Shower tech advise

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Hello, I have been working as a CNA for a few years now, but I have been offered a new position with better hours (which would be wonderful for my family). I got a little to excited about this new change and accepted the job before I really fully understood the job duties. My new position is a shower tech. I will be coming in and giving showers all day. Is their any advice you could give me on what kind of shoes to wear, what to expect, tips, and tricks for a smooth shower/whirlpool? Anything will help! Thank you in advance.

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Sorry I can't help with the details. I got soaked every time I gave anybody a shower. But bless you and the job you do.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

For shoes, I'm thinking Keens because they are machine-washable. But they will get wet and so will your socks. I did find (online search) waterproof shoe covers; you might look into these. They look like rubber overshoes that come up above the ankle. As far as your clothes, I recommend a water-proof apron. It might still be helpful to bring a change of clothes and shoes to work because I can't imaging doing showers all day and staying completely dry throughout. Congratulations on your new job.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

I like crocs, when they get dirty I just slip them off, rinse off in the sink and dry with paper towels. There are waterproof socks out there, try looking at sports stores.

Wear light weight scrub pants that will dry easily.

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Specializes in M/S, Pulmonary, Travel, Homecare, Psych..

The nursing home/rehab I supervised used shower techs. Working nights, I didn't engage with them hardly at all (they were day shift). But one did from time to time pick up a night shift as a floor aid for OT. So I did get to chat with her a few times.

She hated the job at first. She said she felt a hundred times busier and stayed late a few times to get through that days shower list. I just figured it was because they probably gave her too many to do.

Then she finished her story with: "I had to learn to tell the other aids no." Seems her problem was, they were always pulling her out of the shower room to help with this/that/the other thing. She obliged at first. Eventually things built up to the point where she was trying to be a floor aid and shower tech at the same time. It didn't work. After some coaching from the DON, she learned to say no when she truly was too busy.

It worked out for her because she had managements support. Hopefully you will too if that issue comes up.

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Am I the only one who's thinking rubber boots ? I swear I have a distant memory of a shower room that had various communal rubber boots in it.

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Specializes in Home Health,Dialysis, MDS, School Nurse.

Are they actual showers, or whirlpools? The nursing home I PRN in has a shower aide, but everyone there gets a whirlpool, so she doesn't really get wet at all (maybe a little on her top if she would lean over, or such). Only thing she ever complains about is how hot it gets in there!

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Specializes in retired LTC.

jennylee - I remember the boots too. Like snow boots!

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Specializes in LTC, Rehab.

Where I work we don't have specific shower techs, but there's a pair of big almost-knee-high rubber boots that some CNA's put on when giving showers. Keeps their regular shoes dry. (I can already see people saying yeah, but what about multiple people using them and so on ... hey, I get it, but I'm just reporting on what I see :^).

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There are special shoes servers wear that are meant to stable on wet slippery floors. That and always keep an extra change of clothing with you.

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Heaven help you. I would wear rubber shoe covers, like galoshes and a quick dry uniform and knee length waterproof apron or chaps. You are going to be hot and sticky and ready for your own shower when you get home. Good luck.

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I have no practical advice, just praise. Never underestimate the importance, mentally and physically of a shower. The ability to have oneself truly clean is so important to human dignity, and has a tremendous effect on mood. I remember the times that I have been sick, either physically or mentally, that a shower seemed like the greatest gift I could receive. Your residents are lucky.

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