(CNA) CERTIFIED NURSE ASSISTANT

ADULT DAY HEALTH SERVICES – JOB DESCRIPTION

• Department: Adult Day Health / Direct Care Services
• Employment Status: Full-Time / Part-Time / PRN
• Classification: Direct Care Staff

POSITION SUMMARY

The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) provides direct personal care, assistance with activities of daily living, observation, supervision, and supportive services to participants attending the Adult Day Health Center.

The CNA works under the direction and supervision of licensed nursing personnel and center management and provides services according to each participant's Individual Plan of Care, center policies and procedures, assigned duties, training and competency, and applicable requirements.

The CNA is responsible for promoting participant health, safety, dignity, independence, comfort, choice, and participation while promptly reporting changes in participant condition to the Registered Nurse or other appropriate licensed nursing personnel.

The CNA shall not independently perform nursing assessments, diagnose medical conditions, develop nursing plans of care, administer medications, or perform other functions reserved for licensed nursing personnel unless specifically authorized by applicable law and the individual's credentials.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Activities of Daily Living

Provide or assist participants with activities of daily living according to their Individual Plan of Care, including:

Toileting and continence care.

Personal hygiene.

Handwashing.

Oral care.

Grooming.

Dressing.

Eating and drinking.

Mobility and ambulation.

Transfers.

Positioning.

Wheelchair assistance.

Rest periods.

Other assigned personal-care activities.

Encourage participants to perform as much of their own care as safely possible to promote independence and maintain functional abilities.

Participant Supervision and Safety

The CNA shall:

Provide appropriate supervision of assigned participants.

Maintain awareness of participant locations and activities.

Protect participants from injury and unsafe conditions.

Follow participant-specific safety precautions.

Observe participants identified as fall, wandering, elopement, choking, aspiration, seizure, or other safety risks.

Immediately report unsafe conditions.

Never leave participants unattended when supervision is required.

Follow the participant's Individual Plan of Care and staff instructions.

Assist the center in maintaining appropriate direct-care staffing coverage.

Observation and Reporting

The CNA plays an important role in recognizing changes in participant condition.

The CNA shall observe participants for changes involving:

Mental status.

Alertness.

Behavior.

Mobility.

Balance.

Skin condition.

Eating and drinking.

Toileting.

Bowel or bladder patterns.

Pain or discomfort.

Breathing.

Weakness or fatigue.

Swelling.

Falls or injuries.

Confusion.

Functional ability.

Other unusual signs or symptoms.

The CNA shall promptly report significant observations or changes to the RN or other appropriate licensed nursing personnel.

The CNA shall not independently diagnose or treat a participant's medical condition.

Vital Signs and Routine Measurements

When trained, competent, assigned, and permitted by center policy, the CNA may obtain and document routine measurements such as:

Temperature.

Pulse.

Respirations.

Blood pressure.

Weight.

Other routine measurements authorized within the CNA's role.

Abnormal findings or significant changes must be promptly reported to licensed nursing personnel.

The CNA shall not independently interpret findings or make clinical treatment decisions.

Mobility, Transfers and Positioning

The CNA shall:

Assist participants with walking and mobility.

Assist with wheelchair use.

Assist participants with transfers according to established care instructions.

Use gait belts or other approved equipment when trained and required.

Follow participant-specific transfer precautions.

Assist with repositioning when indicated.

Encourage safe mobility and independence.

Use proper body mechanics.

Request additional staff assistance when a participant requires a two-person transfer or other additional support.

Never attempt an unsafe one-person lift or transfer.

Any significant decline in mobility or ability to transfer safely must be reported to licensed nursing personnel.

Meals, Snacks and Hydration

The CNA shall:

Assist participants with meals and snacks.

Set up meals when needed.

Assist with feeding when assigned and trained.

Encourage appropriate fluid intake.

Follow participant-specific dietary instructions.

Follow identified swallowing and aspiration precautions.

Observe participants for difficulty chewing or swallowing.

Immediately respond to and report coughing, choking, difficulty swallowing, or other feeding concerns.

Document intake when required by the participant's plan.

Report poor food or fluid intake to licensed nursing personnel.

Toileting and Continence Care

The CNA shall:

Assist participants to the restroom.

Provide continence care.

Assist with changing clothing or protective garments when necessary.

Maintain participant privacy and dignity.

Follow infection-control procedures.

Observe and report unusual urine, bowel patterns, diarrhea, constipation, bleeding, pain, or other concerns.

Document toileting assistance when required.

Skin Care and Positioning

The CNA shall:

Observe exposed skin during routine personal care.

Assist with positioning and repositioning as directed.

Keep participants clean and dry.

Immediately report redness, bruising, swelling, wounds, pressure areas, skin tears, or other skin concerns to licensed nursing personnel.

Follow established skin-care instructions.

The CNA shall not independently diagnose or treat wounds unless authorized, trained, and acting within the individual's lawful scope of practice.

Activities and Social Engagement

The CNA shall:

Encourage participant involvement in scheduled activities.

Assist participants traveling to and from activity areas.

Assist activity staff as needed.

Provide individual support to participants requiring additional assistance.

Encourage appropriate social interaction.

Promote participant choice and independence.

Observe participant responses to activities.

Report significant changes in participation or behavior.

Medication Safety