Nursing Assistant

Nursing Assistant

The nursing assistant is an integral member of the health care team who delivers quality care through collaboration and communication with team members. They work under the direct supervision of the registered nurse to support and assist the nurse in the delivery of quality care to patients and families. Some of the major responsibilities will include collection and reporting of patient data, incorporating organizational competencies of superior quality care and assuming responsibility and accountability for their role performance outcomes while supporting GSPP's Standards of Excellence.

Essential Functions

Patient / Customer

Essential Accountabilities

Receives written/verbal report at the beginning of each shift from the registered nurse (RN) regarding the care that is to be delivered to the assigned group of patients, or for patient needing constant observation.

Gives report when leaving unit, and at the completion of the shift regarding the care that was delivered; any abnormalities that occur during the shift are to be reported as they occur to the RN as well as to the oncoming CNA/NA.

Assists in Assessment

Identifies the patient per hospital policy before carrying out functions.

Assists with data collection for nursing history and physical e.g. vital signs, ht. wt, blood sugar results, functional status and communicates changes to the RN in a timely fashion.

Participates in respectful communication with patients, families and coworkers.

Provides patient and family information to the registered nurse for coordination of care and discharge planning.

Observes skin changes and reports discoloration, abrasions, infestations or skin breakdown.

Planning

Assists in setting mutually agreed upon realistic individual patient goals.

Integrates the RN's directions re: the patient's plan of care into the care given to the patient.

Gives RN report before the end of the shift regarding the patient's response to the plan of care issues, and at various times during the shift to report unusual findings e.g. abnormal blood sugar results, vital sign changes, pain etc.

Intervention

Promotes infection control by using the appropriate hand washing techniques.

Follows standard precautions and any other isolation precautions as dictated by the patient's condition.

Maintains a safe environment and protects the patient from injury by observing the patient who may be at risk for falls, confusion, disorientation, wandering or suicidal behaviors; follows Constant Observation Policy.

Applies and monitors patients in restraints per policy and per medical order.

Observes or monitors behavior/health state and responses to therapy.

Temperature, Pulse, Respiration

Blood Pressure

Neurological Checks

Vascular Checks

Height and Weight

Intake and Output

Bowel and Bladder Function Checks

Pain

Communicates pertinent observations to appropriate members of the health care team in a timely fashion.

Participates in multidisciplinary rounds on the patient care unit.

Performs patient care rounds per unit policy.

Participates in staff and unit council meetings.

Works in collaboration with all members of the healthcare team.

Reports findings to nurse concerning the patient and or family which may impact patient care.

Performs or assists the patient with activities of daily living such as bathing, (bed, tub, shower) grooming, eating, feeding, range of motion, ambulating, transferring and oral hygiene.

Participates in the prevention and treatment of skin breakdown.

Applies current accepted methods of heat and cold therapy as directed by the nurse.

Provides for the patient's oral dietary needs using currently accepted methods.

Provides for the elimination needs by giving a bed pan, urinal, emptying urinary and or bowel appliances or implementing the bowel program under the direction of the RN.

Assists with colostomy irrigations.

Assists with vaginal irrigations.

Applies urosheath/condom catheter.

Removes foley catheter as directed by the nurse and monitors urinary output as directed.

Administers cleansing enemas as ordered.

Performs post mortem care.

Assists the physician to perform physical exams.

Assists with oxygen therapy only and does not regulate the flow of oxygen.

Encourage the use of the pulmonary toilet by using the incentive spirometer, coughing, turning and deep breathing.

Utilizes the appropriate equipment for patient lifting.

Reinforces health care instruction to patients according to the directions of the nurse.

Displays competence in using the following equipment and reports findings to the registered nurse:

Pulse oximeter

Bladder scanner

12 Lead ECG

Data Scope

Electric Fetal Monitor (as applicable)

Glucometer

Foley removal

Lift and transfer devices

iStat Point of Care blood analyzer.

Performs POCT for only those assays for which authorized based on training and competency validation.

Follows all Lab procedures related to specimen handling, processing, test analysis and results reporting.

Follows all relevant safety protocols

Performs proficiency testing in the same manner as patient testing

Adheres to all quality control policies, instrument maintenance and associated documentation requirements

Recognizes test problems that may affect test results and notifies appropriate supervisor

As appropriate, follows lab's corrective action policies when test system performance does not meet specification.

Performs continuous bladder irrigations per direction of RN

Performs Phlebotomy as per protocols (after required training is completed)

General

Ensures communication and collaboration with supervisors and fellow co-workers to serve patients and other customers to the best of his/her ability.

Is professional in all actions and appearance

Anticipates patients'/customers' needs and acts accordingly.

Works to enhance patient satisfaction

Analyzes problems from the customers' point of view.

Honors patient/customer/employee confidentiality.

Seeks feedback on how to improve performance and offers constructive feedback, as well.

Assist patients and families

Applies learning for improved performance.

Demonstrates understanding and ownership of how his/her role contributes to achieving the success of the Department and the Health System.

Demonstrates a personal commitment to ensuring a clean and safe working environment.

Uses resources wisely – as if they were one's own.

Documentation

Documents findings, interventions and patient outcome results on patient documents. This may include I&O, VS, Bladder scanner results, pulse ox results, glucometer results or other findings.

Documents using complete signature, status "NA" and date and time on all charted entries.

Evaluation

Assists in evaluating nursing care given by comparing the patient's functional status from day to day and discussing this with the nurse.

Patient/Employee Safety Accountabilities

Patient Care Providers

Participates in Entity and Department wide initiatives for Patient /Employee safety

Demonstrates an awareness of patient/ employee safety when carrying out daily responsibilities of their position.

Validation of annual competencies required for the position

Identifies the patient per policy i.e. uses two identifiers.

Aware of the Safe Medical Devise Act.

Aware of the Material Safety Data Sheet.

Carries out fire and safety regulation.

Identifies where the oxygen safety valve is located.

Makes occupied or unoccupied bed.

Cleans and restocks equipment as needed.

Observes radiation precautions.

Observes chemotherapy precautions

Demonstrates proper body mechanics when moving and lifting.

Alerts the nurse to the sounding of alarms. Does not change settings or rates on equipment.

Follows HIPAA policies in regard to