Nursing Assistant
Roles and Job Description of a Nursing Assistant
Nursing assistants are the helping hands that work under supervision of registered or licensed nursing staff to render care to patients. These nursing assistants are also named and known as nurse aides, geriatric aides or orderlies. All of these terms are used to refer to a class job of healthcare paraprofessionals who work to assist individuals in their rehabilitation from physical or mental impairments. These nursing assistants provide bedside care to the patients rendering all mandatory nursing procedures, but under the guidelines and supervision of practical licensed nurses or any other health care practitioner.
These nursing assistants are trained to provide care in hospitals, private homes, and to all other individuals that are considered to be in need of nursing care such as patients of old age or geriatric group. These nursing assistants do not carry any license or any standard nursing license for practice, but are trained under nursing schools to provide good nursing care. Therefore, most of the nursing assistant staff carries various certifications and diplomas. In a broader term these are categorized as ‘personal health care workers’.
Nursing Assistant Job Description:
As mentioned earlier, nursing assistants are trained to provide basic care to patients and individuals in need, therefore, their job description sounds demanding but eventually rewarding as well. They are trained to provide and assure excellent care facilities in hospitals and homes, adult day care, and other community, residential and medical facilities at times of needs. These nursing assistants work in close relation with the patients in order to help in their physical as well as emotional needs and they may also be licensed to administer medicines.
In order to have good credits in a nursing assistant job, some basic lineaments are the mainstays. These comprise positive attitude, self-confidence, maturity, sensitivity and fortitude to assess the requirement of situations. Moreover, nursing assistant trainings also include certain skills to lift and carry patients from their wheelchairs to bed and vice versa. They have to be physically strong enough for such tasks and must be in good health to stand for long hours of time. Thereby, nursing assistant jobs sound quite challenging but as mentioned above, it’s rewarding as well.
Nursing assistants with good reputes and job histories are definitely granted for their skills. These could get them great career opportunities and long term facilities with their hospitals and units. Home health units, hospice centers, assisted living cares, and private health care agencies are always in seek of nursing assistants and provide reasonable starting wages including certain allowances which are assured to increase after certain time periods.
Prerequisites for a Nursing Assistant:
In order to pursue a career as a nursing assistant there are certain requirements and qualifications that need to be fulfilled. Though, these requisites vary from state to state and school to school but some basic constants are there to meet in order to apply to be a nursing assistant. To get yourself registered, you must be 16 years of age or older than this. Basic schooling is mandatory and one must be able to understand, speak and write English. Though, certification is not the mandatory criteria but to get good job packages it would be wise to have a nursing assistant certification or have undergone nursing assistant training programs.
These nursing assistant training sessions are offered at nursing schools, vocational institutes, community health care centers and colleges. One can also get access and complete these certifications through online nursing assistant programs. However, it is essential that you select the registered school and right training session that is accredited by your state’s legislation of nursing.
In some states, some prerequisite programs are also necessary to complete before granting admission into a nursing assistant training program. These mainly include math and basic science credits. As you make your way into a nursing assistant training program, you would have to complete 75 credit hours in anatomy, physiology, nutrition, infection control, personal care, communication skills and residential rights. These usually require four to twelve weeks of study and practical sessions. However, a basic nursing training program can be completed in 16 hours of a supervised internship at a clinical setting, while the rest of the time can be then utilized in subject instructions and practice.
Certification for Nursing Assistant:
As you complete your training program, you would have to take a test that comprises of written, oral and practical parts. Upon getting the score of your exam, you will be able to apply for certified nursing assistant to your state’s legislation of nursing which then accredit you as a certified nursing assistant. Once you are done with this part you will be able to pursue your career while continuing your education. Remember, in order to maintain your certification as a nursing assistant you will have to complete a minimum of twelve hours of continuing education.
