Nursing Assistants :: Job Description

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Nursing Assistants

Careers / Nursing Assistants

Summary Description


	Provide basic patient care under direction of nursing staff. Perform duties such as feed, bathe, dress, groom, or move patients, or change linens. May transfer or transport patients. Includes nursing care attendants, nursing aides, and nursing attendants.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Birth Attendant

2.	Certified Medication Aide (CMA)

3.	Certified Nurse Aide (CNA)

4.	Certified Nurses Aide (CNA)

5.	Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

6.	Certified Nursing Attendant

7.	Certified Residential Medication Aide

8.	Clinical Assistant

9.	Competency Evaluated Nurse Aide (CENA)

10.	First Aid Attendant

11.	First Aid Nurse

12.	Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA)

13.	Gericare Aide

14.	Health Aide

15.	Health Care Aide

16.	Health Care Assistant

17.	Health Service Worker

18.	Hospice Aide

19.	Hospital Aide

20.	Hospital Attendant

21.	Hospital Corpsman

22.	Hospital Medical Assistant

23.	Infirmary Attendant

24.	Inpatient Nursing Aide

25.	Institutional Aide

26.	Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA)

27.	Medical Aide

28.	Medical Attendant

29.	Medication Aide

30.	Nurse Sitter

31.	Nurse Technician

32.	Nurse's Assistant

33.	Nursery Technician

34.	Nurses' Aide

35.	Nursing Aide

36.	Nursing Assistant

37.	Nursing Attendant

38.	Nursing Care Attendant

39.	Nursing Home Aide

40.	Nursing Technician

41.	Patient Care Assistant (PCA)

42.	Patient Care Associate

43.	Patient Care Technician (PCT)

44.	Patient Sitter

45.	Practical Nurse

46.	State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA)

47.	Student Nurse

48.	Surgical Aide

49.	Ward Aide

50.	Ward Attendant

51.	Ward Helper

Job Tasks

	Answer patient call signals, signal lights, bells, or intercom systems to determine patients' needs.

	Turn or reposition bedridden patients. Adjust positions of patients on beds or tables.

	Provide physical support to assist patients to perform daily living activities, such as getting out of bed, bathing, dressing, using the toilet, standing, walking, or exercising. Assist patients with daily activities.

	Review patients' dietary restrictions, food allergies, and preferences to ensure patient receives appropriate diet.

	Measure and record food and liquid intake or urinary and fecal output, reporting changes to medical or nursing staff. Record vital statistics or other health information.

	Record vital signs, such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse, or respiration rate, as directed by medical or nursing staff. Record vital statistics or other health information.

	Gather information from caregivers, nurses, or physicians about patient condition, treatment plans, or appropriate activities.

	Observe or examine patients to detect symptoms that may require medical attention, such as bruises, open wounds, or blood in urine. Assess physical conditions of patients to aid in diagnosis or treatment.

	Document or otherwise report observations of patient behavior, complaints, or physical symptoms to nurses. Monitor patients to detect health problems. Record vital statistics or other health information.

	Exercise patients who are comatose, paralyzed, or have restricted mobility. Administer therapy treatments to patients using hands or physical treatment aids.

	Remind patients to take medications or nutritional supplements.

	Feed patients or assist patients to eat or drink. Feed patients.

	Supply, collect, or empty bedpans. Dispose of biomedical waste in accordance with standards.

	Undress, wash, and dress patients who are unable to do so for themselves. Assist patients with daily activities.

	Lift or assist others to lift patients to move them on or off beds, examination tables, surgical tables, or stretchers. Adjust positions of patients on beds or tables.

	Communicate with patients to ascertain feelings or need for assistance or social and emotional support. Interview patients to gather medical information.

	Prepare or serve food trays. Feed patients.

	Wash, groom, shave, or drape patients to prepare them for surgery, treatment, or examination. Assist patients with daily activities.

	Clean and sanitize patient rooms, bathrooms, examination rooms, or other patient areas. Clean patient rooms or patient treatment rooms.

	Record height or weight of patients. Record vital statistics or other health information.

	Assist nurses or physicians in the operation of medical equipment or provision of patient care. Operate medical equipment. Assist practitioners to perform medical procedures.

	Collect specimens, such as urine, feces, or sputum. Collect biological specimens from patients.

	Apply clean dressings, slings, stockings, or support bandages, under direction of nurse or physician. Apply bandages, dressings, or splints.

	Change bed linens or make beds. Clean patient rooms or patient treatment rooms.

	Restock patient rooms with personal hygiene items, such as towels, washcloths, soap, or toilet paper. Stock medical or patient care supplies.

	Administer medications or treatments, such as catheterizations, suppositories, irrigations, enemas, massages, or douches, as directed by a physician or nurse. Give medications or immunizations. Administer basic health care or medical treatments.

	Position or hold patients in position for surgical preparation. Hold patients to ensure proper positioning or safety. Adjust positions of patients on beds or tables.

	Transport patients to treatment units, testing units, operating rooms, or other areas, using wheelchairs, stretchers, or moveable beds. Move patients to or from treatment areas.

	Provide information such as directions, visiting hours, or patient status information to visitors or callers.

	Transport specimens, laboratory items, or pharmacy items, ensuring proper documentation and delivery to authorized personnel. Transport biological or other medical materials.

	Set up treating or testing equipment, such as oxygen tents, portable radiograph (x-ray) equipment, or overhead irrigation bottles, as directed by a physician or nurse. Prepare medical instruments or equipment for use.

	Explain medical instructions to patients or family members. Explain technical medical information to patients.

	Stock or issue medical supplies, such as dressing packs or treatment trays. Stock medical or patient care supplies.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Nursing Assistants and Orderlies
	Nursing assistants, sometimes called nursing aides, help provide basic care for patients in hospitals and residents of long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes. Orderlies transport patients and clean treatment areas.

	Read More >>

Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Nursing Assistants and Orderlies
	Nursing assistants and orderlies work in nursing and residential care facilities and in hospitals. They are frequently physically active and may need to help lift or move patients.

	Read More >>

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Meg Ryan once worked as a journalist.

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