Nursing Assistant

Job description

Overview
The Nurse Aide is responsible for performing basic nursing procedures in assisting in the care of patients.
Responsibilities
Patient Care 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.
• Collects input and output and records appropriately.
• Collects and records vital signs on patient. Obtains and records pertinent patient information per hospital policy.
• Assists and/or feeds patients, provides between meal nourishments, 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 and documents appropriately.
• Applies ace bandages and 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 and scrotal suspensatories, unsterile compresses, and binders.
• Gives 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.

Patient Support & Unit Responsibilities
• 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 by:
• Remaining with patients unless relieved.
• Providing proper equipment, supplies, and adjusting lights.
• Cleaning up and restocking area, including supplies and equipment.
• Assists in the orientation of the new patient to 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, i.e. OR Aide returning patients from the Recovery Room, x-ray, etc. (when indicated).
• Assists with admissions, transfers, and discharges of patients.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Education
• High School diploma or GED equivalent.
• Successful completion of hospital approved Nursing Aide Training Program.

Experience
• Three (3) months on-the-job training is required to attain proficiency of performance of assigned duties and responsibilities.

Required Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
• Additional training may be required and given to work in some areas.

Licenses & Certifications
• Competency listing with the State of Kentucky may be required to work in a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF).