Under the direction and supervision of the registered nurse and in accordance with hospital policies, procedures, protocols, and standards of practice, the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) participates in the delivery of patient care. The role encompasses the provision of direct clinical and support services to patients and families across the health care continuum, functioning as an effective member of the health care team by contributing to the efficient operation of the patient care unit, and accountability for fiscally sound, quality patient/family clinical outcomes.

Position: Certified Nursing Assistant

Department: Float Pool

Schedule: Full Time- 36 Hours, Nights with every other weekend and rotating holiday 7:00pm-7:00am

Location: BMC Brighton

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

Clinical Practice: Under the direction of the registered nurse (RN), performs a variety of appropriately delegated patient care interventions for patients and their families within the scope of his/her role.

• Collaborates with the RN throughout the shift to determine the appropriate work assignment and priorities as well as communicates the status of delegated task completion and outcomes of patient data findings to the RN throughout the shift.

• Maintains timely ongoing verbal communication with RN throughout the shift regarding patient condition. Notifies RN immediately of any significant change in a patient’s condition and/or monitoring alarms (for example: change in vital signs, change in patient’s mental status, abnormal blood sugar, patient fall, patient concerns with care).

• Upon initial contact with patients, visitors, and staff, identifies self as a NA and introduces self to patient by name. Wears appropriate name badge which identifies self as a NA.

• Accurately collects and records patient data (vital signs, intake and output, blood sugar, weights, restraint care/monitoring, other) and complies with hospital documentation standards to ensure a complete and accurate patient record.

• Initiates a prompt response to all patient call lights and seeks assistance from co-workers as appropriate.

• Assists with admission, discharge, and transfer of patients as appropriate for the inpatient or ambulatory area patients. Completes section of the Functional Health Assessment upon admission. Prepares room for admission and ensures patients have appropriate identification bands upon admission and throughout their hospitalization. Transports patients and their belongings, equipment and supplies, as needed and as part of the transfer/discharge process.

• Makes routine patient room rounds to address patient needs.

• Provides and/or assists with basic hygiene including but not limited to: bathing, dressing, mouth care, shaving, whirlpool baths, perineal and bowel care, foley care, application of condom catheters, emptying urinals and ostomy bags and other associated hygiene tasks.

• Provides basic skin care including but not limited to:, back rubs, routine diabetic foot care, application of non-medicated ointments, application of elastic stockings, ace wraps, and venodynes, turning and repositioning patients every two hours, and other associated tasks. 

• Sets up patients for meals and assists them with feeding and opening food containers; maintaining calorie counts and recording intake/output measures (I and Os). 

• When ambulating patients uses safe and proper technique, applies safety devices using hydraulic lifts or bed scale as needed.

• Identifies emergency / crisis situations and initiates appropriate response actions within the scope of her/his role, including immediate communication of such events to the registered nurse.

• Maintains competence in relation to a variety of other technical skills which may include, (depending on unit assigned) but are not limited to:

Support Services: Under the direction of the RN, works cooperatively with all health care team members to provide a variety of support services to meet patient, family, and staff needs within the scope of his/her role.

Work Rules, Standards, & Competency Compliance: Acts in a manner that supports a positive and collaborative work environment and that is congruent with established standards, policies, procedures, and regulations within the scope of his/her role.

• Works cooperatively with all staff members and takes appropriate steps to resolve interpersonal conflicts. Seeks assistance from RN or off-Shift Nurse Manager as needed.

• Participates in staff meetings and appropriate in-services.

• Complies with established practice standards, policies, procedures, protocols, guidelines, and regulations, (for example: DPH, JCAHO, Boston fire codes, OSHA).

• Reviews and is knowledgeable of appropriate policies, procedures and work rules.

• Dresses appropriately according to dress code requirements, including wearing uniform and visible hospital I.D. badge while on duty. 

• Assists in the orientation of new staff; serves as a resource to float staff.

• Adapts to changing patient and unit needs including but not limited to: offers assistance to other team members, floating, adjusting assignments, etc.

• Communicates with charge nurse/supervisor to coordinate break periods with unit activities. Maintains visibility on the unit and does not leave work area without appropriate notification to the RN.

• Delivers care in a non-judgmental, non-discriminatory manner that is sensitive to and demonstrates respect for patient diversity.

• Acts in a manner that protects confidentiality of patient, employee and hospital information at all times.

Care of Unit Environment, Equipment, Materials and Supplies: Performs a variety of environmental and inventory activities to ensure a safe, clean and appropriately equipped environment for patients, visitors and staff within the scope of his/her role.

• Makes routine room rounds to unclutter, clean, and organize patient rooms/areas when needed.

• Checks inventories and restocks/replaces/assembles patient equipment and supplies.

• Appropriately disposes of trash, soiled linens, medical waste & disposable items.

• Maintains appropriate equipment logs and records.

OTHER DUTIES:

• Utilizes hospital’s values as the basis for decision making and to facilitate the division’s hospital mission.

• Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.

• Performs all other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION:

• High School diploma or equivalency.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

• Nursing Assistant License with the state of Massachusetts or Show proof of enrollment in accredited nursing school and completion of the courses "Fundamentals of Nursing I & II" required.

• BLS from the American Heart Association required.

EXPERIENCE:

• At least one year of Nursing Assistant experience required

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Able to communicate verbally and in writing in the English language.

• Able to complete mathematical computations required to perform treatment protocols.

• Able to lift, transfer and move patients.