CNA - Med Surg (PRN)

Ohio County Healthcare • Hartford, KY

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The CNA works in a hospital acute-care setting and may also care for swing-bed patients. Under the direction of the Charge Nurse, the CNA performs assigned patient-care tasks for patients of all age groups, supporting patient comfort, safety, and the delivery of care in accordance with hospital and nursing policies, procedures, legal requirements, and the CNA’s scope of practice. The role requires effective communication, teamwork, and customer relations consistent with the hospital’s purpose, vision, and values.

Duties include assisting with activities of daily living and personal care; monitoring and recording vital signs, intake and output, height, and weight as assigned; collecting and transporting specimens; assisting with meals and documenting intake; keeping patient areas clean and safe; and reporting patient-condition changes, hazards, equipment problems, and other concerns to the appropriate nurse. The CNA also responds to emergency codes and participates in assigned disaster response or drills.

The work takes place in a well-ventilated hospital area and involves standing, walking, turning, bending, stooping, and lifting. Lifting up to 50 pounds may be required; heavier lifts should be completed as a team or with a lifting aid. The role involves exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may involve occasional exposure to radiation during radiology procedures and to cleaning and disinfecting chemicals. Employees must follow the hospital’s Code of Conduct, policies and procedures, confidentiality and HIPAA requirements, workplace-safety practices, mandatory training, and annual compliance education.

Requirements

• Minimum high school diploma or equivalent; a GED agreement to obtain the credential within six months may be allowed.
• Active CNA license in the state of Kentucky, or one year of experience as a nurse’s aide.
• BLS provider certification, or obtain it within six months of hire.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with patients, families, and team members.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions.
• Ability to perform the physical demands of the role, including standing, walking, turning, bending, stooping, and lifting up to 50 pounds; heavier lifting requires a team lift or lifting aid.

Nice To Haves

• One year of experience as a nurse’s aide.

Responsibilities

• Perform assigned care for acute-care and swing-bed patients of all age groups, including feeding, bathing, oral care, positioning, ambulation, and transportation.
• Obtain and record temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, intake and output, height, and weight as assigned.
• Obtain linens, make beds, and keep patient areas neat, clean, and safe.
• Attend to patient comfort and promptly inform the nurse in charge of patient needs or changes in condition.
• Transport patients for admission, transfer, and dismissal safely and promptly.
• Lift, turn, and position patients, maintain proper body alignment, and assist with transfers or ambulation as requested.
• Place intake-and-output records at the bedside as assigned and accurately record intake and output.
• Empty Foley catheter bags and other assigned drains, and record output accurately.
• Collect specimens using the correct procedure, label them in front of patients, and transport them to the laboratory according to policy.
• Provide bathing, skin care, shaving, hair washing, and other personal care as appropriate to the patient’s condition and provider’s direction.
• Demonstrate competency in assigned procedures, including enemas, hot or cold compresses, soaks, and intermittent compression stockings.
• Prepare patients for meals, deliver and set up meal trays, feed patients as indicated, and record the percentage eaten in the medical record.
• Provide fresh water and oral-care supplies or assistance to assigned patients.
• Turn assigned bed patients at least every two hours when they cannot turn themselves.
• Maintain patient privacy during treatment and throughout hospitalization.
• Use appropriate safety precautions, including lowering and locking beds, positioning bed rails and call lights, and keeping personal items within patient reach as indicated.
• Report faulty equipment, infection or safety hazards, and Environment of Care risks to the Charge Nurse.
• Use equipment and supplies safely and efficiently, follow charge-capture processes, and complete required event reports as soon as possible and no later than the end of the shift.
• Know and respond appropriately to emergency codes; report to the assigned area during disaster drills or disasters and carry out assigned duties.
• Use proper body mechanics, follow waste-segregation practices, and help reduce clutter in the work environment.
• Apply patient-specific, age-appropriate safety guidelines and verify that patient identification bands are in place, including Kanga bands for pediatric patients.
• Request needed supplies or equipment from the Charge Nurse and remain accountable for patient safety while performing duties.

What This Job Offers

• Education Level: High school or GED