Member of a Healthcare Team Study Guide for the CNA

General Information

As a CNA, you are a vital part of the healthcare team, responsible for providing hands-on care and ensuring client safety and comfort. You work closely with other professionals, such as physicians, nurses, social workers, therapists, and chaplains, depending on the healthcare setting.

Understanding the Team

The healthcare team can include a variety of professionals, each contributing to the client’s care. These members typically include:

physician—In charge of diagnosing and treating the client’s illness.
licensed nurse—Responsible for administering medications, performing assessments, and delegating tasks.
medical aides and other CNAs—Assist with direct client care alongside you.
social worker—Addresses the emotional, social, and familial needs of the client.
chaplain/spiritual counselor—Provide spiritual support when needed.
physical therapist—Helps the client regain mobility and function.

The composition of the healthcare team will vary depending on the type of facility (e.g., hospital, nursing home, hospice, or clinic) and the specific healthcare system in place. Each setting may have its own expectations and responsibilities for you as a CNA, so it’s important to adapt to the team’s structure.

Communication and Collaboration

As a CNA, effective communication is vital to ensure the best possible care for clients. You are often the first to observe changes in the client’s condition, and regularly updating the team is critical for prompt interventions.

To communicate effectively:

Be clear and concise when reporting observations, focusing on relevant details.
Use structured communication like the SBAR (situation, background, assessment, and requests) format to organize information.
Listen actively to ensure you fully understand instructions or concerns from team members.

Conflict Resolution

Conflicts may occasionally arise within the healthcare team due to differences in opinion or communication styles. To maintain a positive work environment and prioritize client care:

Remain calm and focus on the facts.
Use active listening to understand the other person’s perspective.
Seek solutions by working together with the team and keeping the client’s best interests in mind.
Escalate the issue to a supervisor if necessary, ensuring concerns are addressed without compromising care.

Scope of Practice

Your role is distinct from that of licensed nurses and other healthcare professionals. While you cannot administer medications, handle IVs, or conduct formal assessments, you are responsible for:

assisting with daily activities
monitoring client safety and comfort
reporting any changes in the client’s condition

Understanding your role and knowing when to involve other team members ensures that care is delivered safely and effectively.

Role of the CNA

Your role as a CNA includes providing direct care to clients and assisting them with their activities of daily living (ADLs), all while maintaining a safe and clean environment. Although you cannot perform tasks like medication administration or formal assessments, your observations and daily interactions with clients make you an invaluable source of information for the healthcare team.

Direct Care and ADLs

As a CNA, you are responsible for assisting clients with activities of daily living (ADLs), which include:

bathing
dressing
grooming
eating
toileting
ambulation and transferring
maintaining client hygiene and dignity

Client Safety

As a hands-on member of the healthcare team, you are largely responsible for ensuring client safety. This involves following proper procedures, reporting changes in the client’s condition, and maintaining a clean and hazard-free environment.

Infection Control

One of your most important duties is infection control. Ensure proper hygiene by following standard precautions, such as:

handwashing—Always wash your hands before and after client contact, after removing gloves, and after exposure to bodily fluids.
using gloves and PPE—Always use personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling contaminated materials, such as when cleaning a urinary drainage bag.

Proper infection control practices help prevent the spread of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and ensure a safe environment for both clients and staff.

Fall Prevention and Safety

Falls are a significant risk for many clients, especially those with mobility impairments. You play a key role in preventing falls by:

assisting with safe transfers
keeping pathways clear of clutter
monitoring for changes in balance or coordination

Always ensure the client’s call bell is within reach and respond quickly to any requests for assistance to prevent them from attempting dangerous movements on their own.

Identifying the Client

When providing individualized care, always identify the client before administering any type of treatment or assistance to ensure the correct person receives the appropriate care. This reduces the risk of errors and potential harm.

Documentation and Reporting

Accurate and timely documentation is essential for the continuity of care. As a CNA, you are responsible for:

recording vital signs such as temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure
documenting changes in the client’s condition, including physical, emotional, or behavioral shifts
reporting intake and output, including food, liquid, and elimination habits

These records are crucial for the healthcare team to track the client’s progress and make informed decisions about their care.

Assessment and Assisting

While CNAs do not perform diagnostic assessments, you play an important role in gathering data that informs the client’s care plan. This includes performing regular checks on the client’s condition and reporting any concerns to the nurse.

Recognizing Client Changes

CNAs should use their senses to detect any changes in the client’s:

appearance (e.g., bruises, skin color)
behavior or mood (e.g., agitation, confusion)
physical condition (e.g., vital signs, complaints of pain)

Report any unusual findings promptly to the nurse to prevent complications or ensure early intervention.

Assisting with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

CNAs assist clients with basic daily tasks that they may struggle to perform independently. Helping with ADLs includes providing physical assistance while respecting the client’s dignity and autonomy.

Bathing and Grooming

CNAs assist clients with bathing, grooming, and maintaining personal hygiene. This helps prevent infections and contributes to the client’s comfort and self-esteem. Always ensure privacy and safety during these tasks.

Mobility and Positioning

Mobility assistance includes transferring clients safely from bed to chair, helping them walk, and repositioning to prevent bedsores. Ensure proper body mechanics to avoid injury and create a safe environment for the client.

Toileting and Incontinence Care

When assisting clients with toileting, respect their privacy and use appropriate techniques to ensure their safety. Be aware of any continence products that may be needed, such as adult briefs or catheters, and report any abnormalities in bladder or bowel habits to the nurse.

Emergency Preparedness

In emergency situations, such as falls, fires, or medical crises, CNAs must know how to respond quickly and appropriately. Familiarity with your facility’s emergency protocols ensures the safety of clients during crises. Always stay calm and communicate effectively with both clients and team members.