Nurse Aide

TABITHA’S PURPOSE:  We empower people to live joyfully, age gratefully.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Each CNA and Med Aide, regardless of title, enhances the living experience for Tabitha’s Seniors/residents/clients (hereinafter, “Seniors/clients”) by performing various care activities and related services as described and in compliance with the comprehensive care plan/service plan objectives. While doing so they will contribute to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of Seniors/clients through respectful, professional, competent and personable interaction. This TEAMember strives to uphold Tabitha’s LIVE2Care Culture and actively embraces Tabitha’s Core Values. By doing so, the TEAMember supports Tabitha goals related to the dignity, respect, independence, competence, autonomy, personal comfort, safety and security of Seniors/clients. In addition, the TEAMember contributes to the success of Tabitha through ongoing collaboration with family members, coworkers, management, volunteers and others in the organization.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Follows through on the comprehensive care plan/service plan as developed for each individual Senior/client.
• Provides assistance with activities of daily living, including but not limited to bathing, dressing, grooming, feeding, toileting, transferring/ambulation and continence. This includes the use of strength, agility and stamina for completion of frequent/continuous transferring of Seniors/clients from and to bed, wheelchair, bathtub/shower, commode etc., often without assistance. Provides therapeutic care as described in the care plan/service plan.
• Assists with Senior/client admissions, discharges, transfers and orientation of new employees.
• Frequently changes bedding when bed is empty or when Senior/client is in bed depending on the situation.
• Follows department protocol for submission of completed documentation, with particular attention to accuracy and timeliness.
• Prioritizes assignments to complete care for Seniors/clients in allotted time making adjustments throughout shift to meet frequently changing/overlapping Senior/client/caregiver/coworker/manager needs, call lights, when necessary. Utilizes strength, agility and stamina to carry out all essential functions safely and effectively. Willingly takes on additional duties during times of peak workload or Senior/client requests.
• Complies with HIPAA regulations regarding privacy by insuring that Protected Health Information (PHI) is safeguarded at all times. In addition, maintains a high level of confidentiality regarding any matter pertaining to any Tabitha Senior/clients.

If working in TNRC Residences/Tabitha at Williamsburg/Tabitha in Crete/Tabitha at Prairie Commons SNF:

• Provides and documents basic therapeutic care not requiring nursing judgement, such as obtaining heights and weights and measuring vital signs.
• Prepares breakfast, snacks and other foods requested by/for Senior/client.
• Processes Senior/client laundry
• Evaluates emergency situations, performing CPR when necessary based on training. Maintains CPR certification, taking refresher courses to continually maintain an active certification at all times.  Is responsible for payment and any fees related to this if the refresher training is not taken at Tabitha (applies to all Med Aides but only applies to CNAs at TNRC Residences on Tabitha’s main campus).

If working in Assisted Living:

• Implements activities for the Seniors/clients.
• Prepares, plates and serves meals, snacks and other foods requested by/for/to Senior/client.
• Assists with cleanup of the dining room when needed and is responsible for housekeeping duties between regularly scheduled cleaning days.
• Processes Senior/client laundry.
• Provides and/or assists with providing Senior/client bathing, while promoting optimum Senior/client independence.

If a Med Aide:

• Prepares and administers medications, treatments, oxygen, inhalers, nebulizers etc. as ordered by the physician and according to facility policies/procedures. Administers PRN medications/treatments under the direction of the RN.  May include Rectal/Vaginal medications, feeding tube medication, administration of insulin, glucometer testing if within scope of practice and directed by RN.
• Maintains Med Aide Certification, pays all fees related to the certification. Takes all steps necessary to be certain that the Med Aide Certification does not ever expire.
• Evaluates emergency situations, performing CPR when necessary based on training. Maintains CPR Certification, taking refresher courses to continually maintain an active certification at all times.  Is responsible for payment of any fees related to this if the refresher training is not taken at Tabitha. 

If a Bath Aide:

• Provides and/or assists with providing Senior/client bathing, while promoting optimum Senior/client independence.

If a Functional Maintenance Aide:

• Performs Functional Maintenance Care tasks on the nursing units including but not limited to strengthening exercise, activities of daily living, ambulation, range of motion and feeding programs strictly observing the techniques and programs established by the therapist and/or Nurse Manager.
• Instructs, motivates and assists Seniors/clients by direction of the nurse with learning and improving functional activities.

BENEFITS:

• Full benefit package including medical, dental and vision (30+ hours per week scheduled)
• Life and disability benefits (30+ hours per week scheduled)
• Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays and Paid Leaves (20+ hours per week scheduled)
• Free on-site TEAMember clinic
• Wellness program

COMMUNICATION: Must be able to speak, read, write, and understand the English language including medical terminology related to the job. Sufficient fluency to be able to understand and follow written or verbal instructions, provide instruction to others, read and understand a care plan/service plan, policies, procedures or other similar documentation, interact successfully with Senior/clients/caregivers, hold a conversation, conduct or participate in meetings, compose professional e-mails or other written communication, prepare legible, accurate and thorough documentation as required by the job and interact with coworkers, customers, vendors, volunteers, managers and family members effectively. Ability to recognize and interpret non-verbal cues. Ability to respond calmly and clearly to emergencies and emotional situations.PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to gain access to the work area and then safely perform the duties of the job while utilizing standard and specialized equipment, including but not limited to the equipment described below. Physical stamina with the ability to perform duties while moving about the work area for the entire shift with few opportunities to sit down and with little or no break between tasks. Strength and agility sufficient to frequently and continuously lift, push, pull, reach, squat, kneel, bend, carry, twist, pinch, grasp, climb stairs while performing duties (such as bathing, toileting, transferring) and manipulating various supplies and equipment. Frequent periods of intense activity. Ability to safely perform unassisted transfers (from/to bed/chair/toilet/commode/bathtub/shower) and otherwise provide care to elders/clients who are weak, frail, obese, unable to assist due to limited mobility, quadriplegia, paraplegia, tremors, paralysis etc. Ability to remain calm and work effectively when others (such as elders/clients, coworkers or family members) experience emotional extremes, up to and including elders/clients who become combative. Vision and hearing within normal limits (with or without correction). Must have unrestricted lift/push/pull ability and pass a 50 - pound physical exam demonstrating strength and agility prior to employment and at Tabitha’s discretion.

AGE REQUIREMENT: At least age 16 for Tabitha Assisted Living Communities. At least age 18 for all other Tabitha Living Communities.

EDUCATION: High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.

EXPERIENCE: 6 month’s experience as an aide or caregiver preferred.

CREDENTIALS:

• CNA Certification in good standing as demonstrated by inclusion on the Nebraska State Registry, preferred in Assisted Living Facilities, required in all other Tabitha living communities.
• If a CNA in the Tabitha Residences: CPR required. 
• If a Med Aide: Med Aide Certification in good standing as demonstrated by inclusion on the Nebraska State Registry required. CPR required.
• All certifications must be kept up to date at the expense of the employee.
• Must meet Tabitha’s vaccination requirements.

EEO Disability/Veteran