CNA

Description

POSITION:

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

DEPARTMENT:

Resident Care Services

REPORTS TO:

Director of Resident Care / Director of Memory Care (Wellness Nurse or CMT for evening and overnight shifts)

EMPLOYMENT TYPE:

Full-Time / Part-Time / Per Diem

FLSA STATUS:

Non-Exempt (Hourly)

LAST UPDATED:

January 2026

OUR MISSION

At Tamarisk Senior Living, a community of Jewish Collaborative Services, we are committed to providing dignified care wherever our residents call home. We honor the unique journey of each individual, creating a warm, supportive community where residents can live with independence, purpose, and respect. Our team members are essential to fulfilling this mission by delivering compassionate, person-centered care that embraces the whole person—body, mind, and spirit.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is essential to fulfilling our mission of dignified care by providing compassionate, hands-on assistance to residents with their daily living activities. This position ensures optimal resident care, comfort, and safety while promoting independence and respecting each resident's individuality. The CNA works under the direction and supervision of the Director of Resident Care or Director of Memory Care (reporting to the Wellness Nurse or CMT on the evening and overnight shift(s)) to support residents wherever they call home—in assisted living or memory care settings.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Person-Centered, Dignified Care

Provides compassionate, dignified care that honors each resident's individuality, preferences, life history, and personal choices

Supports residents in maintaining maximum independence in all activities of daily living

Creates a warm, homelike environment where residents feel safe, valued, and respected

Recognizes and responds to each resident's physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs

Respects resident rights, privacy, and confidentiality at all times

Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Assistance

Assists residents with bathing (bed bath, tub bath, shower) while maintaining dignity and privacy

Provides assistance with dressing, grooming, oral hygiene, and personal care

Assists with toileting, continence care, and bladder/bowel training programs

Supports residents with mobility, transfers, and ambulation using proper body mechanics and assistive devices

Assists with feeding, hydration, and proper positioning during meals

Provides skin care, nail care (non-diabetic), hair care, and shaving assistance

Clinical Support and Monitoring

Takes and accurately records vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure) as assigned

Measures and documents weight, height, intake and output

Observes and reports changes in resident condition, behavior, or cognitive status to nursing staff

Recognizes and reports signs and symptoms of illness, infection, pain, or distress

Reminds residents to take medications as appropriate (does not administer unless also licensed as Certified Medication Aide (CMT))

Assists with specimen collection as directed

Applies elastic stockings, assists with simple non-sterile dressings, and provides basic wound care under supervision.

Memory Care Duties (if applicable)

Implements person-centered approaches for residents with dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and cognitive impairment

Uses validation, redirection, and therapeutic communication techniques

Supports residents experiencing confusion, anxiety, or behavioral expressions

Participates in meaningful activities and reminiscence programs

Maintains a calm, structured environment with consistent routines

Safety and Environmental Care

Demonstrates understanding of and complies with RIDOH Exposure Prevention Plan for bloodborne pathogens

Follows infection control procedures including hand hygiene and proper use of PPE

Utilizes proper body mechanics and safe resident handling techniques

Responds to emergencies following fire safety and disaster procedures

Maintains clean, safe, homelike resident living spaces

Makes occupied and unoccupied beds; assists with personal laundry as needed

Reports suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation immediately

Documentation and Communication

Maintains accurate documentation of care provided and resident responses

Reports significant observations to nursing staff promptly

Communicates effectively and compassionately with residents, families, and team members

Participates in shift reports and care planning meetings

Refers healthcare questions to licensed nursing staff

Team Collaboration and Professional Development

Functions as a cooperative, active member of the interdisciplinary care team

Assists other staff members as needed

Assumes supervisory responsibilities when assigned in absence of nursing leadership

Attends in-services, staff meetings, and required training programs

Demonstrates knowledge of and respect for Jewish culture and customs

Properly uses equipment including pagers, walkie-talkies, and call systems

Other Duties

Assists with activities, mail delivery, dining room support, and other reasonable tasks

Provides excellent customer service to residents, families, and visitors

Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Resident Care

QualificationsRequired

Active Rhode Island Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license in good standing

Successful completion of RIDOH-approved CNA training program (120 hours minimum)

Current CPR certification (or must obtain within 90 days of hire)

Must pass pre-employment physical examination and annual health screenings

Must pass Rhode Island Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) background check

Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English

Commitment to dignified, person-centered care

Preferred

One or more years of experience in assisted living, memory care, or long-term care

Experience with dementia and cognitive impairment care

Knowledge of Jewish culture and customs or willingness to learn

Bilingual abilities (Hebrew, Yiddish, Spanish, or Russian) helpful

Continuing Education

12 hours of in-service training annually

RI DOH requires CNAs to complete 8 hours of nursing or nursing-related duties every 24 months for license renewal

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Medium Work: Frequently lifting/carrying up to 25 pounds; occasionally up to 50 pounds maximum

Standing and walking for extended periods (8-12 hours)

Frequent bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching

Ability to push/pull wheelchairs, walkers, and equipment

Manual dexterity for personal care tasks

Visual and hearing acuity for resident monitoring

WORKING CONDITIONS

Indoor assisted living and memory care environment

Extensive resident contact

Exposure to infectious diseases, bloodborne pathogens, bodily fluids

Variable shifts including days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays

EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I acknowledge that I have received and reviewed this job description. I understand the duties and responsibilities and confirm that I am able to perform the essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation. I am committed to upholding Tamarisk Senior Living's mission of providing dignifie