Nursing Assistant Certified Medical Surgical

Mount Nittany Health•State College, PA

About The Position

Provides direct and indirect patient care under the direct supervision of a professional nurse and is responsible for assigned care and duties. The position is accountable to the Unit Director/Manager or designee, and, in that person's absence, to the Nursing Supervisor, Charge Nurse, or Nursing House Supervisor of the shift. The role receives direct supervision, with assignments provided at frequent intervals and checked regularly. No supervisory duties are assigned. Care responsibilities include assisting patients with hygiene and activities of daily living, taking and recording measurements and observations, supporting patient transport and admission, discharge, and transfer processes, and maintaining a safe, orderly environment. The Nursing Assistant Certified also documents care, reports patient concerns or changes in condition to the appropriate nursing staff, and assists the care team with indirect patient-care tasks and other assigned duties.

Requirements

High school graduate or GED.
Nursing Assistant Certification required; if Nursing Assistant Certified, certification must be from the state of Pennsylvania.
Meet the American Heart Association's standards for Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) and renew BLS every two years.
Update knowledge and skills on an ongoing basis, including successful completion and maintenance of job-related competencies.
Effectively function as a team member and liaison between patient and staff.
Use verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills; support and encourage harmonious communication.
Demonstrate mental and emotional tolerance, tact, sensitivity, sound judgment, and a highly professional manner.

Nice To Haves

Completion of a patient care training course.
Previous experience in a position involving patient care activity.

Responsibilities

Provide direct patient care and basic hygienic care, including bathing, oral hygiene, and skin care.
Prepare patients for transport and transport them as directed.
Assist patients with activities of daily living, including getting in and out of bed, feeding, and dressing or undressing.
Respond to patient call lights and requests, and relay patient messages appropriately to the team leader or charge nurse.
Take and record vital signs, height, and weight as directed.
Change linens as needed and correctly measure and record intake and output.
Distribute drinking water and nourishment to patients.
Administer sitz baths and hot or cold applications as directed.
Assist with admission, discharge, and transfer processes as directed.
Assist patients with handling and care of clothing and personal property, including dentures, glasses, hearing aids, and prosthetic devices; label belongings and personal care items.
Record and report basic hygienic care provided, patient complaints, and observations.
Set up equipment when trained and perform pre-operative shaving as directed.
Perform bedside glucose testing.
Maintain a safe environment by keeping side rails up after care, keeping call bells and needed articles within reach, keeping rooms neat and uncluttered, and keeping hallways clear of chairs, excess wheelchairs, and litters.
Report changes in a patient's physical or mental level of function to the team leader or charge nurse.
Assist team members with resupplying stock, delivering specimens to the lab, assembling new charts, delivering requisitions to other departments, and running errands.
Clean instruments, answer the telephone, and relay messages.
Document care provided and perform other related duties as assigned.