Working Title: Certified Nursing Assistant Lead
Job Class: Residential Program Lead
Agency: Direct Care and Treatment
Job ID : 89407
Location : St. Peter
Telework Eligible : No
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Unlimited
Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers
Date Posted : 10/06/2025
Closing Date : 10/13/2025
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Direct Care and Treatment / DCT St Peter AFSCME
Division/Unit : St Peter / Forensic Nursing Home RT's
Work Shift : Rotating Shift
Work Hours : Varies
Days of Work : Varies
Travel Required : No
Salary Range: $26.12 - $33.45 / hourly; $54,538 - $69,843 / annually
Job Class Option : Human Services
Classified Status : Classified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 204 - Health Care Non Professional/AFSCME
Work Area : Forensic Nursing Home
FLSA Status : Nonexempt
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes
Direct Care & Treatment (DCT) is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment. DCT does not participate in E-Verify
The work you'll do is more than just a job.
At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.
The Forensic Nursing Home is a secure facility that provides nursing home level care to residents who are under court commitment or serving a sentence through the MN Department of Corrections. Residents served at this facility have physical and mental health needs, in addition to requiring assistance with daily cares. The Certified Nursing Assistant Lead (CNA Lead) is a lead-by-example member of the team, providing training, review and advises CNA staff in the Forensic Nursing Home while under general supervision of nursing staff. By taking the lead role, the CNA Lead will mentor peers and provide support for daily work. Effective communication is an important role in the work of the CNA Lead as working with a multi-disciplinary team and clients of a diverse background can require strong verbal and nonverbal communication skills as well as the ability to read, write and speak English.
As a member of a multi-disciplinary team, the CNA Lead provides direct care, treatment, support, and leisure activities to residents of the Forensic Nursing Home while also providing training for the CNA staff in the Forensic Nursing Home.
Day-to-day responsibilities of this position include:
Providing care to residents in accordance with the plan of care and under the direction of a licensed nurse while maintaining a therapeutic working relationship with residents.
Working alongside, providing mentorship and training CNA staff in the Forensic Nursing Home
Providing input on operational processes and participate in process improvement initiatives
Directly supporting residents as necessary including assisting in meal preparation, laundry, housekeeping, and personal care activities, emergency intervention and providing general resident supervision.
Addressing crisis situations that present a risk to the health and safety of residents (e.g., CPR, first aid, emergency physical intervention).
Using non-physical intervention strategies (e.g., negotiation, active listening, redirection) whenever possible to address behavioral crisis and potential behavioral crisis.
Maintaining a clean safe working environment.
Transporting residents, if needed.
The CNA Lead observes, interprets and documents resident responses to their care plans; and provides direct care services and support to residents to ensure they are well fed, cared for, in good health, and included in decisions, as appropriate. The CNA Lead uses nonphysical intervention strategies, such as negotiation, redirection, etc., to control and diffuse aggressive/ violent/ inappropriate behavior. The CNA Lead has knowledge of developmental disabilities and mental illness sufficient to assist with the design and implementation of individual treatment plans and has skills in human relations sufficient to establish rapport with residents, their families and service providers. The CNA Lead demonstrates effective leadership and person-centered skills with their peers and is a resource for questions and problem solving. The CNA Lead is also knowledgeable of the laws, rules, regulations and policies governing treatment of vulnerable adults and operation of licensed facilities, as well as the licensure standards that help keep clients and patients at our facilities safe while also protecting their rights.
This is a safe and secure treatment environment. In addition to a paid new employee orientation, we provide ongoing training and continuing education opportunities to keep our staff and organization on the leading edge of advancements in behavioral health care.
Minimum Qualifications
To qualify, you must have:
Six Months of providing direct care to forensic clients in a secure therapeutic environment.
Current Nursing Assistant (CNA) Certification in the State of Minnesota.
Valid driver's license
Preferred Qualifications
One year experience working in a nursing home
Our employees are dedicated to ensuring cultural responsiveness. Preferred candidates will have a variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.
Additional Requirements
To facilitate proper crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.
REFERENCE/BACKGROUND CHECKS - The Department of Human Services will conduct reference checks to verify job-related credentials and criminal background check prior to appointment.
EDUCATION VERIFICATION - Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their high school diploma at time of interview OR copies of their college transcript or college degree/diploma at time of interview. Copies of the college degree/diploma are acceptable ONLY if it clearly identifies the field in which it was earned.
Direct Care & Treatment (DCT) healthcare facilities require employees to provide documentation that they are free from tuberculosis (TB) through a blood test prior to employment. DCT does not accept TB skin testing
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.
