Nursing Assistant

About the role

Enhances the effectiveness of the clinical team by collecting patient data, responding to resident/patient requests, providing personal care, and maintaining the clinical environment.

Responsibilities

• Prioritize, plan, and complete patient care as assigned
• Attend to personal care needs
• Assist with patient transfers and ambulation
• Obtain accurate vital signs and other clinical parameters and specimens, including blood sugar readings, EKGs, and drawn blood samples
• Respond to patient requests
• Request RN or LPN supervision with new or unfamiliar tasks
• Review Policy and Procedures prior to performing tasks that are unfamiliar
• Provide emotional, psychological and spiritual support to patients, families, and other associates
• Greet patients, visitors, and associates in person and on the telephone
• Answer questions within the scope of practice
• Relay calls to patients, give directions, and refer inquiries to clinical staff and physicians
• Collect and document in the patient record
• Provide clinical reports at regular intervals to fellow nursing assistants and nurses
• Notify RNs of significant findings or change in patient condition
• Record information in the chart as soon as possible after collection
• Record intake/output totals at end of shift or specified times
• Record patient activity and care on the chart
• Maintain patient confidence and organizational confidentiality
• Operate patient care equipment, including blood glucose monitor, blood pressure cuffs, lifts and scales according to policy and procedure
• Observe patient response to care, engage patient in conversation, and act upon responses or requests
• Complete environmental rounds, keeping patient rooms, supply rooms and hallways free from clutter
• Apply infection control policies and procedures to daily practice
• Perform unit specific equipment checks and maintenance duties
• Meet dress code requirements and maintain adequate personal hygiene
• Clean and restock patient equipment
• Assist with cleaning and monitoring of equipment
• Contribute to PI activities
• Use equipment and supplies as needed to accomplish job results
• Report maintenance and equipment issues per policy
• Report to assigned unit on time, ready to meet responsibilities, and punch in/out per policy
• Maintain Etime sheet as necessary
• Identify own learning needs and attend educational workshops
• Seek resources to meet learning needs
• Attend unit meetings, read unit memos and meeting minutes
• Meet ongoing mandatory education requirements
• Arrive on duty as scheduled and maintain attendance
• Demonstrate flexibility in response to change
• Act as support personnel and perform assigned duties independently to allow licensed associates to complete their responsibilities
• Offer to assist other associates with patient care and unit activities throughout the shift
• Participate in orienting new employees

Qualifications

• High School Diploma required
• 1 year acute or long-term experience preferred
• Basic Life Support / CPR as a healthcare provider per the American Heart Association required within 30 days of employment; certification must be maintained throughout employment