JobsAdvocate Health

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) - Med/Surg Onc FT.9 Days

Advocate Health · Chicago, IL

Posted Sep 9, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

Behavioral

Tell me about a time you noticed something off with a patient, like a change in skin color or breathing, and what you did next.

whether the candidate reports observations promptly rather than deciding on their own what's significant

Describe a time you had to prioritize between several tasks at once, like a call light, a specimen pickup, and a scheduled vital signs round.

organizational skill and ability to triage tasks safely on a busy 12-hour shift

Tell me about a time a patient or family member was frustrated or difficult with you. How did you handle it?

emotional regulation and communication skill, since oncology patients and families are often under high stress

This is a three-day-a-week, 12-hour shift schedule with alternating weekends and holidays. How do you think that will work for you, and what has kept you consistent with a demanding schedule in the past?

reliability and realistic understanding of the shift commitment

Tell me about a time you had to help move or lift a patient who couldn't help you much, and how you protected both yourself and the patient from injury.

real experience with safe patient handling and awareness of physical demands like the 50-pound lift and 150-pound transfer requirements

Technical

This unit is med/surg oncology, so you'll be working with patients who may be immunocompromised or in isolation. What steps do you take before and after entering an isolation room?

actual working knowledge of infection prevention protocol, not just familiarity with the term

How do you approach a sliding transfer or repositioning a patient who weighs close to 150 pounds and can't assist much, especially when cancer treatment has left them fragile or in pain?

knowledge of safe body mechanics, use of assistive devices, and awareness of the need for a second person

What is your process for collecting and labeling a specimen, say a stool or urine sample, to make sure it's matched to the right patient?

attention to detail on identification and labeling, since a mislabeled oncology specimen can have serious consequences

What does skin integrity care look like for you day to day, and what would make you flag a patient to the RN for closer skin assessment?

practical knowledge of pressure injury prevention, especially relevant for patients with reduced mobility from cancer treatment

You'll be documenting vitals, intake and output, and observations directly into the electronic medical record. How comfortable are you with that kind of computer charting, and what would you do if you weren't sure how to enter something?

basic computer competency and honesty about asking for help rather than guessing on documentation

Situational

Walk me through how you'd handle a patient on the oncology unit who is too fatigued or nauseated to eat much, but the RN needs you to get an accurate intake recorded.

whether the candidate understands accurate documentation matters even when a patient's condition makes data collection hard, and knows to escalate concerns to the RN

Say you're doing purposeful rounding and a patient's family member is upset and wants answers about the treatment plan that you're not able to give. What do you do?

whether the candidate knows their scope of practice and can de-escalate without overstepping into clinical answers that belong to the RN or physician

If a patient tells you something that sounds concerning, maybe pain that's new or a fall risk you notice during ambulation, but the RN is busy with another patient, what do you do?

judgment about urgency and willingness to interrupt appropriately rather than wait or handle it alone

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Advocate Health.

Department: 35829 Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center - Med Surg: IU 541 Status: Full time Benefits Eligible: Yes Hou rs Per Week: 36 Schedule Details/Additional Information: Full-time day shift, alternating weekends and holidays. Three 12-hour shifts 7am-7pm per week. Pay Range: $20.80 - $31.20 Major Responsibilities: • Assists RN with daily care of patients including bathing, oral hygiene, feeding, activity orders and ambulation which may include use of therapeutic assistive devices, proper positioning, range of motion and special transferring as indicated. • Measures and documents blood pressures, TPRs (Temperature, Pulse, Respiration), I & O (Intake and Output), daily weights, and other patient data as requested. Documents accurately in Electronic Medical Record (EMR). • Performs purposeful rounding under direction of RN and promptly communicates observations, concerns, and needs of patient/family to RN. Documents appropriately. • Participates in admission, transfer and discharge process under supervision of RN including room set up, orientation to room, removing linen, and proper management of patient belongings. Ensures patient call light is always in reach of patient and answers call-lights promptly. • Collects urine, stool, and sputum specimens and performs point-of-care testing as indicated using approved process for accurate specimen labeling and identification. Maintains competency as required. • Completes various errands as directed including pick-up and delivery of trays, charts, specimens, and reports. Maintains and orders stock for nursing area. Cleans equipment and work areas. • Performs various patient positioning and transporting duties which require lifting and pushing/pulling while utilizing proper technique and assistive devices. Performs tasks related to nutritional needs of patient under direction of RN to include diet review, tray set up/removal, proper positioning and diet selection. • Performs tasks related to maintaining skin integrity to include proper repositioning and skin care. Ensures special patient supplies and appliances are provided and maintained such as TED hose and sequential compression devices. • Under the direction of RN and as determined by site/unit requirements, may be required to remove IVs, provide post mortem care, and bladder scans. • Practices within policies and procedures of infection prevention by demonstrating hand hygiene and knowledge of sterile and aseptic procedures, proper disposal of contaminated materials and utilizing proper attire when in direct contact with patients in isolation. • Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards. Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required: • Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) needs to be obtained within 45 days, and • Nurse Aide in good standing as indicated with the State Registry in which the team member practices. Education Required: • Certificate of General Educational Development (GED) or High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED), or • High School Graduate. Experience Required: • None. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required: • Basic computer skills. • Excellent oral and written communication. • Excellent organizational skills and ability to set priorities. • Certification Addendum • Team members will maintain annual educational requirements for hospital based certifications (e.g. DNV, CARF or others). Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: • Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, bend, twist, and reach above shoulders during the work shift. • Must be able to: • lift up to 50 lbs. from floor to waist. • lift up to 20 lbs. over the head. • carry up to 40 lbs. a reasonable distance. • Must be able to: • push/pull with 30 lbs. of force. • perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs. with a second person present. • Will be required to use foot pedals on carts or machines. • Must have functional vision and hearing. • Will be exposed to mechanical, electrical, chemical, and radiation hazards as well as blood and body fluids on a continuous basis; therefore, protective clothing must be worn as necessary. • Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job. This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties. Our Commitment to You: Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so you can live fully at and away from work, including: Compensation • Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training • Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job • Incentive pay for select positions • Opportunity for annual increases based on performance Benefits and more • Paid Time Off programs • Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability • Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses • Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave • Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs • Educational Assistance Program Note: Eligibility for programs listed above may depend on your FTE or status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc.); please ask a Recruiter for more information during an interview. About Advocate Health  Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.

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