What are the responsibilities and job description for the CNA PRN (As Needed) position at JACKSON COUNTY REGIONAL HEALTH CENTER?
Description
Purpose
Participates in the provision of safe, quality patient care as delegated by the Registered Nurse through support of the standards and philosophies of Jackson County Regional Health Center.
Essential Job Functions
Purpose
Participates in the provision of safe, quality patient care as delegated by the Registered Nurse through support of the standards and philosophies of Jackson County Regional Health Center.
Essential Job Functions
- Patient Care and Monitoring:
- Assisting with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): CNAs help patients with basic needs such as bathing, dressing, grooming, feeding, toileting, and mobility assistance.
- Vital Signs Monitoring: They take and record patients' vital signs, such as blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and respiration rates, and report any abnormal findings to nursing staff.
- Assist with Mobility: Helping patients move, such as transferring from bed to chair, walking, or repositioning in bed to prevent pressure ulcers.
- Monitoring and Reporting Patient Condition: Observing patients for changes in condition and reporting concerns to the nursing staff. This includes noticing signs of distress or discomfort.
- Patient Hygiene and Comfort:
- Bathing and Hygiene Assistance: CNAs assist with patients' personal hygiene, including bathing, brushing teeth, and maintaining oral care.
- Changing Bed Linens: Ensuring that patients have clean bedding and maintaining the cleanliness of the patient’s environment.
- Documentation and Reporting:
- Recording Observations: Accurate documentation of patient information, including vital signs, daily activities, and patient responses to treatments, is vital.
- Reporting Changes: CNAs inform nurses and other healthcare professionals of any changes in the patient's health or behavior.
- Assisting with Medical Procedures:
- Supporting Nurses and Doctors: CNAs may assist in basic medical procedures, such as helping to prepare equipment or patients for procedures, although they are not responsible for performing medical treatments.
- Handling Medical Equipment: Setting up and maintaining medical equipment under the supervision of a nurse.
- Patient Safety and Comfort:
- Preventing Falls and Injuries: CNAs assist in making sure the patient's environment is safe and free from hazards to prevent falls and other injuries.
- Comfort Measures: Offering comfort to patients by providing pillows, blankets, or positioning them in a way that alleviates discomfort.
- Feeding and Nutritional Support:
- Assisting with Meals: Helping patients with feeding if necessary, ensuring they are getting the correct food or fluids, and monitoring their intake.
- Monitoring Dietary Restrictions: Following any prescribed dietary restrictions or modifications based on the patient's health needs.
- Collaboration with Healthcare Team:
- Team Support: CNAs work closely with registered nurses, physicians, and other hospital staff to provide holistic patient care.
- Effective Communication: Communicating patient needs and updates to the healthcare team effectively and promptly.
- Infection Control and Cleanliness:
- Maintaining Clean Environment: Ensuring that the patient’s room, equipment, and surroundings are kept clean and hygienic.
- Following Infection Control Protocols: Adhering to hospital infection control procedures such as hand hygiene, wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), and maintaining sterilized environments.
- Assist with daily activities: CNAs help patients with basic activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and feeding.
- Monitor patients' health status: CNAs take vital signs like blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and respiration rates, and report any changes to the nursing staff.
- Assist with mobility: Help patients move around, including assisting with walking, transferring to/from beds, and using assistive devices (wheelchairs, walkers).
- Positioning patients: Reposition patients in bed to prevent pressure ulcers and ensure comfort.
- Assist with toileting: Help patients use the restroom or assist with the use of bedpans, urinals, or catheters.
- Assist nurses and doctors: CNAs support the nursing team by preparing patients for examinations, assisting with medical procedures, and carrying out simple medical tasks under supervision.
- Help with documentation: CNAs may assist in documenting patient care activities and observations in medical records, ensuring accurate and timely reporting.
- Prepare equipment and supplies: They ensure that medical supplies and equipment are properly sterilized, maintained, and readily available.
- Provide companionship: CNAs offer emotional support to patients, especially those who may feel lonely or anxious, by offering conversation, reassurance, or simply being present.
- Address patient concerns: CNAs may listen to and relay patient concerns to nurses and doctors, ensuring patients’ emotional and psychological needs are met.
- Encourage mobility and rehabilitation: Support patients with physical therapy exercises or encourage them to maintain activity as part of their recovery process.
- Assist with hygiene routines: CNAs help with oral care, bathing, and dressing, ensuring that patients maintain proper hygiene, especially in intensive care settings.
- Infection control practices: They follow strict hygiene and infection control protocols, such as handwashing and using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), to prevent the spread of infections.
- Assist with meals: CNAs help feed patients, especially those who are unable to feed themselves, and ensure they are receiving the correct meals as prescribed.
- Monitor food intake: They may record how much food and fluid the patient consumes and report concerns regarding their nutritional status.
- Ensure patient safety: CNAs observe patients for signs of distress, changes in behavior, or any safety concerns, ensuring patients’ environments are safe (e.g., no fall hazards).
- Prevent falls: They assist with ambulation and positioning to prevent falls and injuries, particularly for patients who are weak, elderly, or high fall risk.
- Report to nursing staff: CNAs report any changes in a patient’s condition, behavior, or symptoms to the nurse or healthcare team, ensuring that appropriate care is provided.
- Work within a team: CNAs collaborate with nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals to ensure that patient care is comprehensive and coordinated.
- Assist with medical procedures: CNAs might assist with basic medical tasks such as applying bandages, changing dressings, collecting specimens for lab tests, and supporting more complex procedures under supervision.
- Transport patients: CNAs may transport patients to different departments or areas within the hospital, including for tests, procedures, or specialist consultations.
- Respond in emergencies: While CNAs are not typically involved in administering advanced medical interventions, they must be prepared to respond quickly to emergencies by alerting the medical team and following basic life-saving procedures (like CPR) if trained to do so.
- Organize supplies and equipment: CNAs ensure that patient rooms are stocked with necessary supplies (like linens, toiletries, and medical materials).
- Assist in patient admissions and discharges: They may help in preparing patients for discharge, ensuring that their personal belongings are packed and transportation is arranged.