NURSING ASSISTANT- FIFTH EAST (PT Nights)

About the role

The Certified Nursing Assistant plays a crucial role in delivering high-quality patient care for all ranges within the unit. This position involves assisting registered nurses and other healthcare professionals in providing direct and indirect patient care in an acute hospital setting. The ideal candidate will demonstrate compassion, strong communication skills, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment. The nursing assistant supports the nursing team in maintaining a safe, clean, and comfortable environment for patients, ensuring their physical and emotional needs are met.

Responsibilities

• Assist patients with activities of daily living (ADLs), including bathing, dressing, grooming, feeding, intake/output, and toileting.
• Answer call lights promptly and relay patient concerns to the nursing team.
• Accurately measure and record patients' vital signs, such as blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, weights, and blood sugars as needed.
• Assist patients with mobility, including turning, repositioning, transferring, and ambulation, using proper body mechanics and safety techniques/equipment.
• Observe and report any changes in patients' conditions to the nursing staff. Ensure patient safety and comfort by following established protocols.
• Utilize restraints and assistive devices appropriately. Assist with emergency codes as needed.
• Document patient care activities and observations in the electronic health record (EHR) system in a timely and accurate manner.
• Collect specimens such as urine and stool for laboratory testing as directed by nursing staff.
• Adhere to infection control procedures, including hand hygiene, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and environmental cleaning.
• Assist with the setup, operation, and cleaning of medical equipment as directed by the nursing staff.
• Engage with patients and their families in a manner that promotes comfort, trust, and understanding. Address patient concerns with empathy and professionalism.
• Contribute to a positive and collaborative work environment. Offer constructive feedback and assistance to peers, and engage in open communication to promote a culture of mutual respect and teamwork.
• Maintain annual education requirements for hospital-based certifications (e.g., DNV, CARF).
• Assist with basic clerical tasks such as answering phones, filing, and assisting with paperwork.
• Maintain and stock patient care supplies and equipment in designated areas.
• Assist in maintaining a clean and organized work environment, including tidying patient rooms and common areas.

Requirements

• CNA certificate registered with the State of Illinois or equivalent.
• Current CPR certification or obtainment within 6 months of hiring with subsequent recertification preferred.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Previous experience in a hospital or acute care setting is preferred but not required.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with the healthcare team.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Basic computer skills for documentation in electronic health records preferred.

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure/Sensory Requirements

• Exposure to Chemicals: Refer to MSDS sheets.
• Video Display Terminals: Average.
• Blood and Body Fluids: Depends on patient diagnosis; exposure to urine, blood, stool, vomitus, AIDS, Herpes.
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: High risk—sputum, secretions, coughing. Likelihood of exposure can be reduced with universal precautions.

Sensory Requirements

• Speech: Required to communicate with patients, families, staff, doctors, coworkers, ancillary personnel, and other department heads. Ability to ask for help.
• Vision: Required to observe patients; reading equipment and dials.
• Smell: Helpful to note presence of incontinence, vomitus, blood; electrical/fire safety.
• Hearing: Necessary to hear alarms, yells for help, and patient verbalizations.
• Touch: Contact with patients; need to distinguish between hot and cold.

Activity/Lifting Requirements

• Average Hours per Week: 40
• Shift: Variable for 24-hour coverage
• Percentage of time during the normal workday:
  • Sit: 10%
  • Twist: 5%
  • Stand: 45%
  • Crawl: 0%
  • Walk: 25%
  • Kneel: 0%
  • Lift: 6%
  • Drive: 0%
  • Squat: 2%
  • Climb: 1%
  • Bend: 5%
  • Reach above shoulders: 1%
• Weight required to be lifted each normal workday:
  • Up to 10 lbs: Frequently
  • Up to 20 lbs: Frequently
  • Up to 35 lbs: Frequently
  • Up to 60 lbs: Occasionally
  • Up to 75 lbs: Not Required
  • Up to 100 lbs: Not Required
  • Over 100 lbs: Not Required
• Lifting and Carrying Requirements:
  • Lifting of patients off their beds who are unable to move independently is done with assistive lifting equipment.
  • Horizontal movement of patients to and from carts/beds who are unable to move independently is done with assistive lifting equipment.
  • Lifting equipment—carry 25'-150' waist high (IV bags, patient trays).
  • Carry charts 25'-150' waist high.
  • Filled laundry bags are filled half full so as not to weigh over 35 lbs.
  • Carry fire extinguishers down 1/2 flight of stairs or up 3-4 flights of stairs and several yards in an emergency.
• Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:
  • Sit: 30
  • Twist: 15
  • Stand: 60
  • Crawl: 0
  • Walk: 15
  • Kneel: 0
  • Lift: 5
  • Drive: 0
  • Squat: 5
  • Climb: 1
  • Bend: 15
  • Reach above shoulders: 5
• Repetitive Use of Hands:
  • Simple grasp: 15 lbs.
  • Pushing & pulling: 50-200 lbs (Occasionally).
  • Fine manipulation: taking temperature with probe, opening juice and milk containers, opening silverware, soap packages, handling CS tags, using writing instruments.
  • Repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control: Bed lock and cardiac chair—at least 50 lbs of pressure. Hydraulic tub lift—at least 50 lbs of pressure.

Environmental Factors and Special Hazards

• Environmental Factors (Time Spent):
  • Inside hours: up to 12
  • Outside hours: 0
  • Temperature: Normal Range
  • Lighting: Average
  • Noise levels: Average
  • Humidity: Normal Range
  • Atmosphere: Odors
• Special Hazards:
  • Chemical: drugs/work with patients receiving chemotherapy.
  • Explosive: oxygen.
  • Radiation: cesium implants and radioactive iodine therapy, direct radiation for radiology equipment.
  • Mechanical: use of Hoover lift, bed scales, motorized wheelchairs, bathtub lift chair.
• Protective Clothing Required: Gowns, gloves, goggles, masks, HEPA masks for TB.

Benefits

Riverside Healthcare offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards, including:

• Competitive compensation with base pay within the position’s pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training.
• Premium pay such as shift differential and on-call opportunities.
• Opportunity for annual increases based on performance.
• Paid Time Off programs (for 0.5 to 1.0 FTE).
• Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and short- and long-term disability (for 0.5 to 1.0 FTE).
• Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses.
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs.
• Educational Assistance Program.
• Paid Leave Hours accrued as you work (for 0.001 to 0.49 FTE).

Pay

Pay Range: USD $19.02 - USD $23.46 per hour.