Duties and Responsibilities:

• The Certified Nursing Assistant is responsible for the following duties and responsibilities which are considered essential functions of the position.
• Bathe or assist residents in bathing (bedbath, whirlpool, shower, sitzbath).
• Perform or assist residents with personal grooming needs (shaving, hair care, nail care, oral hygiene, denture care, skin care, and cosmetics).
• Assist residents in dressing and undressing, as needed, in clothing appropriate to the time of day and season of year.
• Assist residential residents in caring for and securing (non-loss) of personal articles, labeling clothing, etc.
• Change bed linen.
• Assist residents in before and after meal routines (wash hands and face, transport to and from dining area, prepare bedside environment for in-room dining, etc.)
• Provide prompt meal time assistance (check diet card for accuracy and position tray for resident’s convenience. Help with cutting food, buttering bread, pouring liquids, etc.)
• Provide partial or total feeding assistance and encouragement as needed.
• Report appetite changes and request substitutions when necessary.
• Provide adequate hydration (pass ice and fresh drinking water, offer fluids frequently, record intake as directed, etc.)
• Provide between meal nourishment when indicated (distribute supplemental nourishment as assigned, provide assistance as needed, accurately record and report intake of nourishment).
• Assist resident in all elimination needs (bedpan, urinal, bathroom assistance).
• Participate in facility incontinence program.
• Perform perineal care after each episode of incontinence.
• Perform catheter care per facility policy.
• Record bowel habits and urine outputs as directed.
• Collect specimens as directed.
• Reposition immobile residents at times and in a manner as instructed.
• Assist resident in transferring from bed, chair, wheelchair, toilet, etc. using appropriate equipment and follow principles of body mechanics (determine number of persons for assist; use gait belt, proflex belt, grab bar, etc.)
• Assist residents in exercise (active/passive range of motion, ambulation, etc.) as indicated by supervisor and individual care plan.
• Help restore independence through teaching and encouragement in ADL skills (eating, dressing, ambulation, toileting, etc.)
• Help prevent complications of decubitus and contractures by placement of position aids, protective padding, etc.
• Maintain resident information and Fountain West internal affairs in strict confidence.
• Assist with training and orientation of new department employees.
• Follow Fountain West policies concerning personal grooming, appearance, and appropriate dress code requirements.

Qualifications:

Education

• High school graduate or GED is preferred. A 75 hour Nurse Aide course is a requirement but certification may be completed after employment begins.
• Nursing Assistants must be able to read, write, and follow written and oral instructions in English.
• All Nursing Assistants are required to complete an annual 12 hour in-service training.

Continuous Education

• All Nursing Assistants are required to complete an annual 12 hour in-service training. Failure to complete the requirements under local, state, or federal law, will be grounds for termination.

Work Experience

• Previous health related experience preferred but not necessary.
• Extensive on the job training is provided

Physical Activity Requirements:

Lifting Requirements

• Nursing Assistants may be required to occasionally lift supplies, charts, and other materials up to 10 pounds.
• Nursing Assistants will frequently be called upon to lift various items between 10 and 50 pounds.
• Nursing Assistants will frequently be required to lift over 50 pounds while transferring residents weighing up to or exceeding 160 pounds.

Carrying Requirements

• Nursing Assistants will occasionally be required to carry various medical charts, supplies, and other materials up to ten pounds.
• Nursing Assistants may occasionally be called upon to carry objects between 10 and 50 pounds.

Sight Requirements

• The Staff Nurse is required to have 20/20 correct vision.

Hearing Requirements

• The Staff Nurse is required to have normal range of hearing, as corrected

Socialization Requirements

• Nursing Assistants are required to maintain good socialization skills in and around residents and other coworkers; maintain a friendly, caring, and cooperative attitude and be able to respond calmly under stressful situations.

Other Physical Requirements

• Nursing Assistants will frequently be called upon for bending, squatting, kneeling, twisting, and crouching. These activities will primarily be utilized during patient care and transferring of residents.