Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)
Certified Nursing Assistant – Inpatient (Med/Surg & Psych)
Position summary
The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) provides inpatient support on medical‑surgical and inpatient psychiatric units, delivering direct, hands‑on care with minimal monitoring by a Registered Nurse (RN). The CNA delivers basic, appropriate, and effective interventions that meet individual patient needs in accordance with all facility policies, safety standards, and procedures, and functions as an integral member of the multidisciplinary care team.
Key responsibilities
Provide personal nursing care including feeding, bathing, grooming, toileting, ambulation, lifting, turning, and positioning patients, using safe‑patient‑handling and specialized equipment as required (including patients receiving oxygen or suction therapy).
Obtain, document, and promptly report vital signs and clinical data (temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, pulse oximetry, height, weight, intake/output, blood glucose) and any deviations or changes in condition (e.g., diabetic or uremic coma, insulin shock, GI hemorrhage) to the RN or provider.
Assist providers and RNs with diagnostic and treatment procedures (e.g., lumbar puncture, liver biopsy, bone marrow exams, emergency procedures) by assembling equipment, positioning patients, collecting/labeling specimens, and monitoring patients during and after procedures.
Perform basic treatment tasks such as changing simple dressings; clean and care for equipment used in oxygen and suction therapy and frame beds, and report equipment needing repair.
Provide care for patients with infections and communicable diseases, including those in isolation; care for patients receiving oxygen via cannula, mask, or venti‑mask; support patients receiving chest therapy and postural drainage.
Provide catheter care for patients with condom catheters and indwelling Foley catheters, following infection‑control protocols.
Administer basic life support measures and immediately notify the RN/provider of emergencies.
Verbally contribute information for Nursing Care Plans, document vital signs and observations in the medical record, and assist with completion of admission histories.
Promote patient independence by supervising and encouraging self‑care activities such as eating, dressing, mobility, and application of prosthetic devices and braces.
Reinforce patient education by providing pre‑ and post‑operative instructions based on information given by the RN or provider.
Conduct patient and room inventories (including contraband searches) upon admission and as needed; support ongoing environment‑of‑care safety evaluations.
Serve as a 1:1 Patient Safety Partner when assigned, providing close observation and engagement to ensure patient safety on and off the unit.
Escort and/or transport patients to and from diagnostic studies, procedures, and appointments as required.
Perform EKGs when requested and ensure accurate labeling and routing of results.
Recognize and respond to potentially hazardous conditions or disturbed behaviors; observe, manage, engage, and document behaviors and promptly report concerns to the RN.
Work collaboratively with RNs and the interdisciplinary team, anticipating needs and seeking RN guidance whenever problems or deviations arise that are not covered by the assignment.
Provide care to COVID‑19 positive patients and Patients Under Investigation (PUIs) following all PPE and infection‑control requirements; refusal to care for these patients may result in removal from the assignment.
Schedule:
12‑hour shifts on inpatient units, including the Charleston VA Inpatient Psych unit, with alternating weekend shifts preferred.
Minimum qualifications
Current, active Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification from any U.S. state or territory.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation from an American Heart Association–approved vendor; must be able to demonstrate CPR competence.
At least 1 year of recent experience (worked within the last 6 months) in one or more of the following settings:
Medical/surgical inpatient unit,
Long‑term care or nursing home, or
Inpatient psychiatric unit.
Ability to work safely with medically and psychiatrically complex patients, including those with infectious conditions and those requiring behavioral observation or 1:1 safety support.
Ability to follow written and verbal instructions, document accurately in the medical record, and communicate clearly with RNs, providers, patients, and families.