LNA Apprentice (Full Time)

North Country Healthcare•Colebrook, NH

61d

About The Position

The Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) Apprentice is an employee actively enrolled in an approved nursing assistant training program and participates in classroom instruction, laboratory training, and supervised clinical experiences while working toward New Hampshire LNA certification. Under the direct supervision and direction of a Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), clinical instructor, or other designated licensed healthcare professional, the apprentice assists with basic patient care appropriate to their education, training, demonstrated competency, and program requirements. The role promotes patient dignity, privacy, safety, and comfort while developing the knowledge, skills, and behaviors needed to transition into the Licensed Nursing Assistant role after successfully completing the training program and obtaining required certification. The position is with North Country Healthcare, a nonprofit affiliation of four medical facilities in New Hampshire's White Mountains Region. NCH provides integrated patient care through community hospitals, specialty clinics, and home health and hospice services, and emphasizes High-Reliability Organization principles, safety, accountability, and consistent high performance. The anticipated hourly rate is $17.34; compensation will be updated upon successful completion of LNA licensing.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Enrollment in and active participation in an approved Nursing Assistant Training Program.
Meet all eligibility requirements established by the approved training program.
Additional healthcare-related training certifications appropriate to student status.
Employees and contracted staff must successfully complete an American Heart Association-accredited Basic Life Support (BLS) course, or ACLS and PALS combined for clinical staff, or Heartsaver CPR AED for nonclinical staff, with regular renewal as applicable to position-specific requirements.
No prior healthcare experience is required.
Ability to participate successfully in patient care activities as part of an approved nursing assistant training program.
Skills include active listening, attention to detail, basic patient care, communication, compassionate care, customer service, dependability, infection prevention awareness, interpersonal communication, observation and reporting, organization, professionalism, respect for privacy and confidentiality, teamwork and collaboration, and time management.
Ability to maintain sustained concentration and attention to detail during hands-on patient care and operational tasks.
Ability to assess, interpret, and respond appropriately to changing patient conditions, environmental factors, and safety concerns in a fast-paced healthcare environment.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills during routine and emergency situations.
Ability to prioritize multiple tasks while meeting productivity, quality, and patient care expectations.
Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with patients, families, physicians, and interdisciplinary team members through verbal, written, and auditory methods.
Ability to comprehend, retain, and apply complex instructions, policies, procedures, and technical information.
Ability to remain mentally alert and situationally aware and coordinate activities while standing, walking, lifting, and using fine motor skills for prolonged periods.
Ability to adapt professionally to interruptions, changing workflows, varying patient volumes, and evolving clinical priorities.
Ability to work safely around body fluids, chemicals, medical equipment, and other healthcare-related hazards while following infection prevention and safety protocols.
Ability to accurately distinguish colors, sounds, visual cues, and monitor readings necessary for safe patient care and equipment operation.
Ability to maintain emotional stability, professionalism, and effective interpersonal interactions during stressful, sensitive, or physically demanding situations.
Ability to collaborate as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team while maintaining confidentiality and complying with organizational standards.

Responsibilities

Participate in required classroom instruction, laboratory experiences, clinical training activities, orientation programs, and competency validation associated with the approved Nursing Assistant Training Program.
Perform only patient care activities that have been taught, validated, authorized by the training program, and assigned under appropriate supervision.
Assist patients with personal hygiene, grooming, bathing, dressing, oral care, and other activities of daily living consistent with approved training and demonstrated competency.
Support patient nutrition and hydration, including meal assistance, feeding support, and monitoring intake as directed by licensed staff.
Assist with elimination needs, toileting, continence care, and related patient support activities under appropriate supervision.
Obtain and report vital signs, weights, intake and output, and other patient observations within the apprentice's approved training and competency level.
Assist with ambulation, repositioning, transfers, range-of-motion activities, and mobility support according to established safety practices and training requirements.
Observe patient conditions during assigned care and promptly report changes, concerns, abnormal findings, or potential safety risks to the supervising RN, LPN, or clinical instructor.
Maintain patient dignity, confidentiality, privacy, and respect when providing care and interacting with patients, families, visitors, and coworkers.
Help maintain a safe, clean, organized, and comfortable patient environment, including room organization, supply replenishment, and equipment readiness.
Communicate assigned-care activities, observations, task completion, and patient concerns to supervising licensed staff in a timely and professional manner.
Document patient care activities and observations only as permitted by organizational policy and training program requirements, and under required supervision or review.
Respond appropriately during emergencies by following licensed staff directions and performing only tasks appropriate to the apprentice role and current training level.
Maintain positive working relationships with patients, families, clinical instructors, licensed staff, medical staff, support personnel, and other healthcare team members.
Demonstrate accountability, professionalism, appropriate appearance, effective time management, compliance with organizational policies, and commitment to ongoing learning while preparing to transition into the Licensed Nursing Assistant role.
Perform additional duties as assigned.