The Comprehensive Guide to a Career as a Nursing Assistant

Chapter 8: Working in the Healthcare Team

As a certified nursing assistant, you will work as part of a healthcare team that includes nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals. This chapter provides an overview of collaboration and teamwork among healthcare professionals, delegation and following a care plan, ethical decision-making and patient advocacy, and professionalism and self-care for CNAs.

Collaboration and Teamwork Among Healthcare Professionals:
Collaboration and teamwork among healthcare professionals are essential for providing high-quality patient care. Examples of collaboration and teamwork skills include:

1. Effective communication: Communicating effectively with other healthcare professionals to ensure that all parties understand patient needs and progress.
2. Respectful communication: Treating all members of the healthcare team with respect and professionalism.
3. Clear role definition: Understanding your role and responsibilities as a nursing assistant within the healthcare team.

Delegation and Following a Care Plan:
As a nursing assistant, you will be responsible for carrying out care plans developed by registered nurses or licensed practical nurses. Examples of delegation and care plan skills include:

1. Understanding care plans: Reading and understanding care plans and ensuring that they are followed accurately.
2. Reporting changes: Reporting any changes in patient condition or progress to the nurse in charge.
3. Following procedures: Following all established procedures for providing patient care.

Ethical Decision-Making and Patient Advocacy:
Ethical decision-making and patient advocacy are crucial aspects of nursing assistant roles. Examples of ethical decision-making and patient advocacy skills include:

1. Respecting patient autonomy: Respecting patients' rights to make decisions about their own care and treatment.
2. Reporting concerns: Reporting any concerns about patient care to the appropriate healthcare professional.
3. Advocating for patients: Advocating for patients' needs and preferences and ensuring that they are respected.

Professionalism and Self-Care for CNAs:
Professionalism and self-care are important for nursing assistants to maintain their own health and well-being, as well as to provide high-quality patient care. Examples of professionalism and self-care skills include:

1. Maintaining boundaries: Maintaining professional boundaries with patients and their families.
2. Continuing education: Continuing education to stay up-to-date with changes in healthcare practices and regulations.
3. Self-care: Taking care of your own health and well-being, including getting enough rest, exercise, and healthy food.

Overall, working in the healthcare team requires collaboration and teamwork among healthcare professionals, delegation and following a care plan, ethical decision-making and patient advocacy, and professionalism and self-care for CNAs. This chapter provides an overview of these important skills and considerations for nursing assistants in healthcare settings.