Nurse Assistant - Boone, United States - UNC Health Appalachian

Description

Position Summary

As a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in the Intermediate Care Unit (IMCU) at Watauga Medical Center, you will provide direct patient care and support to individuals requiring intermediate-level medical and nursing care. Working under the direction of registered nurses and healthcare providers, you will assist in the delivery of high-quality patient care, ensuring the safety, comfort, and well-being of patients in the IMCU. Your compassionate demeanor, clinical skills, and dedication to patient-centered care will contribute to the overall excellence of our healthcare team. Key Responsibilities include:

1. Provide basic nursing care and assistance to patients in the Intermediate Care Unit (IMCU), including activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, toileting, and feeding.
2. Assist patients with mobility and ambulation, including transferring to and from beds, chairs, and stretchers using proper body mechanics and assistive devices as needed.
3. Take and record vital signs, including temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and respirations, and report any significant changes or abnormalities to nursing staff.
4. Assist with the implementation of patient care plans, including positioning, turning, and repositioning patients to prevent pressure ulcers and promote comfort and circulation.
5. Perform basic nursing procedures under the direction of licensed nurses, such as wound care, catheter care, and collection of specimens for laboratory testing.
6. Assist with patient admissions, transfers, and discharges, ensuring all necessary paperwork and documentation are completed accurately and promptly.
7. Provide emotional support and companionship to patients, engaging in conversation and activities to promote a positive patient experience and alleviate feelings of loneliness or anxiety.
8. Collaborate with nursing staff and other healthcare team members to ensure continuity of care and effective communication regarding patient status and needs.
9. Maintain cleanliness and organization in patient care areas, including patient rooms, hallways, and nursing stations, to ensure a safe and hygienic environment for patients and staff.
10. Adhere to all hospital policies, procedures, and safety regulations, including infection control practices and patient confidentiality guidelines.

Compensation is commensurate with education and experience. Hiring compensation ranges from $16.00-$23.20 per hour. This position is eligible for shift differential on top of base rate of pay. Benefits eligble after a 60-day waiting period.

Minimum Education

• High School Diploma is required at time of hire.
• Successful completion of an accrediated CNA Program licensed in the State of North Carolina.

Experience

• Previous experience as a CNA is preferred, but not required.

Required Registration/License/Certification

• Certified as a Certified Nurse Assistant in the State of North Carolina.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) issued from the American Heart Association is required at time of hire.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of scope of a CNA and experience in the field.
• Ability to communicate courteously and effectively with the public, patients, family, staff, and physicians; acts within the chain of command, utilizing positive verbal and non-verbal skills.
• Ability to resolve conflict and maintain integrity in occasional high-stress situations in a ever-changing environment.
• Knowledge of the continuum of care.
• Ability to demonstrate exceptional customer service to patients, family, staff, and physicians.
• Computer skills including data entry and the EMR.

Physical Demands

• Lifts, positions, pushes, pulls, and/or transfers up to and greater than 50 pounds
• Manual dexterity and mobility
• Prolonged, extensive or considerable sitting/standing/walking
• Bending, squatting, twisting, and turning
• Near acuity: ability to see clearly at 20 inches or less

Working Conditions

• Regularly exposed to the risk of bloodborne diseases
• Frequently exposed to hazards from electrical/mechanical/power equipment, odorous chemicals, and specimens and unpleasant elements (accident, injury, slippery surfaces, uneven surfaces), etc.
• Subject to irregular hours (days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays) and emergencies
• Continuous standing and walking long periods = to or greater than > 8 hours per shift
• Continuous sitting for long period =to, or, greater than > 4 hours
• Speaking, reading, and writing, expanded > 8 hours per day
• Exposed to vibration and cramped spaces > 1-hour day
• Frequently mobilizes patients > 4 hours per day
• Frequently per shift: lifts, carries, pushes, and/or pulls > 50 lbs.
• Frequently per hour: bends, squats, kneels, twists, turns, and reaches
• Frequently per minute: hand, finger, and wrist repetition and moderate dexterity
• Frequently per hour: exposed to soft voices > 3 feet away
• Frequently per hour, exposed to close eye workInfrequently per shift: may be exposed to Ionizing/nonionizing radiation exposure, including x-ray and microwave

About UNC Health Appalachian

It's official - UNC Health Appalachian earned an "A" in the fall 2023 Leapfrog Patient Safety Grades UNC Health Appalachian, the leader for healthcare in the High Country, comprises three hospitals, 13 medical practices, Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center, The Rehabilitation Center, and Appalachian Regional Healthcare Foundation. UNC Health Appalachian stays committed to promoting health in the High Country, enhancing quality of life, and simply "making life better."

About UNC Health

UNC Health is a state entity and an affiliated enterprise of the University of North Carolina system, comprised of 14 hospitals, 18 hospital campuses and more than 500 clinics along with the clinical patient care programs of the UNC School of Medicine (SOM). It exists to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others we serve and to further the teaching mission of the University of North Carolina SOM. Over the past three years, UNC Health has provided more than $400 million in uncompensated or charity care to the citizens of North Carolina. Our hospitals have received numerous awards and recognition for quality care, patient safety and the overall patient experience. For more information, please visit

UNC Health Appalachian embraces diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status. We value a workforce that reflects a variety of backgrounds and perspectives, as it enhances our ability to provide outstanding care. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences. UNC Health Appalachian is committed to providing a fair and inclusive hiring process and a workplace where all team members feel respected and empowered. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us.

Employment at UNC Health Appalachian is contingent upon successful completion of a background and drug screen.

For accommodations or additional information, contact