CNAs in the ASC

Is anyone using CNAs to assist with patient care in pre- and post-op? I'm trying to justify a CNA who would ultimately assist in both the PACU and OR, training her to open sterile supplies, stock the ORs and assist our SPD tech. I'm having a hard time findong an hourly salary range.

Started by: Madonna Halicki (Administrator/Director/Manager/Owner/Exec. Officer) at February 24, 2010 (9:54 am)

Comments and Responses

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Yes, CNA 1&11 can be trained to do many jobs in OR and OPD .This enables the RN to get more task completed that require an RN. I have CNA11 in OR that has been scrubbing for 10 years, but she also works OPD as needed to take out IV, VS,transport, etc.
At our main OR there are several CNA 1 used in non-licsensed jobs and these staff are valuable.

A. Gragg (Administrator/Director/Manager/Owner/Exec. Officer) at February 26, 2010 (2:05 pm)

We use CNAs in our ACU to bring patients to their room which includes getting an admission weight, their V/S, assisting them to change to a hospital gown and doing preps to include clippings as ordered & getting urine pregnancy tests. They also assist in doing Accu-checks when needed. They assist postoperatively by removing IV's, assisting patients to get dressed and wheeling patients to door for d/c. We currently have 5, 2 of which are FT and 1 which is PRN and the other 2 both work part-time.
Hope this helps. DJ

D. Jenkins (Other) at March 1, 2010 (12:50 pm)

Interesting A. Gragg, as I just read responses on an article {this site} about the tech who was stealing drugs and passed on HEP C, to all those patients.
Point is, that Surgical Techs are on the chopping block....please the read the article and tell me how ANY facility can justify putting a person at the Sterile Field without proper education, certification and continuing education?
This day and time it's almost unheard of! And sorry, it's not fair to the patients, staff and certainly not the ones in my profession who have to maintain Certifications and Cont, Ed.

T. HOOVER (Other) at March 4, 2010 (2:24 pm)

We have a FT CNA. She primarily makes beds, stocks the bays and nurses station, IV bags, empties linen and garbage, brings family back to post-op when nurse is ready for them. Our past nurse manager allowed her to dc IV's, but I do not. Also I have used her in pre-op to bring pts back, get changed and take vitals. She will also assist and do the 3 gtt/ 3 min preg test. She is an integral part of our operation. She truly makes the nurses job more productive. I would definitely recommend a good CNA for ASC's.

Vicky Real (Director, Surgical Services/Director of Nursing) at March 9, 2010 (11:27 pm)

Being a Certified O.R. Tech or even a licensed employee does not guarantee that person will not have a drug problem or engage in this type of behavior. These issues are unrelated.

N. W. (OR Manager/Supervisor) at April 6, 2010 (3:44 am)

We have a CNA that does endoscopy scope processing, OR room turnover, and other miscellaneous tasks...she is the rare person who knows just where to be when she needs to be somewhere! We have also cross trained her to the front desk. I'm not sure what we would do without her. I have encouraged her in furthering her education, by having her become certified in scope reprocessing.

Michelle P. (Director, Surgical Services/Director of Nursing) at April 6, 2010 (10:44 am)

Actually, I am a CNA. My job title is a PCA in the hospital that I work at. I am responsible for many things. Pre- op I take the patient to their room and explain the process , take vital signs, also chart things. On the post-op side I get nourishments, d/c IV's, and take vital signs. Some other things I do is transport, clean as needed, relive our desk for breaks, run specimens to the lab. I honestly feel my job is very important. I assist the nurses in doing their jobs. I feel like I keep the department running smoothly.

Jennifer Duncan (Other) at April 13, 2010 (10:30 am)

I posted the original question and, subsequently, hired a CNA. She is a great asset, learning every day. She has relieved some of the non-nursing tasks from the Pre- and post-op nurses. I don't know what we did before we hired her. Thanks to all who responded.

Madonna Halicki (Administrator/Director/Manager/Owner/Exec. Officer) at April 14, 2010 (11:41 am)

does anyone have a job description that they would be willing to share? I am looking at hiring a CNA here - need a job description for HR and the whole process - - rather than re-invent the wheel - would anyone share one with me? thanks! khausteen@hdmc.org

K. Hausteen (OR Manager / Supervisor) at April 29, 2010 (4:18 pm)

Asking again - does anyone have a job description for the CNA or PCA in the out pt surgery area? I am pleased to read how you have placed these people in your areas successfully - I believe it can be a good fit for the right person and be a huge benefit to the center.If you do have a job description you are willing to share would you send it to me at khausteen@hdmc.org? thanks!!

Karen Hausteen (OR Manager / Supervisor) at May 19, 2010 (11:52 am)

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