Nursing Care Assistant (CNA) - Therapeutic Mobility - Project Sunshine

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

Duke Health seeks a Nursing Care Assistant I for Project Sunshine, a therapeutic mobility and engagement program that helps long stay and high risk patients stay active, safe, and connected. This full time, on site role at Duke Regional Hospital in Durham supports mobility, transport, and direct patient care across units, with five 8 hour shifts from 9 00 am to 5 30 pm and rotating weekends and holidays. A $5,000 commitment bonus is available for qualified candidates. Key requirements include Nursing Assistant I certification with BCLS to be completed by end of orientation, the ability to lift and stand for long periods, and strong documentation and teamwork with RNs and behavioral health. To apply, tailor your resume to show mobility, engagement, and adaptability and highlight experiences with cognitive impairment or complex care, patient comfort, and collaboration.

Make a meaningful difference bringing movement, connection, and compassion to patients who need it most.

*$5,000 Commitment Bonus for qualified candidates!

Work Schedule:

Five 8 hour shifts per week
Standard shift 9:00 am to 5:30 pm
Rotating weekends and holidays per department rotation

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

About Duke Regional Hospital

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke Regional Hospital in Durham, North Carolina. With 388 beds it is the second largest of Duke Health's four hospitals and offers a comprehensive range ofmedical, surgical, and diagnostic services, including orthopedics, weight-loss surgery, women's services, and heart and vascular services.

Duke Nursing Highlights:

• Duke University Health System is designated as a Magnet organization
• Nurses from each hospital are consistently recognized each year as North Carolina's Great 100 Nurses.
• Duke University Health System was awarded the American Board of Nursing Specialties Award for Nursing Certification Advocacy for being strong advocates of specialty nursing certification.
• Duke University Health System has 6000 + registered nurses
• Quality of Life: Living in the Triangle!
• Relocation Assistance (based on eligibility)

Department Profile

Project Sunshine is a therapeutic mobility and engagement program designed to support long-stay and high-risk patients throughout the hospital. Many of the patients served by the program are experiencing cognitive impairment, behavioral challenges, or complex medical conditions that can increase the risk of agitation, isolation, and prolonged hospitalization. Through supervised outdoor experiences, mobility activities, and purposeful one-on-one engagement, Project Sunshine helps improve patient comfort, promote healing, and create a more positive care experience.

This role is part of Inpatient Nursing Operations and partners closely with nursing and behavioral health teams to support patient safety, well-being, and quality of care. Nursing Care Assistants in Project Sunshine work across multiple inpatient units, building meaningful connections with patients while helping them stay active, engaged, and connected throughout their hospital stay. As a seven-day-per-week program, consistent staffing is essential to ensuring patients receive the therapeutic support they need when they need it most.

Job Summary

The Nursing Care Assistant I is a patient care support partner with the Registered Nurse and or Licensed Practical Nurse and performs work as delegated. In this assignment, the Nursing Care Assistant I supports Project Sunshine activities by assisting with patient mobility, transport, and engagement, including walking, wheelchair assisted outings, and bed based transport to approved indoor and outdoor locations. The Nursing Care Assistant I provides direct patient care, supports patient comfort and safety,  and documents care appropriately in the electronic health record or approved tracking tools.

Work Performed

• Prepare patients, equipment and supplies for specific procedures and provide manual assistance as required.
• Obtain and record patient data for medical records noting and informing RN/LPN of information collected.
• Administer treatment and personal care procedures to patients including, but not limited to, feeding, bathing, hair care, changing clothing, nail care, bed-making, assisting with ambulation, enemas, skin care, and bowel and bladder elimination; provide such additional care as required to meet the personal needs and comfort of assigned patients.
• Participate in teaching activities by reinforcing teaching instructed by RN and/or providers as needed.
• Assist providers and nurses with physical examinations by helping position patients, changing non-sterile dressing and weighing patients.
• Take and record vital signs, record I&O, and apply ice bags. Note and report any changes in patient's condition.
• Turn and position patients, set up and feed patients as necessary, provide patients with fresh drinking water.
• Perform fingersticks for blood glucose testing, with appropriate training, document and notify RN/LPN.
• Assist with admission, discharge, and transportation of patients.
• Follow standard precautions and use personal protective equipment as required.
• Collect, deliver and conduct routine tests on patient specimens.
• Clean assigned area; stock and replenish supplies and equipment as required.
• Participate in own professional development by maintaining required skills validation and attending educational offerings.
• Support the development of other staff and formal learners.
• May also perform clean dressing change for wounds over 48 hours old.
• Perform other related duties incidental to work described herein.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Working knowledge of procedures and techniques involved in administering routine and special treatments to patients.
• Working knowledge of sanitation, personal hygiene and basic health and safety precautions applicable to work in a hospital.
• Working knowledge of the organization and physical layout of the hospital.
• Working knowledge of infection control procedures and safety precautions.
• Ability to withstand prolonged standing and walking. This position is very active and requires standing, walking,bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling and climbing all day. The employee must frequently lift or move objects and patients weighing over 35 pounds with assistance or appropriate lift equipment.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and writteninstructions.
• Ability to document and communicate pertinent information using computer and/or paper documentation tools.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients and hospital staff.
• Working knowledge of principles and practices of providing non- professional bedside patient care.
• Pre-employment Physical Capacity Testing may be required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

N/A

Experience

N/A

Degrees, Licensures, Certifications

Currently listed as a Nursing Assistant I (NA I) with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Service Regulation with no substantiated findings of abuse, fraud, neglect or misappropriation of property. BCLS certification must be maintained/completed by the end of new hire orientation, which typically takes place during the first week of employment.