A certified nursing assistant (C.N.A) is an individual who has completed an approved nursing assistant coaching and competency evaluation program and finally passing the written and skills certification exams. C.N.A performs several duties in their work. A breakdown of the activities is as follows; communicating information. They observe and verbally report a resident’s data additionally they report any unsafe conditions that they have noticed. It is their duty to reinforce instructions that originate from other health professionals to the resident and their relatives. They also help- with the discharge procedures of the unit. They are required to calculate report and record the output. Similarly, they communicate needed changes in the care plan. C.N.A also instruct residents on how to use body mechanics. Finally, they examine current residential status and care documents ( American Red Cross, 2013; Klee, 2009).
In addition to communication, C.N.A performs basic nursing skills. In this case, they collect sputum specimen, they also collect a sample of isolated residents. Similarly, they prioritize the order of care for residents depending on their needs. They stock and store supplies and equipment. In case a patient is bleeding, they apply pressure to control bleeding. Additionally, they can use protective devices. They can also perform cleaning and disinfection of the unit ( American Red Cross, 2013; Klee, 2009).
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They take and record the temperatures of the resident. They routinely collect urine specimen in addition to the twenty-four-hour sample. They ensure that they follow safety, disaster and emergency procedures. In case a resident has fallen, they are there to assist them. They are responsible for setting up and maintaining suppliers for isolated individuals ( American Red Cross, 2013; Klee, 2009).
Similarly, they serve and diet frays from residents in isolation. In some cases, they offer assistance to hysterical and disoriented residents. They also provide for the safety of the environment. At times they assist in preparing the specimen for the laboratory ( American Red Cross, 2013; Klee, 2009).
In addition to the above functions, a C.N.A also performs the following personal care skill duties. They administer perineal care as well as assisting the client with personal grooming. It is their obligation to identify general therapeutic diet for the resident. They also help to distribute nourishment in addition to offering skin care. At times they assist the client in using a bedside commode. Likewise, they feed elderly residents while helping them to use the toilet ( American Red Cross, 2013; Klee, 2009).
A certified nurse assistant also performs necessary restorative skills. Some of the duties, in this case, include applying anti-embolism elastic stockings. They also support proper use and transfer of safety belt. C.N.A helps the clients with exercises to help them with movement. They help with the whirlpool treatment or treatment. Similarly, they assist the resident use the wheelchair, proper sitting position and passive range of motion exercises ( American Red Cross, 2013; Klee, 2009).
Certified nursing assistants frequently administer warm bath and support the resident to retain the bladder and their bowels. Additionally, a C.N.A helps the resident with dangling and application of ice bags. It is their duty to ensure that they observe the client for adequate circulation once supportive devices are fully applied ( American Red Cross, 2013; Klee, 2009).
Certified Nursing Assistant provides mental health together with social service needs. They achieve this by applying reality orientation techniques, observing and reporting the level of orientation for the residents. They also direct the clients to recreational activities. At times they orient the residents and their family members to the facility and rooms ( American Red Cross, 2013; Klee, 2009).
Lastly, a certified nursing assistant is responsible for providing residents rights. They achieve this by assisting them in personal communication while demonstrating professional ethics. They also refer visitors to licensed staff to maintain the procedures for legal access to the clients and their records. The duties of a certified nursing assistant cannot be over emphasised because they play a critical role in the wellbeing of the residents and their families ( American Red Cross, 2013; Klee, 2009).
References
American Red Cross nurse assistant training textbook (Third ed.). (2013). Boston, MA: American Red Cross
Klee, K. M. (2009). 042 – Standardizing the Role of the Certified Nursing Assistant. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 24 (2). doi:10.1016/j.pedn.2008.11.044
