LONG TERM CARE AND THE NURSING ASSISTANT’S ROLE

Settings where the CNA may work Acute or subacute care (Hospitals and surgical centers) Outpatient Care Rehabilitation Home Care Assisted Living Hospice Care

Settings where the CNA may work Long-term care (LTC) Patients who require 24 hour care and assistance for long term conditions Nursing home, skilled nursing facility, nursing facility, extended care facility Patients are usually elderly and/or disabled; may have terminal illnesses and/or chronic illnesses

Settings where the CNA may work LTC Nursing staff will have longer relationships with LTC residents than in any other facility Patients who live in nursing homes are called residents Residents within a LTC facility have differing diagnoses (medical conditions) requiring different levels of care for each person

LTC facilities May offer different levels of care; may also specialize in a specific population of resident (ex. Alzheimer’s) Skilled nursing care Assisted living Dementia care Subacute care Typically offer personal care for all residents and more specialized care on a resident by resident basis

Types of residents of LTC facilities Geriatric Disabled Physically Mentally Individuals requiring skilled nursing care Pediatric Post acute care Other

Protecting the Resident’s Right to Privacy ●Keep all information about the person confidential. ●Cover the person when he or she is being moved in hallways. ●Screen the person/close the door when giving care. Also close drapes and window shades. ●Expose only the body part involved in a treatment or procedure.

Protecting the Resident’s Right to Privacy Do not discuss the person or the person’s treatment with anyone except the nurse supervising your work. Ask visitors to leave the room when care is given. Do NOT open the person’s mail. Allow the person to visit with others in private. Allow the person to use the phone in private.

ROLE OF THE CNA

So, what is the role of the CNA? The CNA performs delegated or assigned nursing tasks, such as taking a resident’s temperature. A CNA also provides personal care. May also be called a nursing assistant, nurse aide, or certified nursing assistant

CNA duties Feeding residents helping residents with toileting and elimination needs assisting residents to move safely around the facility Keeping residents’ living areas neat and clean Encouraging residents to eat and drink Caring for supplies and equipment Helping dress residents Making beds Giving back massages Assisting residents with mouth care

What am I NOT supposed to do? Give medications Insert/remove tubes Change sterile dressings Give tube feedings

CNA CNAs spend more time with residents than anyone else on the health care team YOU are the “eyes and ears” of the health care team OBSERVATION is key! Always REPORT abnormal findings Writing important information down is a must and very helpful (documentation/charting)

Chain of Command The CNA carries out instructions given to him/her by a nurse The Nurse acts on instructions from the physician Guarantees residents get proper care and protects the CNA and their employer from liability

Liability Liability - a person may be held responsible for harming someone else If you accidentally harm a resident while caring for him and the task you were performing was within the care plan, you aren’t responsible. However, if you harm a resident performing a task not within the care plan, you are responsible

Liability CNAs must understand what they can and cannot do so that they don’t harm a resident or cause a lawsuit. Scope of practice - defines the tasks a licensed individual is allowed to do and how to perform tasks correctly

Policies and Procedures Policy - a course of action that should be taken every time a certain situation occurs Ex: a patient’s plan of care must be followed Procedure - a particular method or way of doing something. There is a procedure for reporting information about your residents All employers will have policies and procedures for every resident care situation You are responsible for knowing all policies and procedures! Are posted on the unit or on the internet

Professionalism How you behave when you are on the job: How you dress Your speech What you talk about Being on time completing tasks Reporting to the nurse For the CNA - follow the care plan, being careful to make observations and always report accurately

Professional relationships with residents Keeping a positive attitude Doing only the tasks assigned and ones you are trained to do Speaking politely and cheerfully to the resident, even if you are not in a good mood Never discussing any of you personal problems Calling the resident by the name he/she prefers Listening to the resident Explaining the care you will provide before you provide it Always following care practices, such as hand washing, to protect yourself and the resident

Professional relationships with your employer Maintain a positive attitude Complete your duties efficiently Consistently following all policies and procedures Always documenting and reporting carefully and correctly Communicating problems with residents or duties Reporting anything that keeps you from completing duties Asking questions when you don’t know or understand something

Professional relationships with your employer Taking direction or criticism without becoming upset Being clean, neatly dressed and on time Notifying your employer if unable to report for work Following the chain of command Participating in educational programs Being a positive role model for your facility at all times

Qualities of a great CNA Compassionate Caring, concerned, understanding Honest Conscientious Always trying to do your best Dependable Respectful Considerate Understanding of the resident’s feelings and privacy Nonjudgmental

Residents Express Thanks