Job Details

City of Portland - Unit Assistant

Position Number: 7092625
Location: Portland, ME
Position Type: Health and Medical Services

City of Portland - Unit Assistant

NURSING UNIT ASSISTANT AND CNA TRAINING
Health and Human Services Department – Barron Center

The Barron Center is currently hiring Unit Assistants to join an upcoming CNA certification course. Earn your CNA certification while working on the floor and gaining valuable experience as a Unit Assistant! Apply today for an opportunity to join a truly excellent, stable, and dedicated professional Nursing team.

The Barron Center, where kindness matters, is owned and operated by the City of Portland and is Maine's largest skilled nursing facility. At the Barron Center, our philosophy of care represents more than a viewpoint; it's a commitment. Every member of our team is dedicated to giving our residents and families care that is supported by the highest order of compassion, integrity, accountability, and respect.

The Unit Assistant is responsible for assisting the Nursing team by creating a homelike environment for our Residents. Unit Assistants also support our Nursing team by providing services to assist Residents' basic care needs within their scope of practice. Unit Assistants perform all necessary duties that are directed toward assisting nursing personnel on the unit with limited tasks and activities, with the intention of becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). All tasks are completed under the supervision of a licensed nurse, in accordance with current Federal, State, and facility standards, guidelines, and regulations.

Job Responsibilities:

Transports residents to dining room and activities. Residents must be wheel chair users or be independently ambulatory.
Makes beds and does routine cleaning and organizing of residents' closet or dresser, as needed. Labels residents personal items, as needed.
Follows established procedures to remove soiled articles or linen to proper receptacles
Maintains clean and orderly linen cart and restocks when needed.
Maintains utility rooms and unit kitchen as needed.
Assists residents with personal correspondence, including assisting with personal phone calls, visits, or virtual family meetings.
Delivers and sets up resident trays as directed by Charge Nurse.

Experience and Special Requirements:

High School diploma preferred, or proof of attendance for secondary education
Prior experience in long-term care is preferred, although not required
Unit Assistants must become a Certified Nursing Assistant within one year of completing on-site course

Applications accepted until 5/1/2026.

Offers of employment are contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory criminal background check.

Unit Assistants will work for four weeks prior to the CNA class starting on 7/6/2026. Class runs for eight weeks and is held Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm. Unit Assistants will work Tuesday and Thursday, as well as alternating weekends.

Salary & Benefits:

This is a union position, CEBA (Grade 3M) - Starting at $18.72/hour, plus any applicable shift differentials. Unit Assistants receive a pay increase once they are active in the CNA registry, as well as a $1,000 bonus after one year of employment

The City of Portland prides itself on its outstanding benefits and collegial and mission-driven work environment.
City benefits include:

Free employee health insurance with the completion of wellness incentives
Thirteen paid holidays
Sick, vacation, and personal leave
Life, dental, vision and income protection insurances
Choice of retirement plans, including a pension plan
Use of City recreation facilities
Fitness reimbursement
Discount on professional development programs through USM and Thomas College

If you have questions or need assistance with the application, please contact Human Resources at jobs@portlandmaine.gov or call 207-874-8624.

The City of Portland believes that to do our best work, our employees need to reflect the diverse, vibrant community we serve. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to celebrating all dimensions of diversity in the workplace. Applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other applicable legally protected characteristics. If you need to request a reasonable accommodation, please call 207-874-8624 or email hrinfo@portlandmaine.gov

To apply, visit https://selfservice.portlandmaine.gov/ess/EmploymentOpportunities/JobDetail.aspx?req=64&sreq=3&form=1000&desc=UNIT%20ASSISTANT