; reading equipment and dials. 
• Smell: Helpful to note presence of incontinence, vomitus, blood; electrical/fire safety. 
• Hearing: Necessary to hear alarms, yells for help and to hear patient verbalizations. 
• Touch: Contact with patients, need to distinguish between hot and cold.

Activity/Lifting Requirements:

Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:

• Sit: 10%
• Twist: 5%
• Stand: 45%
• Crawl: 0%
• Walk: 25%
• Kneel: 0%
• Lift: 6%
• Drive: 0%
• Squat: 2%
• Climb: 1%
• Bend: 5%
• Reach above shoulders: 1%

The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the continuum described below:

• Up to 10 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 20 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 35 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 60 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 75 lbs: Not Required
• Up to 100 lbs: Not Required
• Over 100lbs: Not Required

Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements: Lifting of patients off their beds that are unable to move independently is done with assistive lifting equipment. Horizontal movement of patients to and from carts/beds who are unable to move independently is done with assistive lifting equipment. Lifting equipment - carry 25'- 150' waist high (IV bags, patient trays). Carry charts 25'- 150' waist high. Filled laundry bags are filled half full so as not to weigh over 35 lbs. Carry fire extinguishers down 1/2 flight of stairs or up 3-4 flights of stairs and several yards in an emergency.

Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:

• Sit: 30
• Twist: 15
• Stand: 60
• Crawl: 0
• Walk: 15
• Kneel: 0
• Lift: 5
• Drive: 0
• Squat: 5
• Climb: 1
• Bend: 15
• Reach above shoulders: 5

Repetitive use of hands (Frequency indicated): 

• Simple grasp 15 lbs.
• Pushing & pulling - 50-200 lbs. Occasionally
• Fine Manipulation: taking temperature with probe. Opening juice and milk containers. Opening silverware, soap packages. Handling CS tags. Using writing instruments.

Repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control: Bed lock and cardiac chair - at least 50lbs of pressure. Hydraulic tub lift -at least 50lbs. of pressure.

Environmental Factors and Special Hazards:

• Environmental Factors (Time Spent):
• Inside hours: up to 12
• Outside hours: 0
• Temperature: Normal Range
• Lighting: Average
• Noise levels: Average
• Humidity: Normal Range
• Atmosphere: Odors
• Special Hazards: Chemical -drugs/work with patients receiving chemotherapy-Explosive-oxygen; Radiation-cesium implants and radioactive iodine therapy direct radiation for radiology equipment; mechanical- use of Hoover lift bed scales, motorized wheelchairs, bathtub lift chair.
• Protective Clothing Required: Gowns, gloves, goggles, masks, HEPA masks for TB.