Assistant, Nursing

AHMC Healthcare•Whittier, CA

About The Position

The Certified Nursing Assistant assists clinical staff in caring for and treating patients in an acute care setting under the supervision of a licensed nurse. Responsibilities may vary by department assignment. The role collaborates with other professional disciplines to support effective, efficient care and desired patient outcomes, and supports the organization’s vision and mission. The assistant applies knowledge of patients’ ages, developmental status, spiritual needs, and cultural diversity when providing care, and contributes to quality nursing care through performance-improvement practices that demonstrate positive patient outcomes. The position includes direct patient-care activities, teamwork and dependability, customer service, participation in performance improvement, and ongoing professional development. Age-appropriate care includes recognizing relevant developmental and physiological needs, observing and reporting changes in condition or behavior to a licensed nurse, and performing assigned patient-care activities. Unit-specific competencies for DOU and Med/Surg include use of restraints and positioning orthopedic patients, such as total knee or hip patients.

Requirements

Current C.N.A. certificate required.
BLS required.
High school graduate or equivalent preferred.
One year of acute care experience preferred.

Nice To Haves

High school graduation or equivalent.
One year of acute care experience.

Responsibilities

Participate in nursing reports by receiving and contributing to patient-status reports.
Prepare patients and rooms for admission, transfer, and discharge.
Provide morning, evening, and general care according to established procedures to support patients’ physical comfort.
Accurately take and record vital signs, height, weight, and other applicable measurements.
Prepare patients for meals, assist with feeding, and distribute water and other nourishment according to patient needs.
Provide general care to patients in isolation according to established procedures.
Make rounds, anticipate patient needs, and respond promptly to call lights.
Safeguard patients’ clothing and personal property, including prosthetic devices, hearing aids, and glasses, according to procedure.
Assist with or transport patients as necessary.
Collect, properly label, and promptly transport specimens to the appropriate area.
Report and/or record observed changes in a patient’s condition or behavior and ensure accurate flow-sheet documentation.
Perform assigned duties independently, assist staff with more complex treatments and procedures, and recognize duties that need to be done even when not directly assigned.
Seek guidance when needed and respond appropriately to priorities in patient care.
Maintain a clean and safe patient environment and maintain assigned equipment, reporting malfunctions to appropriate personnel.
Be willing to perform additional duties in different areas or departments as needed or as determined by management.
Follow hospital and department policies and demonstrate a team-oriented approach.
Participate in group projects and staff meetings with suggestions that improve the work environment and productivity.
Maintain confidentiality, help resolve problems, and project a positive professional image through appearance and behavior.
Attend at least 75% of staff meetings or read and initial the minutes; complete assigned work within the shift and comply with time and attendance policies.
Assist with orientation of new unit personnel and act as a buddy for new and/or registry staff.
Conduct interactions professionally, follow customer-service standards and appropriate phone protocol, and contribute constructively to teamwork.
Strive to understand, anticipate, and meet the needs and expectations of patients and other customers while maintaining a positive attitude.
Participate in departmental performance-improvement activities.
Complete annual updates, ethics training, general orientation, and departmental orientation within established time frames; attend 80% of in-service programs and maintain applicable certification.
Provide age-appropriate care, recognize signs of abuse or neglect, and observe age-appropriate behavior, motor skills, and physiological norms.
For geriatric patients, recognize the need for additional safety measures, maintain skin integrity, and provide care according to the plan or direction.
Perform assigned treatments and activities such as feeding, morning care, changing bed linens, recording vital signs and intake/output, and ambulating patients.
Recognize and communicate changes in patient condition or behavior to a licensed nurse, and recognize mobility limitations and precautions such as abductor pillows, log rolling, and traction.
Provide reassurance and nonjudgmental support regarding body changes; recognize patients’ needs for control over their environment and for understanding their medical condition, plan of care, prognosis, and discharge plan.
Demonstrate knowledge of physiological deficits associated with aging, including sensory, communicative, cognitive, and behavioral changes.
Demonstrate unit-specific competencies for use of restraints and positioning orthopedic patients, including total knee and hip patients.