Riverside Healthcare is seeking a compassionate and dedicated Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) to join our Assisted Living and Memory Care team. The CNA will be responsible for providing high-quality, person-centered care to residents, including those with memory impairments such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. This role involves assisting residents with daily living activities, promoting their independence, and ensuring a safe and supportive environment. The ideal candidate will have a passion for elder care, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work effectively in a team-oriented setting. Demonstrates flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure.

Essential Duties

Resident Care:

• Assist residents with daily living activities such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting.
• Provide oral care, skin care, and hair care as needed.
• Help residents with mobility and transferring (e.g., from bed to wheelchair).
• Provide specialized care and support to residents with memory impairments, utilizing techniques to enhance their quality of life and minimize agitation or confusion.

Meal Assistance:

• Monitor and report changes in residents' eating habits or appetite.

Resident Monitoring:

• Regularly monitor residents for changes in physical, mental, or emotional health.
• Report any significant changes or concerns to the Nurse.
• Take and record vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse, and temperature.
• Observe and report any adverse reactions or changes in residents' condition to Nurse. 

Housekeeping & Environment:

• Assist with maintaining a clean, safe, and organized living environment for residents.
• Help with light housekeeping tasks such as bed-making, laundry, and tidying up residents’ rooms.

Documentation:

• Accurately document all care provided and any changes in residents' condition.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to HIPAA guidelines.

Resident Interaction:

• Provide companionship and engage residents in meaningful activities and conversation.
• Support residents' emotional and mental well-being through compassionate care.

Collaboration:

• Work closely with other healthcare team members to deliver consistent and coordinated care.
• Participate in service plan meetings and provide input on residents' care plans.

Organizational Compliance: 

• Adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including those related to infection control, safety, abuse & neglect and resident privacy (HIPAA).
• Mentor and guide less experienced nursing staff and assist with training new employees.
• Promote a positive and supportive environment for both residents and staff.
• Regularly complete all assigned training modules and courses within the Learning Management System (LMS) to stay up to date on required skills, policies, and industry standards.

Non-essential Duties

• Resident Outings: Assist with resident outings and off-site appointments as needed.
• Administrative Support: Provide support with administrative tasks such as inventory management and supply stocking when required.
• Professional Development: Participate in ongoing training and education to enhance skills and stay current with best practices in assisted living and memory care.

Preferred Experience

 • Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to provide compassionate care.

•   Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
•   Physical stamina to assist with resident transfers and other physical tasks.
•   Patience, empathy, and a positive attitude towards working with elderly residents, particularly those with memory impairments.
•   Basic proficiency in using electronic medical records (EMR) systems.

Required Licensure/Education

• Current and valid Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification in the state of Illinois, Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required

Exposure/Sensory Requirement

Exposure to:

• Chemicals: As listed in MSDS manual; chemotherapeutic agents, Disinfectants, room deodorizers, Betadine
• Video Display Terminals: Average
• Blood and Body Fluids: Blood and urine - High risk - administers direct resident care
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: High risk - administers direct resident care

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

• Speech: Needed to communicate with patient families, ancillary staff, MDs (ex: report on patient status, instruct patient/family re: teaching needs, goals.)
• Vision: Needed to see emergency exits/equipment; required to perform assessments of patients status; read orders; operate equipment; change empty bags, recognize and respond to safety
• procedures/emergencies.
• Smell: Needs to note presence of incontinence, emergency situations (fire, smoke) and assessment of drainage for foul smell.
• Hearing: Needed to hear call lights, patient verbalization for assistance, patient concerns, emergency alarms, paging system, communication on telephone and hearing B/P; respond to safety
• procedures/emergencies.
• Touch: Needed to perform percussive assessments and to comfort patients, manipulate tools/equipment; assess skin conditions and assess pulse.

Activity/Lifting Requirement

Shift: Days, Afternoons, or evenings

Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:

• Sit: 10%
• Twist: 20%
• Stand: 30%
• Crawl: 5%
• Walk: 20%
• Kneel: 5%
• Lift: 20%
• Drive: 0%
• Squat: 10%
• Climb: 5%
• Bend: 10%
• Reach above shoulders: 5%

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 100 lbs: Not required

Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements. (Example: the distance material is carried; how high material is lifted, etc.):

Linen, IV equipment, pumps carried waist high from utility rooms/med rooms to patient rooms. Patient trays are carried waist high from corridor to patient room. Patients lifted from cart to bed in

horizontal position. Patients transferred from bed to chair in an emergency, a patient may be lifted from floor to bed. Fire extinguisher at waist height. Reaching above shoulders to equipment in

overhead storage. If more than 35 lbs. is to be moved, the expectation is that the individual will seek help and if applicable use minimal life equipment.

Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:

• Sit: 20
• Twist: 45
• Stand: 60
• Crawl: 5
• Walk: 10
• Kneel: 5
• Lift: 45
• Drive: 0
• Squat: 10
• Climb: 5
• Bend: 10
• Reach above shoulders: 5
• Repetitive use of hands (Frequency indicated):
• Simple grasp Yes 15 lbs. Normal weight: daily
• Pushing & pulling Yes 15 lbs. Normal weight: 50-200lbs daily
• Fine Manipulation: Transfer to wheelchair, writing skills required. Use of equipment, suction /NG, assisting with ADL's - buttoning, zipping, opening cartons, and packages. Repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control: Not required

Environmental Factors &Special Hazards

Environmental Factors (Time Spent):

• Inside hours: 8
• Outside hours : 0
• Temperature: Normal Range
• Lighting: Average
• Noise levels: Average
• Humidity: Normal Range
• Atmosphere: Odors
• Special Hazards: Radiation, Chemical, Other: Occasional exposure to s-ray in patient room to agents, frequent exposure to sharp needles, blades.
• Protective Clothing Required: As required for Universal Precautions special isolation (gloves, gowns, mask).