Certified Nurse Aide - Palliative Care

WINDBER HOSPITAL INC•Windber, PA

18h•Onsite

About The Position

This position is responsible for providing nursing care in the Palliative Care Unit and teaching patients and families the skills necessary to care for themselves at home. This position is also responsible for meeting patient/family needs effectively and efficiently through all life stages and age. PCU CNA’s are responsible for assisting the RN within the realm of the Nursing Assistant Certification with respect to any changes with patients.

Requirements

High school diploma or general education degree (GED)
Valid Nurse Aide certification required.
Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation certification required.
One to three months related experience and/or training preferred.
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals.
Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals.
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
Effective written and verbal communication skills as well as interpersonal skills.
Ability to speak effectively with patients and employees of the organization.
Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume and distance.
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
Ability to deal with problems involving few concrete variables in standardized situations.
Knowledge of body mechanics.
Knowledge of state nursing guidelines and health standards.

Nice To Haves

For those hired prior to June 30, 2002 certification is preferred; not required.
Certification in Palliative Care within 2 years of hire is preferred.
If deemed a driver in your position, a valid Driver’s license and proof of insurance are required. Motor Vehicle Record checks will be performed upon hire, in addition to annually thereafter.

Responsibilities

Monitor vital signs such as blood pressure, temperature, pulse and respiration.
Obtain vital sign readings per shift as needed.
Document vital readings at time of observation and report any changes to the Registered Nurse.
Provide patient care. Bathe, clean incontinent patients, provide mouth and peri-care at least once daily and more often as necessary.
Report and note any skin changes or open areas or any other changes.
Observe and report any changes in breathing or mental status.
Transfer, ambulate and transport patients in a safe manner.
Use proper body mechanics in ambulating, lifting and transferring.
Maintain 100 percent compliance with all Hospital policies/procedures in regard to patient care.
Perform accu-checks with BGM (Blood Glucose Monitor).
Perform BGM daily as ordered by the physician.
Record and document results and report changes to the Registered Nurse immediately.
Maintain quality assurance on BGM per policies.
Provide feeding assistance. Feed patient as needed three or more times per day.
Record for each meal period how the patient ate and document.
Continually ensure the patient room is safe, hallways are safe and an overall safe environment is provided.
Make the patient’s bed.
Remove dirty or soiled linens and replace with clean linens with the patient in or out of bed at least once per day.
Ensure the patient’s comfort and safety.
Perform enemas. Perform the enema while ensuring the patient’s comfort and safety by following policy/procedures.
Report changes and results to the Registered Nurse and record results.
Measure patient intake and output of fluids.
Record the amount of liquid the patient intakes by mouth throughout shift.
Record output and report to the Registered Nurse.
Document results at the end of each shift.
Complete general housekeeping duties. Put away clean linens daily.
Ensure there are enough supplies for the next shift.
Promote a clean and orderly environment.
Re-enforce patient teaching. Daily, restate what the physician or Registered Nurse shows and demonstrates to the patient.
Determine if patient is learning the information.
Provide post-mortem care. Bathe patient as needed.
Provide support to the patient’s significant others.
Must remain up to date, knowledgeable and complaint on all DOH and other applicable regulatory related to your department and area
Patient safety regulations and goals will be followed (i.e., using 2 patient identifiers, reporting critical values, medication reconciliation, etc.)
Follow the regulations regarding restraint and seclusion, sentinel event notification, etc.
Attend appropriate educational programs related to regulatory standards, updates and new initiatives
Communication Verbal or written communication with patients, healthcare team members, patient relatives and visitors
Recording or observing resident care information
Answering the telephone and taking messages
Apply cold and warm compresses.
Change simple dressings.
Respond to all codes when called
Restrain patients as directed.
Empty Foley bags and assist patients with using the restroom.
Perform other related duties as assigned or required.
Follow standard precaution guidelines.
Cross train to Home Care Aide.
Retrieve and co-sign blood products with the RN
Remove heplocks and foley catheters
Use of unit equipment
Mandatory dress code
Use of paper and computer documentation