Certified Nursing Assistant

Overview

The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is responsible for providing care and essential homemaking skills to patients and families in the Hospice Home Care Environment. Must show kindness, compassion, respect, and give thoughtful care to all patients and their families. Have the ability to get along with others. This position is hands on. Must support the Connecticut Hospices vision, mission, and operating principles.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

• We provide quality, compassionate, and competent hospice and palliative care.
• We support families with their decision-making.
• We support families with participation in caring for their loved ones.
• We aid in enhancing the quality of life for all of our patients, for as long as their life lasts.

• Provides care consistent with the needs of the patient and in accordance with the Primary Care Provider’s plan of care, which may include but is not limited to:
• Assisting with bathing, skin, mouth, foot, and hair care, etc.
• Assisting with all transfer activities, ambulation.
• Assisting while using the lavatory, use of a commode, or bed pan.
• Assisting with self-administration of oral medication.
• Assisting with ADLs, i.e., feeding, dressing, undressing.
• Carries out exercise program as prescribed and under the direction of a physical therapist and/or Primary Care Provider.
• Organize and prioritize care.
• Perform tasks with skill and efficiency to meet the individual needs of the patient’s personal care and treatment.
• Approach patients in a kind, gentle, and respectful manner.
• Develop rapport with patients and their families.
• Work with various populations (e.g., pediatric, adult, geriatric) and diverse cultures.
• Promptly reports any changes in patient’s condition to the Primary Care Provider.
• Assist in maintaining a safe, healthful environment for the patient.
• Performs normal home duties essential to health care at home, including meal preparation, laundry, and housecleaning. (Section 19-13-D69 (d) (3) of the Connecticut Public Health Code.)
• Provides adequate documentation of care in a timely manner.
• Records and reports changes in patient health through proper channels and to necessary team members.
• Plan workload and follow schedule.
• Must have the ability to work every other weekend.
• Appropriately use CNA assignment and activity sheets.
• Submit accurate and complete timesheets by deadline.
• Attends/participates in case conferences, in-services, and staff meetings when appropriate.
• Utilizes supervisor as a consultant.
• Review problems of patients with Primary Care Nurse.
• Respect confidentiality.
• Assume responsibility for workload.
• Support the patient and families via the philosophy of The Connecticut Hospice.

• Report and take required action regarding injuries, incidents, medical events, and accidents as required by policy.
• OSHA:
  Tasks involving exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues require Universal Precautions in compliance with blood borne pathogen standards.
• Make health, safety, protection of rights, and development of patients and co-workers your primary responsibilities.
• Effectively manage medical and first aid emergencies.
• Follow all agency safety and medical-related policies and procedures.
• Follow fire evacuation and disaster procedures correctly and in a timely manner.
• Report unsafe situations immediately; ensure safety is imperative.
• Ensure pertinent emergency telephone numbers are readily available.
• Report symptoms and signs of communicable diseases immediately.
• Consistently use universal precautions.
• Report any incident that could potentially result in negative reactions from the community, law enforcement officers, and other agencies to the supervisor immediately.

• Certified Nursing Assistant training and certificate.
• Provide own transportation. Must provide satisfactory proof of insurance.
• Must possess a current, valid Connecticut Driver’s license.
• Must have excellent communication skills and speak in public.
• Must pay attention to details.
• Capacity to maintain accurate records and exercise discretion in handling confidential information.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including at different sites and programs as needed.
• Ability to…