NURSING CARE ASSISTANT

Nursing Care Assistant

The Nursing Care Assistant is responsible and accountable for a variety of clinical and supportive tasks and provides basic patient care under the direction of the Registered Nurse. The Nursing Care Assistant demonstrates excellent customer service performance in that his/her attitude and actions are at all times consistent with the standards contained in the Vision, Mission and Values of Covenant HealthCare and the commitment to Extraordinary Care for Every Generation.

Responsibilities

• Supports the organizations patient flow efforts through compliance to unit and Patient Services policies.
• Remains flexible in cooperation with 24-hour staffing patterns and scheduling needs for provision of care in all inpatient units.
• Communicates with patients and families in a professional, therapeutic, and courteous manner.
• Demonstrates excellent customer service.
• Has clinical and social contact with patients, including all age groups, and is able to appropriately assess, care for and treat them according to the guidelines as defined by Covenant HealthCare.
• Assists with simple procedures and follows standard precautions.
• Performs vital signs, measures height, weight, head circumference and other data as requested.
• Assists with feeding, collects urine and stool specimens, measures Foley and NG and wound drainage output.
• Bathes patients, changes occupied and unoccupied beds, performs dressing and gowning and skin care.
• Performs safety checks to include restraints, falls, and suicide precautions.
• Ambulates, transports and positions patients with proper body mechanics, applying or utilizing special equipment as necessary.
• Provides diversion activities, comforts and supports patients and their family members.
• Assists the patient and family in learning appropriate self-care techniques within the scope of the Nursing Care Assistant.
• Documents all patient care observations and interventions in the electronic record accurately, clearly, in a timely manner following all established policies.
• Demonstrates awareness of legal issues in all aspects of patient care and unit function, and maintains patient rights and confidentiality and actively supports risk management activities.
• Actively participates in quality management.
• Participates in patient care and unit activities to achieve compliance with all regulatory, patient safety, infection control, and safety requirements.
• Updates and maintains knowledge, skills and competencies related to area of practice and ages of patient population.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

High School Diploma required. One of the following is required: Successful completion of a state-approved Nurse Aide training program, OR graduate of accredited Nursing School (ADN or BSN), OR current student in accredited Nursing School (ADN or BSN) upon recent completion of fundamentals, OR one year experience as a nurse aide in a hospital setting. BLS certification required, or obtained within 60 days of hire. Attends unit conferences, in-service programs and continuing education activities to meet the organization's expectations. Certified by State of Michigan as C.N.A. preferred. Minimum of one year of clinical experience preferred.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Computer competency, including Microsoft Office and Outlook.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Must be able to work well with the public and able to be tactful in often hectic and stressful situations.
• Sound judgment in handling confidential or sensitive issues and material.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

• Ability to maintain punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state, and local standards.
• Constant standing and walking
• Frequent lifting up to 25 lbs.
• Frequent sitting, carrying, pushing, pulling, twisting, reaching, handling, feeling, talking, hearing, near vision, midrange vision, far vision, depth perception, visual accommodation, color vision, and field of vision
• Occasional lifting up to 100 lbs. or more
• Occasional climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and squatting