The Patient Care Sitter/Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) plays a dual role in providing direct observation and hands-on care to patients in an acute care setting. The sitter/CNA ensures patient safety through continuous observation while also assisting with basic patient care tasks. Working under the supervision of nursing staff, the sitter/CNA helps maintain a safe and supportive environment for patients, particularly those at risk for falls, elopement, or self-harm. Demonstrates flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure.

Essential Duties

• Provide continuous, monitoring of patients at risk for injury or harm, ensuring their safety at all times.
• Communication: Notify nursing staff immediately if there are changes in the patient's condition or behaviors.
• Patient Care Assistance: Assist patients with activities of daily living (ADLs), including bathing, dressing, grooming, feeding, and toileting. Answer call lights promptly, and relay patient concerns to the nursing team.
• Vital Signs Monitoring: Accurately measure and record patients' vital signs, such as blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, weights, and blood sugars as needed.
• Patient Mobility: Assist patients with mobility, including turning, repositioning, transferring, and ambulation, using proper body mechanics and safety techniques/equipment
• Patient Safety: Monitor and report any changes in patients' conditions to the nursing staff. Ensure the safety and comfort of patients by following established protocols. Utilize restraints and assistive devices appropriately. Assist with emergency codes as needed.
• Documentation: Document patient care activities and observations in the electronic health record (EHR) system in a timely and accurate manner.
• Specimen Collection: Collect specimens such as urine and stool for laboratory testing as directed by nursing staff.
• Infection Control: Adhere to infection control procedures, including hand hygiene, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and environmental cleaning.
• Equipment Handling: Assist with the setup, operation, and cleaning of medical equipment as directed by the nursing staff.
• Patient Experience: Engage with patients and their families in a manner that promotes comfort, trust, and understanding. Address patient concerns with empathy and professionalism, striving to create a positive and supportive environment that fosters a sense of security and well-being.
• Employee Experience: 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.
• Team member will maintain annual education requirements for hospital-based certifications (e.g. DNV CARF and or others).

Nonessential Job Duties

• Assist with maintaining a clean and orderly patient room, including tidying up and removing clutter.
• Help with transporting patients between departments or to diagnostic tests, as directed by nursing staff.
• Support other unit tasks such as stocking supplies and setting up patient care equipment as needed.
• Participate in hospital training programs and continuing education to enhance patient care skills.

Preferred Experience

• 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.
• 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.

Required Licensure/Education

• Current certification as a Nursing Assistant (CNA) in the state of Illinois is required
• Must have current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association.

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure/Sensory Requirements:

Exposure:

• Chemicals: Refer to MSDS sheets
• Video Display Terminals: Average
• Blood and Body Fluids: Depends on patients' diagnosis, exposure to urine, blood, stool, vomitus, AIDS, Herpes.
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: High risk-sputum, secretions, coughing. Usage of PP equipment, properly fit tested mask, and universal precautions minimize risk.

Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch):

• Speech: Required to communicate with patient/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 to hear 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 the employee is required to:

• 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%

The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the continuum described below:

• 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 100lbs: Not Required

Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements:

• Lifting of patients off their beds that 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 (Frequency indicated):

• 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# of pressure. Hydraulic tub lift -at least 50# of pressure.

Environmental Factors and Special Hazards:

Environmental Factors (Time Spent):

• Inside hours: 6-40
• Outside hours: 0
• Temperature: Normal Range
• Lighting: Average
• Noise levels: Average
• Humidity: Normal Range
• Atmosphere: Odors

Special Hazards:

• Radiation, Chemical. Explosive-Chemical -drugs. Explosive-oxygen; Radiation-cesium implants and radioactive iodine therapy direct radiation for radiology equipment.
• Protective Clothing Required: Gowns, gloves, goggles, masks, HEPA masks for TB.