Job Title: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Company: Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Location: Portland, OR (on-site at OHSU, a Magnet-recognized health care center) Schedule: Full-time or part-time with flexible shift options Pay:$21.81 – $29.09 per hour
Role Overview:
Provide compassionate patient care in a high-quality hospital environment.
Support daily living activities such as bathing, dressing, feeding, and patient mobility.
Collaborate closely with nurses and social workers as part of an integrated care team.
Benefit from a structured work environment with flexible hours, ideal for balancing personal life.
Benefits:
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
Retirement plans, generous paid time off (including sick leave and holidays)
Commuter subsidies, tuition reimbursement, and life & disability insurance
Supportive, inclusive workplace culture focused on your growth and well-being
Great pay, stellar benefits, and flexible shifts in a respected hospital—this looks like a strong opportunity. However, it’s in-person in Portland and may demand varying shifts depending on staffing needs.
I did my CNA clinicals at OHSU on a med-surg floor — great teamwork but lots of turns/transfers; ask about lift equipment and how often CNAs float. Parking is pricey, so the MAX pass saved me. Nights had a solid differential and were calmer for ADLs.
I picked up a weekend day shift on a med-surg unit there and had nine patients; the shared Sara Stedy/Hoyer lifts got booked fast, so I’d call them early when you know a big turn or transfer is coming. For commuting, MAX to South Waterfront and the tram up beat paying for parking.
Seems worth it for the experience — teaching hospital, Epic, and you’ll build skills fast; on med-surg I had 8–9 patients and lifts got booked early. I’d ask about float range, break relief, and night/weekend diffs — do they offer those?
Night shift tipped me over the edge there — the weekend/night diff made that $21.81–$29.09 feel workable, but ask how often CNAs get pulled for 1:1 sit and whether there’s real break relief. Also nail down your orientation length and who your preceptor is; a strong start at a Magnet place makes the rest manageable.
Quick example: my first month at OHSU, the aerial tram hit a wind hold and I was late — now I pad 10 minutes and keep a granola bar handy when admissions stack up. I’d take it for the learning, but I’d ask about the CNA clinical ladder and unit fit; oncology or rehab felt more sustainable for me than the high-turnover floors. If you go for it, @OP, confirm whether parking or transit passes are covered and peek at https://www.ohsu.edu/transportation-and-parking so the commute doesn’t eat your raise.