Nursing Assistant Day Shift

About the role

Full time position with benefits eligibility. Schedule: 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m., every third weekend.

Responsibilities

• Introduces self and role to patient at start of shift; provides fresh pitcher of water (if not NPO).
• Places call light and phone within patient’s reach.
• Listens to patients and solicits information about their needs.
• Involves patients in decisions about their daily care (e.g., bathing preferences).
• Answers call lights and assists with elimination needs.
• Provides morning or evening care: bed bath or bathing assistance, oral care, hair care, shaving as needed.
• Straightens patient’s room and changes bed linens.
• Transports, transfers, lifts, and positions patients as directed; ambulates non–bed-ridden patients up to four times daily unless otherwise directed.
• Feeds patients as needed; collects and transports specimens to the lab; transports equipment, supplies, specimens, and pharmacy items.
• Communicates with patients, families, and health-care professionals in a positive and respectful manner; addresses and resolves customer complaints.
• Receives shift report; prepares NPO list and hangs NPO sign above patient’s bed when indicated.
• Participates in admission, transfer, and discharge processes under the supervision of the registered nurse: sets up patient rooms, assists with gowning, ensures patient identification band placement, assists with transfers or discharges, accounts for patient belongings, and communicates special needs to the receiving unit.
• Maintains a clean, safe unit environment: responds to call lights, demonstrates ability to respond to emergencies, uses proper body mechanics, removes discontinued equipment, reports unsafe/malfunctioning equipment, cleans and disinfects equipment, restocks rooms, and practices infection-control policies.
• Takes and records vital signs, weight, height, intake and output as directed; notifies RN of abnormal results.
• Provides appropriate skin care and reports areas of pressure, redness, or abrasions.
• Documents patient information on appropriate forms; acts as patient/family advocate by providing comfort, assistance, and information; communicates concerns to nursing staff.
• Provides end-of-shift report to the next assistant.
• Participates in efforts to monitor and improve departmental CQI indicators; submits ideas for improving quality.
• Schedules and completes requisite training hours each quarter; develops and tracks a learning plan on a learning log; attends all required department and hospital in-service orientations and meetings.
• Submits “Dynamite ideas” to leadership; participates annually in hospital-wide or departmental DIG; implements Just-Do-It initiatives.
• Interacts with coworkers in a team atmosphere; participates in hospital-wide TNT activities and departmental recognition/socialization events; attends all departmental staff meetings; establishes and maintains effective working relations with all associates.
• Participates in efforts to improve productivity and submits ideas for improving productivity; participates in efforts to contain costs or generate revenue and submits related ideas.

Requirements

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Ability to read, write, and follow instructions.
• Good communication and courteous, professional interpersonal skills.
• Basic math calculation skills.
• CPR (Heart Saver) certified within six months of employment.
• Certification as a Nursing Assistant by the State of Illinois.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Ability to communicate with customers.
• Bilingual skills desirable.
• Ability to push and pull equipment associated with duties.
• Ability to perform medium lifting: 20–50 pounds occasionally, 10–25 pounds frequently, up to 10 pounds constantly.
• For patient lifts over 35 pounds or when the patient cannot assist, patient-handling equipment must be used with at least one other associate when available; unique situations assessed case-by-case.