Fulltime Unit Clerk / Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Department: Medical - Surgical

Hours: Fulltime (0.9 FTE) - Day Shift

Description:

Position Overview: The Unit Clerk/Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) performs a combination of clerical and patient care support duties under the direction of the House Supervisor and/or Medical-Surgical Director to support the efficient operation of the Medical-Surgical Unit. This role provides administrative coordination, communication support, and direct patient care within the scope of practice of a CNA, as needed or assigned.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Acts as a receptionist; greets patients and visitors and directs them appropriately.
• Answers telephones and relays messages in a timely and accurate manner.
• Communicates timely and effectively with nursing staff, providers, and ancillary departments.
• Maintains patient records, electronic and paper, in accordance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• Communicate physician orders to appropriate nursing staff and ancillary departments in a timely and accurate manner.
• Prepares and organizes charts for admissions, discharges, and transfers.
• Schedules outpatient services in collaboration with clinical staff.
• Performs discharge follow-up phone calls and relays concerns to appropriate staff.
• Updates digital care boards as directed.
• Performs charge entry and other data entry tasks as required.
• Maintains patient teaching folders.
• Assure that any necessary forms are organized and current.
• Provides direct patient care, including activities of daily living (ADLs), vital signs, and patient support, within the scope of CNA certification and as delegated by licensed nursing staff
• Assists with patient room turnover and preparation following discharge.
• Assign nursing staff to the Vocera and call light systems.
• Assists with administrative duties as assigned by the Medical-Surgical Director, House Supervisor, or other nursing leaders.
• Assists in maintenance of safe, clean work environment.
• Assists with the general operation of the Medical-Surgical Department.
• Places maintenance and IT requests as directed.
• Assists in inventory, ordering, and putting away supplies and equipment.
• Assists other departments as needed or directed.
• Assumes other duties and responsibilities that are related and appropriate to the position and area. The above responsibilities are a general description of the level and nature of the work assigned to this classification and are not to be considered as all-inclusive

Minimum Education and/or Experience Required:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required (or in progress).
• Successful completion of a state-approved Nursing Assistant training program
• Clerical experience preferred.
• Previous healthcare or patient care experience preferred.
• Knowledge of medical terminology preferred.

Additional Qualifications:

• Basic computer skills and ability to learn new systems, experience with electronic health records (EHR) a plus.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Must be able to read, write, comprehend, and verbally communicate in English fluently.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to problem solve and think critically.
• Knowledge of basic patient care principles and practices.
• Ability to assist with activities of daily living (ADLs), including bathing, dressing, feeding, and mobility.
• Ability to take and record vital signs accurately.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively as part of a healthcare team.
• Ability to maintain patient confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA.
• Demonstrates compassion, empathy, and professionalism in patient interactions.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to follow directions and work under the supervision of licensed nursing staff.
• Physical ability to perform patient care duties, including lifting, transferring, and repositioning patients (with assistance as required).
• Ability to operate technologies and equipment associated with this position.
• Commitment to excellent customer service and continuous learning.
• Ability to adapt to change and support organizational initiatives
• Ability to work outside of regularly scheduled hours if needed.
• Ability to operate technologies and equipment associated with this position.
• Must have a service mindset and a commitment to continuous learning.
• Ability to work outside of regularly scheduled hours if needed.

Licensure/Certification Required:

• Current Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification in the State of Iowa (must be active and in good standing on the Iowa Direct Care Worker Registry).
• Basic Life Support (BLS), or ability to obtain within six months of hire.
• Mandatory Reporter training (Adult and/or Child Abuse), or ability to obtain within six months of hire.

Physical/Cognitive Requirements:

• Sit: Frequent
• Stand: Frequent
• Walk: Frequent
• Lift:
  • 10 pounds Frequent
  • 25 pounds: Occasionally
  • 50 pounds*: Occasionally
  • 75 pounds*: Occasionally
  • Greater than 100 pounds*: Occasionally
• Carry:
  • 10 pounds: Occasionally
  • 25 pounds: Occasionally
  • 50 pounds*: Occasionally
  • 75 pounds*: Occasionally
  • Greater than 100 pounds*: Occasionally
• Push/Pull:
  • 10 pounds: Occasionally
  • 25 pounds: Occasionally
  • 50 pounds*: Occasionally
  • 75 pounds*: Occasionally
  • Greater than 100 pounds*: Occasionally
• Squat/Kneel/Crouch: Occasionally
• Climb: Never
• Balance: Occasionally
• Twist: Occasionally
• Bend/Stoop: Occasionally
• Crawl: Occasionally
• Grasp/Grip: Frequent
• Talk: Constant
• Hear: Constant
• See: Constant

• Anything greater than 50 pounds- assist of two or more, or mechanical lift are required.

Environmental Factors:

• May be exposed to communicable diseases due to working in a health care environment.
• Works in a well-illuminated climate-controlled environment.
• Work environment is comfortable, with minimal exposure to physical hazards.
• Moderate noise level when machines/equipment in use but typically quiet environment.
• May come in contact with blood and other body fluids.

Organizational Relationships:

Reports to: Medical-Surgical Director

Employees supervised: None