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Nursing Assistant (CNA) - Ortho Neuro

Advocate Health · Elgin, 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 during rounding and had to get a nurse's attention right away. What did you see and what did you do?

whether the candidate understands the CNA's role as the RN's eyes and ears and escalates rather than acting alone

Tell me about a time you had a heavy workload with several patients needing you at once. How did you decide what to do first?

prioritization skills under the real pressure of a busy med-surg floor

Tell me about a time a patient or family member was upset or anxious. How did you handle the conversation?

communication skill and composure with distressed patients and families, which matters a lot on a night shift with less staff around

Tell me about a time you made a mistake or almost missed something with a patient. What happened and what did you change afterward?

honesty and capacity for self-correction, since CNAs need to report errors quickly rather than hide them

Technical

Walk me through how you would help transfer an ortho patient who just had hip surgery from the bed to a chair. What do you do before you even start moving them?

knowledge of safe transfer technique and post-surgical precautions specific to orthopedic patients

How do you collect and label a urine or sputum specimen so there's no mix-up between patients?

attention to detail and knowledge of specimen labeling protocol that prevents serious identification errors

What's your process for taking vital signs and getting them into the electronic medical record accurately and on time?

basic computer literacy and reliability with EMR documentation

Walk me through how you'd set up a room for a new patient being admitted to the unit.

familiarity with the admission process and attention to basics like call light placement and belongings management

How do you keep skin integrity in mind when you're repositioning a patient who can't move much on their own?

knowledge of pressure ulcer prevention, a common quality metric on med-surg units

What does hand hygiene and isolation precaution look like for you on a normal shift, and can you give an example of when you had to gown up for a patient in isolation?

consistency with infection control practices, especially on a floor treating post-surgical and immunocompromised patients

Situational

This unit is ortho and neuro combined. How would your approach to helping a patient who had a stroke differ from helping a patient recovering from a hip replacement?

understanding of how neuro deficits change basic care tasks like feeding, positioning, and communication compared to orthopedic limitations

A confused neuro patient keeps trying to climb out of bed even though they're a fall risk. What do you do in that moment?

practical judgment on fall prevention and de-escalation without relying solely on restraints or waiting for the nurse

You're doing a two-person sliding transfer on a 150-pound patient and your partner gets pulled away to help elsewhere. What do you do?

safety judgment and willingness to stop and get help rather than attempt a risky transfer alone

Working 7pm to 7:30am, how do you keep yourself sharp and attentive through the overnight hours, especially near the end of a shift?

self-awareness about fatigue management and reliability on night shift when supervision is thinner

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The full job description

As published by Advocate Health.

Department: 35854 Advocate Sherman Hospital - Med Surg: IU Orthopedic and Neurology Status: Full time Benefits Eligible: Yes Hou rs Per Week: 36 Schedule Details/Additional Information: 7pm - 7:30am Pay Range: $20.80 - $31.20 Nursing Assistant (CNA) Ortho Neuro- Sherman Hospital Full-Time Nights 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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