Nursing Care Assistant 1

General Description of the Job Class

• The Nursing Assistant (NA) is a patient care support partner with the Registered Nurse (RN) and/or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and performs work as delegated by the RN or LPN.
• The NA provides direct care to patients and assists with non-direct patient care unit coordination.
• The individual in this position is expected to perform basic care and comfort standards as well as have knowledge of the patient population needs in the assigned work area.
• In addition, the NA is expected to assist the RN/LPN in the care of acutely ill patients.
• This individual is expected to practice medical asepsis, respect the dignity and privacy of every patient and family, and to respect cultural differences during patient care.
• They are expected to know and adhere to all basic policies and procedures and respond appropriately during emergency situations.
• They are expected to maintain the patient/family environment, perform general unit upkeep, order and maintain unit equipment, and order supplies as needed, with or without direct supervision.
• The NA is expected to use accurate verbal and written communication and to document patient care appropriately in the electronic health record.

Duties and Responsibilities of this Level

• Prepare patients, equipment and supplies for specific procedures and provide manual assistance as required.
• Obtain and record patient data for medical records noting and informing RN/LPN of information collected.
• Administer treatment and personal care procedures to patients including, but not limited to, feeding, bathing, hair care, changing clothing, nail care, bed-making, assisting with ambulation, enemas, skin care, and bowel and bladder elimination; provide such additional care as required to meet the personal needs and comfort of assigned patients.
• Participate in teaching activities by reinforcing teaching instructed by RN and/or providers as needed.
• Assist providers and nurses with physical examinations by helping position patients, changing non-sterile dressing and weighing patients.
• Take and record vital signs, record I&O, and apply ice bags.
• Note and report any changes in patient's condition.
• Turn and position patients, set up and feed patients as necessary, provide patients with fresh drinking water.
• Perform fingersticks for blood glucose testing, with appropriate training, document and notify RN/LPN.
• Assist with admission, discharge, and transportation of patients.
• Follow standard precautions and use personal protective equipment as required.
• Collect, deliver and conduct routine tests on patient specimens.
• Clean assigned area; stock and replenish supplies and equipment as required.
• Participate in own professional development by maintaining required skills validation and attending educational offerings.
• Support the development of other staff and formal learners.
• May also perform clean dressing change for wounds over 48 hours old.
• Perform other related duties incidental to work described herein.

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education

• N/A

Experience

• No previous work experience required. Prior experience preferred.

Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification

• Currently listed as a Nursing Assistant I (NA I) with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Service Regulation with no substantiated findings of abuse, fraud, neglect or misappropriation of property.
• BCLS certification must be maintained/completed by the end of new hire orientation, which typically takes place during the first week of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of procedures and techniques involved in administering routine and special treatments to patients.
• Working knowledge of sanitation, personal hygiene and basic health and safety precautions applicable to work in a hospital.
• Working knowledge of the organization and physical layout of the hospital.
• Working knowledge of infection control procedures and safety precautions.
• Ability to withstand prolonged standing and walking.
• This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling and climbing all day.
• The employee must frequently lift or move objects and patients weighing over 35 pounds with assistance or appropriate lift equipment.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to document and communicate pertinent information using computer and/or paper documentation tools.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients and hospital staff.
• Working knowledge of principles and practices of providing non- professional bedside patient care.
• Pre-employment Physical Capacity Testing may be required.

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