A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) provides basic care to patients, assisting them with daily activities they may struggle with due to illness, aging, or disability. CNAs work under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to ensure patients' comfort, safety, and well-being.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Patient Care: Assist patients with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and feeding.
- Vital Signs Monitoring: Take and record vital signs like temperature, pulse, respiration rate, and blood pressure.
- Mobility Assistance: Help patients with mobility by assisting them in walking, transferring from bed to wheelchair, and repositioning bedridden patients to prevent bedsores.
- Basic Medical Procedures: Assist with simple medical procedures, such as wound care, applying dressings, and administering medications as directed by nursing staff.
- Patient Hygiene: Maintain cleanliness and hygiene for patients by changing bed linens, cleaning rooms, and ensuring a sanitary environment.
- Emotional Support: Provide emotional support and companionship to patients, listening to their concerns and helping to alleviate anxiety.
- Documentation: Accurately document patient care activities, changes in condition, and report findings to the nursing staff.
- Communication: Communicate effectively with patients, families, and the healthcare team to ensure continuity of care and address any patient needs or concerns.
- Feeding Assistance: Assist patients with eating, including those with dietary restrictions or swallowing difficulties.
- Observation: Observe patients for signs of physical or emotional changes and report any abnormalities to the supervising nurse.
- Infection Control: Follow proper infection control procedures, including hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and handling of soiled materials.
Skills and Qualifications:
- Certification: Must be a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) with a valid state certification.
- CPR/First Aid: Certification in CPR and First Aid is often required.
- Communication Skills: Strong verbal communication skills to interact effectively with patients and healthcare team members.
- Physical Stamina: Ability to perform physically demanding tasks, including lifting and moving patients.
- Compassion: A caring and empathetic attitude towards patients and their families.
- Attention to Detail: Ability to observe and report changes in patient condition accurately.
- Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively as part of a healthcare team.
- Time Management: Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks efficiently.
Working Conditions:
- Environment: Typically works in healthcare settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and home healthcare.
- Hours: May work full-time, part-time, or on a rotating shift basis, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Physical Demands: Requires standing, walking, bending, lifting, and the ability to assist with patient mobility.