CNA II / Client Care Aide II - Bruce McCandless - Florence, CO

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Client Care Aide II at Bruce McCandless State Veterans Community Living Center provides direct, hands-on care to residents of a state-operated skilled nursing facility. The role assists residents with activities of daily living, personal and environmental needs, and self-care, while supporting their comfort, safety, dignity, and individualized care routines. This is a full-time, in-person, essential-services-designated position requiring a valid Colorado CNA license upon entry. The position is open only to Colorado residents, and the recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies. The aide also helps orient and precept new CNAs, offers guidance to Client Care Aide I staff, monitors and reports changes in resident condition, and coordinates with nurses and other care staff. Depending on resident needs, the aide assists with eating and drinking, records food and fluid intake, and identifies residents who may need dietary changes. The position may require transporting lab specimens and driving residents to medical appointments or the hospital in a State vehicle. The employee must attend required and other relevant in-services and workshops to maintain current knowledge under state law, VA regulations, and facility policies.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED and one year of experience in an occupational field related to the assigned work; alternatively, a current, valid Colorado CNA license may substitute for the high school diploma or GED, and current, valid LPN licensure from Colorado or a state participating in the Nurse Licensure Compact may substitute for the experience requirement.
Valid Colorado CNA license upon entry into the position.
State of Colorado residency at the time of application and throughout employment.
Skill in initiating, performing, and completing assigned resident-care duties.
Verbal, listening, and written communication skills for working with health care providers, residents, families, and multidisciplinary team members.
Professional conduct when interacting with staff, residents, families, and the public.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Effective problem-solving skills.
Ability to work effectively with residents with varying physical, mental, and emotional abilities and with staff across multiple facility work units.
Ability to recognize, report, and record relevant resident information and seek RN or supervisor direction in urgent or emergent situations.
Ability to carry out assigned resident care and follow applicable quality standards, procedures, and protocols.
Ability to explain assigned resident-care best practices to less-experienced peers.
Ability to complete the required background checks and screening, including criminal-history checks, reference checks, professional-license verification, and drug screening.
Ability to drive a State vehicle when required.

Nice To Haves

Long-term care or nursing home experience is highly desirable.
Knowledge of specialized client care applicable to the work situation.
Knowledge of quality standards, procedures, and protocols.

Responsibilities

Provide hands-on care or assistance with residents’ activities of daily living.
Arrange or adapt residents’ personal care items and physical environment, including food, clothing, wheelchairs, or walkers.
Guide and instruct residents in self-care activities as needed.
Assist, orient, and precept new CNAs on facility routines, residents, policies, and procedures; provide suggestions and guidance to Client Care Aide I staff, including when caring for residents who resist care.
Recognize changes in residents’ required care or health status and report relevant observations.
Assist residents with eating and drinking when required, including cutting food, feeding, adding thickening agents to liquids, and providing cues or reminders about swallowing techniques.
Record residents’ food and fluid intake on hydration flow sheets and recommend observation of residents who may need dietary changes.
Organize daily work to provide required care despite unexpected occurrences.
Monitor residents’ whereabouts, interactions, condition, and safety needs; refer concerns to the charge nurse when necessary.
Collaborate with the charge nurse and other nursing personnel about resident care status and the effectiveness and appropriateness of treatment care plans; report refusals of hygiene care.
Document observations and care provided in residents’ records.
Deliver lab specimens and, when required, drive residents to medical appointments or the hospital using a State vehicle.
Attend mandatory and non-mandatory in-services and workshops to maintain relevant education.

Benefits

PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus 401(k) and 457 plans
Medical and dental health plans
Employer-supplemented Health Savings Account
Paid life insurance
Short- and long-term disability coverage
11 paid holidays per year, plus vacation and sick leave
State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center
Employee Wellness program
Work-life programs, including flexible schedules and training
Remote work arrangements for eligible positions
Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program