Health Care System+ CNA Job Description

Purpose of health care agencies

Promote health, prevent disease, detect disease, treat disease, and provide rehabilitation and restorative care

Services provided by health care agencies

Health education, disease prevention, vaccinations, illness management, rehabilitation, and restorative care

Goal of health care agencies for elderly and chronically ill individuals

Help them achieve the highest level of independent living possible

Types of healthcare settings

Hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, long-term care centers, assisted living facilities, mental health centers, home care agencies, and hospice agencies

Inpatient care

Care provided when a person stays in a facility overnight or longer

Outpatient care

Care provided without staying overnight in a facility

Rehabilitation

Helping a patient achieve the highest possible physical, psychological, social, and economic functioning

Restorative care

Care that helps a person regain health, strength, and independence

Interdisciplinary team

Group of healthcare professionals from different disciplines working together to provide quality care

Purpose of the interdisciplinary team

Coordinate care and address all patient needs

Who makes medical diagnoses?

Medical doctor (MD)

Who leads the interdisciplinary team?

Registered Nurse (RN)

Role of the RN

Leads care team, coordinates care, delegates tasks, develops care plans

Role of the LPN

Provides nursing care under RN supervision

Role of the CNA

Performs personal care tasks delegated by the nurse

Role of PT

Develops treatment plans to improve mobility and movement

Role of OT

Develops treatment plans to improve daily living skills

Role of ST

Develops treatment plans to improve speech and swallowing abilities

Role of the dietitian

Monitors and manages nutritional needs

Role of the social worker

Coordinates discharge planning and community resources

Importance of communication within the healthcare team

Ensures continuity of care and better patient outcomes

Importance of building relationships within the healthcare team

Promotes trust, communication, teamwork, and quality care

Chain of command in long-term care

CNA → Unit Nurse → Charge Nurse → Assistant Director of Nursing → Director of Nursing → Administrator

Who should a CNA report concerns to first?

Unit Nurse

RN educational requirements

Complete nursing education program, pass NCLEX, obtain state license

LPN educational requirements

Complete practical nursing program and obtain state license

CNA educational requirements

Complete NATCEP and pass state competency exam

NATCEP

Nursing Assistant Training and Competency Evaluation Program

Who do CNAs assist?

RNs and LPNs

Para-professional

A person delegated professional tasks but not licensed as a fully qualified professional

Components of a CNA job description

Educational requirements, duties, responsibilities, scope of practice, and reporting expectations

CNA responsibilities

Report observations, perform delegated tasks, follow care plans, communicate effectively, ask for supervision when needed

Purpose of a CNA job description

Defines duties, responsibilities, and scope of practice

Importance of understanding a CNA job description

Prevents performing tasks outside the CNA scope of practice

Survey

Process used to determine whether standards of care are being met

Who conducts surveys?

Teams from outside the healthcare facility

What is reviewed during a survey?

Policies, procedures, records, cleanliness, safety, and staff credentials

Who may be interviewed during a survey?

Staff, residents, and families

CNA role during a survey

Provide quality care, protect resident rights, answer honestly, and follow procedures

Most important CNA responsibility during a survey

Keep resident safety first

Professional behavior during a survey

Be respectful, honest, and follow facility policies

Why are surveys important?

Ensure quality care and compliance with regulations