Lead Certified Nurse’s Aide (CNA- Internal)

Lagunarainbow; Casa Blanca (NM); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Lagunarainbow is seeking a Lead Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) to provide direct resident care and supervise CNAs on a shift in a long-term care setting. The Lead CNA leads by example, assists with orientation, coordinates CNA assignments, ensures coverage, reports concerns to the Charge Nurse, and maintains HIPAA compliance while upholding high standards of resident care.

Requirements include current CNA certification, at least one year of CNA experience, CPR/BLS if required, and ability to

Qualifications

• Current CNA certification in good standing in the state.
• Minimum of one year of CNA experience.
• Leadership, mentoring, or prior supervision preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary CNA resource for the shift and coordinate assignments.
• Monitor CNA coverage and report concerns to the Charge Nurse.
• Lead rounds to identify resident needs and ensure timely care.
• Assist with orientation and mentoring of CNAs.
• Promote teamwork and maintain HIPAA compliance.

Skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Teamwork

Education

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Lead Certified Nurse’s Aide (CNA- Internal)

Reports To: Director of Nursing (DON) / Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) / Charge NurseFLSA Status: Non-ExemptPosition Type: Full-TimeFacility: Long-Term Care / Skilled Nursing Facility

Reports To: Director of Nursing (DON) / Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) / Charge Nurse
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Position Type: Full-Time
Facility: Long-Term Care / Skilled Nursing Facility

Position Summary

The Lead Certified Nursing Assistant (Lead CNA) provides direct resident care while serving as a frontline leader and resource for Certified Nursing Assistants and Nursing Assistants assigned to the shift. The Lead CNA supports the nursing team by promoting quality resident care, effective communication, teamwork, proper assignment coverage, and compliance with facility policies and procedures.

The Lead CNA is expected to lead by example, maintain a professional and respectful work environment, assist with orientation and training of nursing assistants, and promptly communicate resident concerns, staffing issues, and employee performance concerns to the Charge Nurse or nursing leadership.

The Lead CNA does not replace the licensed nurse or perform duties outside the CNA scope of practice.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Resident Care

• Provide direct resident care in accordance with each resident’s individualized care plan.
• Assist residents with activities of daily living (ADLs), including bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, mobility, repositioning, eating, and personal hygiene.
• Answer call lights promptly and ensure resident needs are addressed in a timely manner.
• Assist with transfers, ambulation, and positioning using proper techniques and required equipment.
• Observe residents for changes in physical condition, behavior, appetite, skin condition, mobility, or mental status and immediately report concerns to the licensed nurse.
• Obtain and document vital signs, weights, intake/output, and other information as assigned and permitted within the CNA scope of practice.
• Provide compassionate, respectful care while maintaining resident dignity, privacy, independence, and rights.
• Follow infection prevention and control procedures, including proper hand hygiene and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Lead CNA Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary CNA resource and point of contact for CNAs and Nursing Assistants during the assigned shift.
• Assist the Charge Nurse with coordinating CNA assignments, resident coverage, breaks, and workflow.
• Help ensure adequate coverage of resident care areas throughout the shift.
• Monitor completion of assigned CNA responsibilities and communicate incomplete assignments or concerns to the Charge Nurse.
• Conduct rounds throughout the shift to identify resident needs and ensure timely care.
• Assist CNAs who require additional support with resident care, transfers, repositioning, or other assigned duties.
• Promote teamwork and assist with resolving routine workflow concerns before they negatively affect resident care.
• Immediately upscale resident safety concerns, staffing problems, employee misconduct, or significant performance concerns to the Charge Nurse or nursing leadership.
• Assist with shift-to-shift communication to promote continuity of resident care.
• Support implementation of nursing department procedures and expectations.

Staff Support, Training and Mentoring

• Assist with the orientation of newly hired CNAs and Nursing Assistants.
• Serve as a mentor and positive role model for nursing staff.
• Demonstrate proper resident care techniques, infection-control practices, documentation procedures, and facility expectations.
• Provide appropriate guidance and redirection to CNAs when needed.
• Encourage staff accountability, professionalism, attendance, punctuality, and teamwork.
• Report ongoing performance, attendance, conduct, or competency concerns to the appropriate supervisor.
• Participate in staff education, in-services, competency training, and required meetings.

Documentation and Communication

• Complete required documentation accurately and within established timeframes.
• Communicate relevant resident information to the Charge Nurse.
• Maintain confidentiality of resident, employee, and facility information in accordance with HIPAA and facility policies.
• Immediately report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, misappropriation of resident property, injuries of unknown origin, or other reportable concerns according to facility policy and applicable regulations.
• Participate in shift reports, huddles, and nursing meetings as requested.

Safety and Compliance

• Follow all facility policies, nursing procedures, resident rights requirements, and applicable federal and state regulations.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized resident care environment.
• Follow fall-prevention, transfer, lifting, infection-control, and emergency procedures.
• Properly use and maintain resident care equipment.
• Immediately report accidents, injuries, equipment problems, and safety hazards.
• Maintain current required certifications and complete mandatory education and annual competencies.

The Lead CNA is expected to:

• Lead by example and demonstrate a positive, professional attitude.
• Treat residents, families, coworkers, and visitors with dignity and respect.
• Promote teamwork and effective communication among nursing staff.
• Remain calm and professional during emergencies, staffing challenges, and difficult situations.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with residents and employees.
• Address concerns objectively and avoid favoritism, gossip, retaliation, or inappropriate workplace behavior.
• Support the Charge Nurse, DON, ADON, and facility leadership in maintaining high standards of resident care.
• Recognize that clinical decisions and licensed nursing responsibilities remain under the authority of the licensed nurse.

Minimum Qualifications

• Current Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification in good standing in the state where the facility operates.
• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Minimum of one year of CNA experience, preferably in a skilled nursing, long-term care, rehabilitation, or similar healthcare setting.
• Previous lead, preceptor, mentoring, or supervisory experience preferred.
• Current CPR/BLS certification if required by the facility.
• Must successfully complete all required background checks, health screenings, and employment requirements.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of CNA duties and resident care standards.
• Ability to provide leadership and guidance to other nursing assistants.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to prioritize responsibilities in a fast-paced healthcare environment.
• Ability to recognize changes in resident condition and promptly report concerns.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise appropriate professional judgment.
• Ability to work effectively with residents, families, nursing staff, physicians, and interdisciplinary team members.
• Dependable attendance and punctuality.

Physical Requirements

The employee must be able to perform the physical functions necessary to provide direct resident care, including standing and walking for extended periods; bending, reaching, pushing, pulling, and repositioning residents; and assisting with resident transfers. The employee must be able to use mechanical lifting and transfer equipment as required and safely perform the essential functions of the position, with reasonable accommodation when applicable.

Other Duties

This job description is not intended to contain a comprehensive listing of all duties or responsibilities required of the position. Duties may be modified or additional responsibilities assigned based on resident needs, staffing requirements, regulatory requirements, and facility operations.