CNA

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

Qualifications

Required

- 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