JobsAdvocate Health

CNA Nursing Assistant I- Step Down Unit

Advocate Health · Park Ridge, IL

Posted Sep 2, 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 during rounding that wasn't part of your assigned task list. What did you do?

whether the candidate proactively observes and escalates rather than staying narrowly task-focused

Tell me about a time you had more patients or tasks than you could get to right away. How did you decide what came first?

prioritization skills under a real patient load

Tell me about a time you worked with a family member who was upset or difficult during a patient's stay.

communication skills and composure with families under stress

Have you ever had to give post-mortem care or handle a difficult end-of-life situation? How did you manage it emotionally?

emotional resilience and professionalism around death and dying, common on step-down units

Tell me about a time you made a mistake or almost made one while caring for a patient. What did you do afterward?

honesty, accountability, and whether they report errors instead of hiding them

Technical

Walk me through how you'd take and document a full set of vitals and I&O for a patient on this unit.

basic competency with core CNA tasks and comfort with EMR documentation

How would you collect and label a urine or stool specimen so it doesn't get mixed up with another patient's?

attention to detail on specimen identification, a common source of serious errors

What's your understanding of hand hygiene and isolation precautions, and when would you need to gown up before entering a room?

basic infection control knowledge required on a step-down unit

Describe how you'd set up a room and orient a patient during a transfer or admission.

familiarity with routine unit workflow and patient-centered communication

How would you approach caring for patients across different age groups, from a younger adult to an elderly patient with dementia?

understanding of age-specific care needs mentioned in the job standards

Situational

A patient on your unit needs to be repositioned and they weigh more than you can safely move alone. What do you do?

knowledge of safe transfer technique, use of assistive devices, and willingness to ask for help

You answer a call light and the patient is anxious and says they can't breathe right, but the RN is in another room with another patient. What do you do?

judgment about escalation and staying with the patient versus leaving to find help

This unit works 12-hour shifts with weekend and holiday rotation. How do you think you'll handle that schedule alongside everything else in your life?

realistic commitment to the shift pattern and attendance reliability

If you noticed a coworker skipping hand hygiene or not following isolation protocol, what would you do?

willingness to uphold safety standards and speak up among peers

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Advocate Health from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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The full job description

As published by Advocate Health.

Department: 34406 Advocate Lutheran General Hospital - Med Surg: IU 9ADM 3 East Overflow Status: Full time Benefits Eligible: Yes Hou rs Per Week: 36 Schedule Details/Additional Information: 3 12hrs shifts, 7a-1930 EO weekend and holiday rotation 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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