What do you think of this job description?

[nrsin4]

I just applied for this job tonight. It's at the hospital that is connected to the college where I got my CNA. I just recieved my license on 10/17/08, so I'm still trying to get my first CNA job. This job didn't say specifically that the applicant needs prior hospital experience. The job sounds different...not your typical CNA position. Does this job look too much like a "jack of all trades" type position? Does it look like I could be running my rear-end off?

Critial Care Secretary/Technician

Job Requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED.
  
• The ability to understand and carry out instructions, follow schedules, communicate information, read simple and clear instructions and complete reports.
  
• Must be able to collect, record, and report patient needs to the appropriate care giver.
  
• The ability to demonstrate critical thinking skills commensurate with job description.
  
• Completion of Certified Nursing Assistant program.
  
• Student nurse must have completed first clinical rotation.
  
• Current CPR certified.
  
• Ability to type 30-40 wpm, with accuracy.
  

[nrsin4]

Here's the rest of the job ad...I don't know why the whole thing wasn't included in my first post.

Job Duties:

• Promote positive impression and welcoming environment of the unit through customer service.
  
• Provides appropriate service specific to the age of the customer/patient, to ensure understanding and comfort level of treatment, as outlined in the Age Specific Criteria.
  
• Exhibits excellent interpersonal relations with patients, co-workers, physicians and guests to ensure effective communications.
  
• Completes clinical activities identified in the patient's plan of care to meet patients' comfort/activity/sleep needs and other clinical patient needs as delegated by professional staff.
  
• Maintains patient nutritional status by completing all intake/output activities in at timely and accurate manner to promote customer satisfaction.
  
• Documents all data collected, in Cerner and/or on worksheets, accurately, completely, and in a timely manner to provide an accurate record of patient activities and response to activities.
  
• Provides housekeeping activities to contribute to a safe, efficient, effective and sanitary patient care environment.
  
• Consistently recognizes and utilizes measures to provide for safe, efficient, patient care and work environment.
  
• Handles all general communication duties for the unit.
  
• Performs order entry functions for the unit as required.
  
• Assists in maintaining medical records.
  
• Directly responsible to the staff nurse and assists in the care of the patient by performing delegated activities utilizing the reciprocal process of the 4 Rights of Delegation.
  

[yousoldtheworld]

Some hospitals are using secretary/tech combos. It makes staffing easier on them to have employees that can fill more than one role.

Pretty much it just means you'd be performing duties as both. Depending on the hospital, you might be doing both secretary and tech duties every day, or you might work exclusively as a secretary some days and as a tech, others.

Most likely, you'd do the secretary work mostly (answering phones, maintaining files and records, documenting, etc.) but also help with caring for the patients when needed/when the nurse is busy, etc.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

It sounds awfully busy. They even threw in housekeeping.

[nrsin4]

I was thinking that it sounds really busy. I applied because I figured it would be better to apply than not...especially since I'm still trying to land my first CNA job.

This is the same hospital that I did my clinical at (on the oncology/surgery floor). From my experiences with that floor, I can't imagine how this position is set up to accomplish all those tasks.

On my first day of clinical I was paired up with a male CNA. He's been a CNA for 20 years and was great. On my third day (when I was paired with a different CNA) I noticed that he was in business casual attire working at the reception desk on the floor. I overheard another CNA ask him if he was switching jobs and he said that he was just subbing for the day to help out one of the secretaries.

Maybe the floors staff differently (some have CNA's, others have "combo" techs). Or, maybe the hospital is trying out a new position? Hopefull I'll get an interview so that I can find out! The starting pay is higher than CNA pay. That hospital starts CNAs at $11.07 p/hr and this critical care secretary/tech position starts at $11.75 p/hr, which is nice.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

I held a Unit Aide position in a hospital while I was going through nursing school, and my job description was a lot like the OP's. Most shifts I was on the floor, but I also worked the desk sometimes doing reception, entering orders, taking information and assigning rooms for new admits, and directing traffic (so to speak). The only "housekeeping" was room tidies, which are expected of all nursing staff on all shifts---no, I didn't have to mop floors and clean sinks!

It was a GREAT job and I got to see and do a lot that helped me greatly when I became an RN. It also paid very well for a CNA position; this was 12 years ago, and I was making over $10 an hour on eve shift and almost $11 on nocs with shift differentials. If I'd worked in LTC, I'd have been busting my tail for about seven bucks an hour back then and not learned half as much.....it was definitely the right job for me.

Good luck to you!

[nrsin4]

VivaLasViejas...thanks for your reply! I'm glad to hear that it was a positive experience for you. I'm hoping that I do get an interview. I am going to school part-time for my RN, so I would love to get all of the on-the-job experience that I can get!

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Sounds like a Patient Care Technician/Associate position. Most descriptions for those titles include the majority of the things you listed. Go try out!

[truern]

Sounds like a job description of a CNA. I think the typing probably comes into play because they use computer documentation. Also, the CNAs where I work empty trash cans, straighten up pt rooms, etc...therefore the "housekeeping" duties.

[nrsin4]

truern...this job is a little different than CNA jobs at this particular hospital. Here's the job description for a CNA job that I just now applied for at the same hospital. The list of responsibilities is not as extensive. This description is for the oncology surgery floor (which is where I did my clincial).

• Provides appropriate care specific to the age of the customer/patient, to ensure understanding and comfort level of treatment.
  
• Exhibits excellent interpersonal relations with patient, co-workers, physicians, and guests to ensure effective communications.
  
• Complete clinical activities identified in the patient's plan of care to meet patients' comfort/activity/sleep needs and other clinical patient needs as delegated by professional staff.
  
• Maintains patient nutritional status by completing all intake/outtake activities in a timely and accurate manner to promote customer satisfaction.
  
• Documents all data collected in MIA and/or on worksheets, accurately, completely, and in a timely manner to provide an accurate record of patient activities and response to activities.
  
• Provides housekeeping activities to contribute to a safe, efficient, effective and sanitary patient care environment.
  
• Consistently recognizes and utilizes measures to provide for safe, efficient, patient care and work environment.
  
• Directly response to the staff nurse and assists in the care of the patient by performing delegated activities utilizing the reciprocal process of the 4 Rights Delegation.