Job Details

1. Primary responsibilities

• Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): Assisting patients with essential daily tasks like bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, and using the toilet.
• Vital Signs Monitoring: Regularly measuring and recording patients' vital signs such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration rate, and reporting any significant changes to the nursing staff.
• Mobility Assistance: Helping patients move safely, whether transferring them from bed to wheelchair, assisting with walking, or repositioning them for comfort.
• Patient Observation and Reporting: Closely monitoring patients for changes in their condition (physical, behavioral, or emotional) and reporting any concerns or abnormalities to the supervising nurse.
• Maintaining a Clean and Safe Environment: Ensuring patient rooms and surrounding areas are clean, tidy, and sanitized, including changing linens, cleaning surfaces, and adhering to infection control protocols.
• Emotional Support: Providing companionship and offering a compassionate ear to patients and their families, especially those who may be experiencing loneliness, anxiety, or fear.
• Communication & Collaboration: Acting as a liaison between patients and the healthcare team, ensuring clear communication of patient needs and concerns. 

2. Additional duties (may vary by facility and assignment)

• Assisting with patient admission, transfer, and discharge procedures.
• Collecting and documenting patient information, including medical history and family information.
• Performing basic medical tasks like wound care and catheter care (under the supervision of a licensed nurse).
• Assisting with preparing patients for medical examinations and procedures.
• Stocking supplies in patient areas. 

3. Key skills and qualifications

• Active CNA Certification: Must hold a valid CNA certification in the state where they are practicing.
• Strong Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Essential for effective interaction with patients, families, and healthcare colleagues.
• Empathy & Compassion: Providing care with understanding and kindness, notes the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Attention to Detail: Maintaining accurate patient records, observing subtle changes in condition, and adhering to safety protocols.
• Physical Stamina: Being able to lift, move, and assist patients safely and perform duties during long shifts.
• Flexibility & Adaptability: Willingness to work in various healthcare settings and adjust to differing workflows and patient populations.
• Teamwork: Collaborating effectively with other healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive patient care. 

4. Working environment

• CNAs working through staffing agencies may be placed in diverse settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and in-home care situations.
• The work schedule may involve days, nights, weekends, and holidays, reflecting the round-the-clock nature of patient care, according to Care Staffing Professionals. 

5. Benefits of working with a staffing agency

• Flexibility: Opportunities for flexible scheduling and choosing assignments that fit personal preferences.
• Variety of Experience: Gaining exposure to different healthcare settings and patient populations.
• Potential for Competitive Pay: Agency work often offers competitive hourly wages.
• Career Advancement: Opportunities to gain experience and potentially pursue further education or specialized certifications.