1. Introduction to the facility, its staff, and location of departments.
New CNAs should be given a tour of the facility and its departments in order to orient themselves with their surroundings. The tour should include important information such as staff members’ names, roles, and contact information, as well as the locations of all relevant departments like the laboratory, pharmacy, and radiology.
2. Discuss the policies and procedures of the organization.
CNAs should be familiar with all policies, regulations, and protocols related to their job duties. This includes safety regulations for handling hazardous substances or materials, emergency exit drills and evacuation plans, as well as general conduct rules for employees.
3. Understand job roles and expectations for CNAs.
New CNAs should understand what is expected of them in terms of daily tasks, performance standards, patient care instructions, etc. They should also be aware of any additional responsibilities that may arise throughout their employment period.
4. Orientation to basic medical terminology used in nursing care settings.
CNAs should be familiar with medical terms related to the care they provide. This includes being able to accurately identify illnesses, diagnoses, and treatments. They should also understand abbreviations used in patient charts and medications.
5. Review daily documentation requirements.
CNAs should understand what records are needed for each shift and how to properly document patient care activities. Documentation requirements may vary depending on the facility’s policies; these details should be discussed during orientation.
6. Create a work schedule that outlines shifts, duties, and breaks.
The scheduling of CNAs’ shifts should be made clear during orientation so there is no confusion about when or where they need to be working each day. Their duties for each shift should also be discussed in detail.
7. Learn about safety protocols related to infection control, hazardous materials disposal, evacuation plans etc.,
CNAs should understand the importance of adhering to safety protocols and regulations when dealing with hazardous materials or situations related to infection control. They should also know how they are expected to respond during an emergency such as a fire drill or evacuation.
8. Familiarization with various machines/equipment used in patient care.
It is important for CNAs to be familiar with the basic operation of any medical equipment or supplies that they may need to use on the job, such as thermometers, stethoscopes, nebulizers, bed pans and urinals, IV pumps, etc.
9. Understand standard precautions when providing personal hygiene assistance.
CNAs should be aware of the universal standard precautions for infection control, including handwashing techniques and proper disposal of soiled linens or waste materials. They should also understand how to prevent cross contamination between patients.