Nurse Assistant

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: Performs routine non-professional tasks in support of nursing service, including tasks involving minor personal services for patients; does related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:   This is non-technical work involving the routine care of patients and the performance of such indirect or non-nursing services for patients and are not required to be performed by a Licensed Practical or Registered Professional Nurse.  Work is subject to general supervision, except activities concerned with actual care of patients, which are performed under direct supervision by the registered nurse in charge of the patient.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

• Assists in walking, feeding and bathing patients and caring for their personal needs;
• Assists nurses in lifting and turning heavy or helpless patients, in restraining irrational patients, in holding patients for treatment, in care of involuntary and disturbed patients, and in preparing patients for surgery;
• Helps regulate number of visitors and gives information to visitors in accordance with instructions from the nurse in charge;
• Assembles information concerning the patient’s condition and enters reports on patient records;
• Assists with training of new employees;
• Cleans and sterilizes hospital equipment;
• Labels and stores patients’ clothes and turns over valuables to person designated by hospital;
• Assists with care and maintenance of room furniture, fixtures and supplies to keep patients safe and comfortable;
• Cleans, dusts and keeps in order, private rooms, ward units and other facilities.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Ability to understand and carry out routine non-technical, oral and written directions relative to care of patients; physical strength and mental alertness; willingness to cooperate and to carefully follow a prescribed routine; discretion; tact and good judgment; ability to get along well with others and to secure cooperation of patients; interest in hospital work; neatness and good appearance; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Either:

1. Completion of a course of study for Nursing Assistant or Home Health Aide; or
2. Six months experience as a Nursing Assistant or Home Health Aide.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCEPTANCE OF APPLICATIONS: Nursing Assistants must successfully complete a New York State training program and registry examination approved by the New York State Health Department within the prescribed time frame following appointment, or present evidence of completion of these criteria.