Nurse Aide - Psych

About the role

The Nurse Aide performs basic nursing procedures to assist in the care of patients.

Responsibilities

• Provides personal care including bath, shampoo, shave, back rub, positions patients, makes beds, prepares patients for meals, feeds patients, and passes ice water.
• Answers all signal lights and bells promptly to determine and meet patient needs.
• Collects specimens (stool, urine, sputum, etc.), input and output, and records appropriately.
• Collects and records vital signs on patients.
• Obtains and records pertinent patient information per hospital policy.
• Assists and/or feeds patients, provides between-meal nourishment, provides fresh drinking water, and encourages fluids when indicated.
• Assists in progressive ambulation of patients by wheelchair, stretcher, and bed.
• Administers enemas, douches, and inserts rectal tubes, documenting appropriately.
• Applies ace bandages, elastic stockings, fills hot water bottles, ice bags, pads, and humidifiers.
• Cares for Foley catheters and Levine tubes as instructed by nurse.
• Applies condom drains, scrotal suspensories, unsterile compresses, and binders.
• Provides postmortem care and transports body to morgue.
• Applies restraints and siderails to assure safety of patients.
• Observes isolation technique and gives direct patient care to patients on isolation.
• Assists in colostomy care.
• Sets up orthopedic appliances.
• Runs errands, delivers messages, and answers telephone.
• Maintains a safe environment; observes for and reports safety hazards, and prepares incident reports.
• Prepares patients for surgery, x-ray, and other therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.
• Prepares patients for examination and treatment, including providing proper equipment, supplies, and adjusting lights; cleaning up and restocking area, including supplies and equipment.
• Remains with patients unless relieved.
• Assists in the orientation of new patients to their surroundings.
• Assists in maintaining a sanitary and safe environment in service and nursing areas.
• Participates in team conferences, in-service education programs, and staff meetings.
• Assists other hospital employees as needed (e.g., OR Aide returning patients from the Recovery Room, x-ray, etc.).
• Assists with admissions, transfers, and discharges of patients.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED equivalent.
• Successful completion of hospital-approved Nursing Aide Training Program.
• Three (3) months on-the-job training is required to attain proficiency in assigned duties and responsibilities.
• Additional training may be required to work in some areas (e.g., competency listing with the State of Kentucky to work in SNF).