Nursing Assistant

Overview

Provides patient care applying specialized knowledge and demonstrated clinical nursing skills. Maintains all required Nursing certifications and licenses. Performs nursing duties applying trained expertise, as well as ensuring patients receive the level of care and attention representative of the company's high-level mission and commitments to the healthcare community.

Responsibilities

• Provides personal care including bathing, shampooing, shaving, back rubs, positioning patients, making beds, preparing patients for meals, feeding patients, and providing ice water.

• Answers all signal lights and bells promptly to determine and meet patient needs.

• Collects specimens including stool, urine, sputum, and other samples as needed.

• Collects and records intake and output appropriately.

• Collects and records vital signs and obtains pertinent patient information according to hospital policy.

• Assists and/or feeds patients, provides between-meal nourishments, provides fresh drinking water, and encourages fluid intake when indicated.

• Assists in progressive ambulation of patients by wheelchair, stretcher, and bed.

• Administers enemas, douches, and inserts rectal tubes and documents appropriately.

• Applies ace bandages and elastic stockings and fills hot water bottles, ice bags, pads, and humidifiers.

• Cares for Foley catheters and Levine tubes as instructed by the nurse.

• Applies condom drains, scrotal suspensories, unsterile compresses, and binders.

• Provides postmortem care and transports bodies to the morgue.

• Applies restraints and side rails to ensure patient safety.

• Observes isolation techniques and provides direct care to patients in isolation.

• Assists with colostomy care.

• Sets up orthopedic appliances.

• Runs errands, delivers messages, and answers telephones.

• Maintains a safe environment.

• Observes and reports safety hazards and prepares incident reports.

• Prepares patients for surgery, x-ray procedures, and other therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.

• Prepares patients for examinations and treatments by: • Remaining with patients unless relieved. • Providing proper equipment and supplies and adjusting lights as needed. • Cleaning and restocking treatment areas, supplies, and equipment.

• Assists in orienting 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, including returning patients from Recovery Room, Surgery, X-ray, and other departments when indicated.

• Assists with admissions, transfers, and discharges of patients.

Qualifications

Education

• High School diploma or GED equivalent preferred.

• Completion of a Nurse Aide Training Program required.
Experience

• Three (3) months of on-the-job training required to attain proficiency in the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities.
Required Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Knowledge and skills necessary to perform basic patient care activities under the direction of licensed nursing personnel.

• Ability to assist patients with activities of daily living and provide quality patient care.

• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, and healthcare team members.

• Ability to maintain a safe, sanitary, and organized patient care environment.

• Ability to observe, report, and document patient information accurately.

• Additional training may be required to work in certain areas, including competency listing requirements established by the State of Kentucky for Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) assignments.
Licenses & Certifications

• Completion of a Nurse Aide Training Program required.