Certified Nursing Assistant, Inpatient - Serenity House

VNA Health • Santa Barbara, CA

2d • $24 - $25 • Onsite

About The Position

The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) works at Serenity House, VNA Health’s inpatient hospice facility, as part of an interdisciplinary care team. The position provides personalized, hands-on care to patients at the end of life, supporting their comfort, dignity, and well-being and assisting their families. The CNA follows directions from hospice nurses and completes care outlined in each patient’s CNA Care Plan, including rounds every two hours. The role also includes maintaining a clean, safe, and organized facility; documenting care; reporting patient or family changes; assisting with admissions and room preparation; and participating in interdisciplinary meetings, in-services, and skills training.

The schedule is three 12-hour shifts per week, 7:00 AM–7:00 PM. Because Serenity House operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, scheduling may include weekdays, weekends, holidays, and variable shifts based on facility and staffing needs. Employees may also be assigned job-related tasks beyond those listed.

Requirements

• Current and active California Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification.
• Current CPR certification.
• Ability to read and follow written instructions and document care provided.
• Self-directing, with the ability to work with little direct supervision.
• Empathy for the needs of ill, frail, and impaired people; understanding of hospice philosophy and the needs of terminally ill patients.
• Ability to use proper ergonomics and body-mechanics techniques.
• Basic working knowledge and skills with computers; computer skills are an evaluation requirement.
• Reliable transportation.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds, lift arms above the head, push or pull 200 pounds, and transfer 170 pounds.
• Ability to stoop, bend, squat, walk up one flight of stairs, walk one mile, and sit for at least one hour.
• Visual and audio acuity.

Nice To Haves

• One year of experience in a hospital or nursing home setting is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide personal care as directed by the hospice nurse and according to each patient’s CNA Care Plan; round on patients every two hours.
• Maintain a safe, clean patient environment; provide light housekeeping and care for patient rooms and personal equipment, including directed checks and cleaning of specified equipment.
• Set up meal trays, assist with feeding as needed, remove dirty dishes, and maintain the refrigerator by dating and labeling food and removing food older than three days.
• Report changes in patients’ physical or emotional condition, complaints of pain, and changes in family circumstances to the hospice nurse or Serenity House Manager.
• Take patients’ temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure when ordered.
• Maintain records of daily activity and direct care provided.
• Assist patients, families, and caregivers in dealing with terminal care.
• Assist with bathing, toileting, grooming, hair washing, mouth care, skin care, and fingernail care; do not clip toenails.
• Encourage bowel and bladder regularity and assist with toileting.
• Turn and position patients and observe skin to help prevent tissue breakdown.
• Launder patients’ personal laundry when family or friends are unable, clean the washer and dryer daily, and complete facility laundry.
• Follow universal precautions when delivering patient care.
• Maintain a comfortable and safe environment by adjusting lighting and room temperature and changing bed linens as needed; remain alert to safety and accident-prevention factors.
• Assist with ambulation and range-of-motion exercises as instructed by nurses.
• Perform post-mortem care.
• Provide therapeutic touch or complementary therapeutics at a patient’s request.
• Recognize patients’ and families’ emotional status and confer with psychosocial staff as needed.
• Participate in interdisciplinary group meetings, in-services, and skills training to support compliance with JCAHO and CLHF regulations.
• Keep soiled and equipment rooms clean and organized; maintain stocked, organized linen carts and fill and stock peri-wash bottles.
• Maintain and stock contact-precautions carts and unpack and store medical supply deliveries.
• Break down boxes in the trash room and ensure lids remain closed.
• Assist with admissions and room preparation.
• Complete walking rounds with the CNA/HHA from the previous shift and check patients’ and rooms’ conditions.

Benefits

• Eligible employees may receive employer-sponsored dental, vision, basic life, disability, and AD&D insurance coverage.
• Annual wellness reimbursement for eligible fitness and wellness expenses.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Public transportation reimbursement.
• A welcoming, mission-driven workplace where employees’ contributions are valued.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed