Status: Non-Exempt
Reports To: Team Leader
Overall Responsibility:
As a Nursing Assistant (NA), you will work directly with patients to assist with medical, personal, and social needs. NAs play a vital role in the healthcare system as part of an interdisciplinary team.
Essential Functions:
- Observe strict compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPAA) privacy and security rules for protected health information.
- Assist service program participants with activities of daily living such as bathing, grooming, and toileting.
- Measure weight, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, respiration, and temperature.
- Maintain sanitary living conditions.
- Assist service program participants with safe transfers.
- Reinforce care plan elements with service program participants through education, motivational interviewing techniques, and interprofessional teamwork.
- Document program participants' information promptly and accurately in the electronic medical record (EMR) system.
- Demonstrate strong written and interpersonal communication skills, adjusting to various comprehension levels and managing sensitive and confidential information tactfully and professionally.
- Support intake into the shelter according to organizational policies and protocols.
- Assess for and report risks to support developing or modifying care plans to promote optimal outcomes.
- Report operational safety, sanitation, and facility security concerns promptly.
- Carry out the Emergency and Disaster Preparedness procedures as defined by organizational policies.
- Immediately report suspicious, potentially dangerous, or emergent situations in which life, property, and public order may be jeopardized.
- Actively participate in staff meetings and trainings.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
The NA must be able to fulfill duties in accordance with the Housing First approach, defined as:
- Housing is the first essential step, without any requirements for sobriety, participation in treatment medication protocol, compliance, or demonstrated “housing readiness”;
- Recovery orientation related to mental wellness and cognitive functioning;
- Reducing harm to the individual and broader community;
- Remaining non-judgmental in behaviors, practices, beliefs, and actions of service guests/patients;
- Promoting and empowering meaningful choices and service access options, which includes allowing individuals to influence the type, duration, frequency, and intensity of support;
- Absence of coercion, tricks, or contracting;
- Expressing empathy and positivity while promoting a professional relationship without dependency that supports “doing with” instead of “doing for”;
- Remaining future-oriented, promoting hope and possibility in a realistic manner, which supports greater independence for service program participants over time;
- Maintaining transparency and disclosure of information with service guests/patients according to organizational policy;
- Honoring the rights of a service guest/patient to refuse or revoke service, file a grievance, or seek restitution according to organizational policy.
Work Environment:
The NA role operates in multiple facilities that operate medical respite programs. Frequent exposure to stressful situations related to persons served includes but is not limited to domestic violence, sex offenders, substance abuse, and people suffering from mental health issues. This role routinely uses standard office and medical equipment.
In the course of meeting Nursing Assistant responsibilities, it is not uncommon to witness, engage in, or be confronted with the following: Violence and threats of violence; profane, racist, or sexist language; interactions with First Responders; alcohol-influenced behavior; street drugs; tobacco smoke; death of service participants or her/his associates; nudity of service participants or her/his associates; disruptive friends/family dynamics with service participants; people involved with sex work; people involved in the drug trade; persons performing actions against their consent, will or knowledge; people in conflict with the law; infection risks; and/or other situations that may be unsettling. Measures are taken to train staff to deal with these situations appropriately. Still, those in the position should reasonably expect these types of things to occur and understand appropriate direction and support will be provided by HOPE Services Hawaii leadership.
Physical Demands:
The position requires adaptability, working under pressure, and strong communication skills to resolve conflict and foster team collaboration. The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to talk and hear. The employee may be required to stand and walk. The employee may be required to bend at the knees or waist, lift, push, and pull up to 50 pounds; and extend the upper extremities to grab items.
Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
- Clinical Knowledge and Documentation
- Communication
- Time Management
- Case Management Process: Assessment; Planning; Implementation; Coordination
- Cultural Humility
- Personal integrity, patience, and commitment to Hope Services’ values and mission.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
- Flexible and able to multitask within an unpredictable, fast-paced environment.
Required Education and Experience
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Preferred Certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant and/or willingness to complete on-the-job training to obtain certification
- Ability to establish and maintain rapport with others.
- Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
- Ability to think critically and seek solutions to problems.
- Demonstrated time management and organizational skills with attention to detail.
- Competent computer skills, including word processing and database management.
- A valid Hawaii driver’s license and access to a registered, insured vehicle.
Preferred knowledge and comfort in the areas of:
- Homelessness
- Housing First
- Addictions and dependency
- Mental illness
- Chronic illness
- Trauma-informed care
- Harm reduction
- Motivational Interviewing
- Non-profit organizations
Scheduling requirements:
Scheduled hours will vary from 8-12 hour shifts depending on the program's need.
We are a diverse team that includes people who have lived experience with housing insecurity, homelessness, and the justice system, and we encourage those who have lived experience to apply.
