ED Nursing Assistant

Nursing Assistant

Summary

Under the supervision of a Registered Nurse and in accordance with hospital and departmental policies and procedures, the Nursing Assistant assists in caring for patients and/or families from admission through discharge.

Definition

A Nursing Assistant is a paraprofessional trained to provide personal care and related health care assistance to individuals who are sick, disabled, or infirm. The Nursing Assistant works in healthcare facilities or agencies licensed by the state and must hold a valid Nursing Assistant license issued by the Rhode Island Department of Health.

Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization’s values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence, which guide everyday actions with patients, customers, and colleagues.

In addition, all employees are expected to demonstrate the following Core Success Factors:

• Instill Trust and Value Differences
• Patient and Community Focus
• Collaborate

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Registered Nurse, the Nursing Assistant collaborates to organize work and set priorities and performs the following duties:

• Personal Care Skills
• Basic Nursing Assistant Skills
  • As outlined by the Rhode Island Department of Health, Professional Licensing and Facility Regulation
• Rehabilitation Skills
  • Assists patients with activities of daily living and ambulation as appropriate
• Maintenance of a Safe Environment
  • Reports unsafe conditions or situations to the Registered Nurse, manager, or supervisor
  • Identifies and removes malfunctioning equipment from service
• Recognition and Reporting of Signs and Symptoms
  • Communicates all pertinent patient observations to the Registered Nurse
• Safety and Quality
  • Maintains quality assurance and infection control standards in accordance with hospital and departmental policies
  • Accurately documents care in the Electronic Health Record (EHR), patient care flowsheets, and clinical data records
  • Demonstrates ability to respond appropriately in emergency or code situations
• May function as a patient observer, as assigned

Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Basic Knowledge

• Current Rhode Island license as a Nursing Assistant
• High school graduate or equivalent preferred
• Ability to perform basic computer skills
• Certified in American Heart Association Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to patients across the lifespan, with consideration of aging processes, developmental stages, and cultural patterns

Experience

• One year of experience as a Nursing Assistant preferred

Working Environment & Physical Conditions

• Works in healthcare environments such as acute care hospitals, physician offices, and ancillary healthcare settings
• Prolonged sitting, standing, and walking
• Repeated bending, squatting, and stooping
• May be required to lift, reposition, or transfer patients and equipment

Independent Action

• Works under the supervision of the Registered Nurse within hospital and departmental policies and practices and Rhode Island Department of Health regulations
• Refers complex issues to the supervisor when clarification of policies or procedures is required

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None