CERTIFIED NURSE AIDE JOB DESCRIPTION

A Certified Nurse Aide who cannot accurately observe and report a resident's change in condition creates a gap that a licensed nurse may not catch in time. This role exists to close that gap. Certified Nurse Aides in assisted living and long-term care facilities provide hands-on physical and emotional support to residents under RN delegation, working within individual service agreements that define the scope of each person's care. The role operates at the floor level of a care team, answering directly to the case manager and Registered Nurse.

As the Certified Nurse Aide, you deliver daily personal care and health monitoring to residents in a long-term care or assisted living setting, ensuring each person's service agreement is followed with consistency and accuracy. You work within a multidisciplinary care team, reporting observed changes in resident condition to the case manager and supporting RN-delegated treatments throughout each shift.

Career Impact: Hands-on experience managing ADLs, vital sign monitoring, and RN-delegated treatments builds a documented clinical foundation recognized across nursing assistant career pathways.

Business Impact: Residents depend on this role for daily personal care and early detection of health changes that, if missed, escalate into avoidable medical events.

Growth Opportunity: The Certified Nurse Aide role is a direct stepping stone toward LPN or Home Health Aide certification, with daily exposure to care planning, documentation, and clinical delegation practices.

• Assist residents with Activities of Daily Living including dressing, grooming, bathing, oral care, and hair care per each service agreement.
• Administer oral and external medications within 60 minutes of scheduled time, following infection control and safety standards.
• Monitor and record vital signs including temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration as directed.
• Observe residents and report changes in physical or emotional condition to the case manager promptly.
• Support safe ambulation and transfers using proper body mechanics, transfer belts, and assistive devices.
• Document medication administration, daily care, and resident communications accurately in required logs.
• Recognize and report unsafe medication conditions, refused doses, or deviations from the plan of care to the supervising nurse.
• Encourage resident participation in scheduled activities and provide reassurance and redirection as appropriate.

• High school diploma or equivalent, or equivalent work experience.
• Six months or more of direct care experience in a long-term care or assisted living environment.
• Registered Nursing Assistant, Home Health Aide, or Certified Nursing Assistant certification, or graduate of a state-approved nursing assistant training program.
• Completion of a state-approved Medication Aide course and passage of a state-approved competency examination.
• Ability to perform medication administration in compliance with applicable state regulations.
• Ability to read, write, perform basic math, and communicate effectively in English.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to remain calm and make sound decisions under difficult circumstances.
• Ability to maintain resident confidentiality and act in each resident's best interest at all times.

• Current BLS for Healthcare Provider certification.
• Prior experience assisting residents with incontinence care and use of adaptive mobility equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to document clinical observations accurately using electronic care management systems.

• ADL completion rate per shift, reflecting adherence to each resident's individual service agreement.
• Medication administration timeliness, measured against the 60-minute scheduled window per dose.
• Accuracy rate of vital sign documentation across assigned residents per shift.
• Case manager notification time for observed changes in resident physical or emotional condition.
• Incident report frequency related to transfer or ambulation assists, reflecting safe handling compliance.

• Base Salary Range: $30,000 to $38,000 per year, depending on location and experience.
• Bonus: Shift differential pay common for evening, overnight, and weekend assignments.
• Equity: Not typically offered at this level.
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage standard among larger care facility operators.
• PTO: 10 to 15 days per year, with sick leave provided separately in most states.
• Common Perks: Certification reimbursement, on-site training, and employee assistance programs.

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Successful background screening, including criminal history and applicable health clearances such as TB testing, is required as a condition of employment in this role. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process. Candidates must hold valid work authorization in the United States.

The Certified Nurse Aide owns direct patient care delivery across hygiene, vital sign monitoring, and medical procedure support under licensed nurse supervision. Reporting to the Charge RN and Nursing Director, the role enables safe, policy-compliant care outcomes for individually assigned patients within an acute hospital setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide patient care in accordance with hospital policies, procedures, and regulatory standards.
• Serve as a role model for the Mission, Vision, and Values of the organization within Scope of Practice.
• Monitor patient vital signs and report pertinent clinical information accurately and in a timely manner.
• Assist with medical procedures, patient hygiene, comfort measures, and nutritional needs.
• Demonstrate proficiency in operating equipment and maintaining a safe care environment.
• Communicate clinical information clearly in written and verbal form to all members of the care team.
• Contribute to positive working relationships with internal and external colleagues.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Current California Certified Nurse Aide Certificate required.
• Current BLS for Healthcare Provider certification required.
• Minimum six months prior experience preferred.
• Ability to use IT systems accurately and proficiently.

Embedded within the Mental Health Clinic, the Certified Nurse Aide supervises clinicians providing services to clients and reviews all documentation for compliance with Medi-Cal regulations and Orange County HCA requirements. Working closely with the Director of Mental Health Services, this position directly supports quality clinical outcomes for children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders.

Core Functions

• Supervise day-to-day work of clinicians and conduct weekly individual and group supervision for unlicensed staff.
• Review client charts and completed casework for clinical compliance with Medi-Cal and Orange County HCA requirements.
• Review and approve clinical documentation produced by supervisees and clinic staff.
• Sign off on BBS hours for unlicensed staff.
• Act as first-line response to case-related emergencies and clinical supervision questions.
• Accept and respond in a time-sensitive manner to referrals of children and adolescents presenting with psychiatric symptoms.
• Oversee implementation of Evidence Based Practices to ensure fidelity of the model.
• Respond to and prioritize work assignments and requests from the Director of Mental Health Services.

Qualifications and Experience

• Licensed for at least two years with ability to provide supervision per BBS regulations.
• Expertise using and training others in DSM-5 diagnosis of children required.
• Experience with adoption, trauma, and family relationship issues of children served preferred.
• Expertise in Medi-Cal documentation procedures required.
• Valid California driver's license and insurability by organization's automobile insurance carrier required.
• Clearance of TB test, fingerprints, and all mandatory State and Federal licensing or certification requirements.
• Strong communication, organizational, analytical, and administrative skills.

Reporting to the case manager, the Certified Nurse Aide provides hands-on physical and emotional care to residents in accordance with individual service agreements. Partnering with the Registered Nurse and activity staff, this role supports each resident in achieving the highest possible level of independence and wellbeing within an assisted living setting.

Primary Duties

• Assist residents with Activities of Daily Living including dressing, grooming, bathing, oral care, and hair care.
• Assist with ambulation and transfers using proper body mechanics, transfer belts, and assistive devices.
• Assist residents with use of commode, urinal, toilet, and adult incontinence products as assigned.
• Administer treatments as delegated by the Registered Nurse per the resident service agreement.
• Observe and report changes in residents' physical and emotional condition to the case manager.
• Take and record temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration as instructed.
• Encourage activity participation and escort residents to scheduled activities.
• Communicate resident information verbally and through daily logs and required documentation.

Skills and Qualifications

• Registered Nursing Assistant, Home Health Aide, or Certified Nursing Assistant certification preferred.
• Minimum six months experience in long-term care or assisted living preferred.
• Ability to read, write, perform basic math, and communicate effectively in English.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize, organize, and adapt to changing situations effectively.
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to remain calm under difficult circumstances.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and act in the resident's best interest at all times.

Sitting at the intersection of nursing support and medication safety, the Certified Nursing Aide administers oral and external medications to residents under the direction of a registered nurse or licensed practical/vocational nurse. Operating across daily medication rounds and compliance documentation, this role ensures accurate, timely, and regulation-compliant medication delivery within a long-term care environment.

Duties

• Administer oral and external medications within 60 minutes of scheduled time following hygiene, safety, and infection control standards.
• Take and record vital signs upon medication administration when required.
• Recognize and report unsafe conditions, refused medications, and deviations from the plan of care to the licensed nurse.
• Clarify any order or treatment regimen believed to be inaccurate, ineffective, or contraindicated with the appropriate RN or LPN.
• Monitor residents who self-administer medications and report any deviations.
• Remove discontinued, outdated, or deteriorated drugs from inventory.
• Document medication administration accurately and completely.

Experience and Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Graduate of a state-approved nursing assistant training program required.
• Successful completion of a state-approved Medication Aide course required.
• Passed a state-approved competency examination required.
• Ability to perform medication administration in accordance with state regulations.
• Strong communication skills.