JOB SUMMARY         

            Perform the basic functions of resident care and carries out all assignments given by the Charge Nurse responsible for Unit, Supervisor, or Director of Nursing.  It is accountable for all resident care he/she administers during his/her tour of duty and adheres to all standards of nursing care.  Executes standards of nursing care in a conscientious and considerate manner. Functions as a member of the health care team and promotes and supports cohesiveness among co-workers.

QUALIFICATIONS

            Will be a graduate of high school (or successfully obtained equivalent) and be in good physical and mental condition.  Must have a genuine, caring interest in the geriatric client and willingness to work under direct and close supervision.  Able to follow written or verbal instructions effectively and must be certified in the State of Pennsylvania as a Nursing Assistant.

RESPONSIBLITIES, DUTIES AND TASKS

            The Nursing Assistant or Orderly will provide the following to the resident assigned to him/her:

1.      Oral Hygiene. 

2.      AM care – bathing, skin care, perineal care, hair and nail care, foot care. Shave male resident on a daily basis, female resident as needed. 

3.      PM care - perineal care, back rub, skin care (special) 

4.      Provide clean linen when needed or requested by resident:

a)      Make occupied bed.

b)      Make unoccupied bed.

c)      Change and Straighten linen – remove wrinkles. 

5.      Give and remove bedpan/urinal. 

6.      Assist resident to and from bathroom or bedside commode.

a)      Follows bladder/bowel training program as is documented on resident care plan

b)      Utilizes proper technique in transferring resident – nursing assistant will be attendance of resident at all times. 

7.      Positioning Resident:

a)      Position resident according to plan of care and under direction of R.N.

b)      Reports reddened areas, changes, and other important observations to charge nurse of assigned unit. 

8.      Meets resident’s nutritional needs:

a)      Ensures resident receives prescribed diet.

b)      Serves meals to resident in a polite, comfortable manner.

c)      Assists of reeds resident as necessary.

d)      Encourages resident to eat so that optimal nutrition is achieved.

e)      Serves snacks at designated times.

f)       Remove tray and report assessment of resident’s appetite to Charge Nurse of assigned unit.

g)      Provides fluids as prescribed (encourage, restrict).

h)      Ensures that residents are positioned comfortably for meals and returns resident to comfortable position following meals. 

                   9.  Intake and Output

   a)   Utilizes proper aseptic technique when emptying urinary drainage bag.

b)      Document on flow sheet intake and output of all fluids for shift. 

10      Vital Signs – include are:

a)      Temperature – oral (O), rectal (R), axillary (AX).

b)      Pulse – heart rate in beats per minute.

c)      Respiration - reports rate and description.

d)      Nursing assistant will notify Charge Nurse on assigned unit any changes or abnormal findings. 

11.    Treatments – will be responsible for following on assigned residents:

a)      Weigh resident.

b)      Give enema – Cleansing, Tap Water, Soap Suds, and Fleets.

c)      Perineal Care.

d)      Apply hot and cold compresses.

e)      Postmortem Care. 

12.    Assists RN or LPN with the following:

a)      Use of restraints – applies using bow tie releases every two hours.

b)      Draping, examination and treatment of residents.

c)      Care of resident with:

1.      Oxygen – via mask or cannula

2.      Foley catheter.

3.      Colostomy

4.      Nasogastric tube.

5.      Cast.

6.      Other duties as assigned by Charge Nurse. 

13.    Admission of resident

a)      Will greet resident and assist resident to bed - position comfortably.

b)      Obtain vital signs, weight – report to Charge Nurse.

c)      Orient resident to surroundings

d)      Assist Charge Nurse with admission interview.

e)      Put personal belongings away – label items with resident’s first initial and last name. 

14.    Resident/Family orientation – instruct and explain following:

     a)  Call Bell                        f) Introduce roommate(s)

     b)  Bed controls                  g) smoking policy

     c)  Visitor policy                h) Side-rail policy

     d)  Mealtimes                     i) orient to room

     e)  Bathroom                      j) Tour of facility

15.    Discharge – nursing assistant will be responsible for the following:

a)      Collecting resident’s personal belongings.

b)      Accompanying resident from room to lobby – assist with transfer of patient to car/ambulance. 

16.    Assist with transfer of resident – be responsible for following:

a)      Collect resident’s personal belongings.

b)      Assist with transfer of resident to wheelchair.

c)      Accompany resident to new room.

d)      Introduce resident to new nursing assistant(s).

e)      Provide resident with call light and orient to new surroundings. 

17.    Comfort to resident – be responsible for following:

a)      Resident privacy maintained.

b)      Skin care – keeps skin dry and clean, reports reddened area(s) to Charge Nurse.

c)      Tidy and straighten resident’s room.

d)      Answer call lights promptly and courteously.

e)      Any additional comfort measures as designated by Charge Nurse or as requested by resident / family. 

18.    Be familiar and adept in utilizing any and all equipment he/she may need to perform his/her duties. 

19.    Adheres to and practices all safety measures:

a)      Ensures beds are in low position and locked at all times.

b)      Residents are properly secured in wheelchairs, geri-chairs, etc.

c)      Assists residents with ambulation and transfer.

d)      Make sure that needed articles are within reach.

e)      Enforces adherence to smoking policy.

f)       Residents are restrained if needed and that restraints if utilized are properly applied with release periods every (2) hours at least.

g)      Resident’s rooms are kept free of clutter and wet spots are reported to Housekeeping staff and taken care of immediately upon finding. 

20.    Adheres to standard of infection Control:

a)      Uses good hand washing and aseptic techniques.

b)      Following policy and procedure for isolation.

c)      Help keep unit and rooms clean.

d)      Provide foley catheter care to resident BID or PRN. 

21.    Attends required in-service education programs. Staff and unit meeting.  Participates in and contributes to Nursing Assistant Resident Care Conferences. 

22.    Supports and adheres to nursing Department and Administrative Policies and Procedures.

23.    Reports to unit promptly and attends reports. 

24.    Assists co-worker and other members of the health care team. 

25.    Refers/relates all resident questions/requests to nurse in charge of assigned unit. 

26.    Conforms to facility’s dress code. 

27.    Is rarely sick or absent from work due to health. 

28.    Available and accessible at all times when on duty – when leaving unit, reports to Charge Nurse and assigned relief and reports to same nursing personnel. 

29.    Maintains a professional, respectful and positive attitude towards resident, resident’s family, co-workers, and supervisory personnel. 

30.    Utilizes chain-of-command in an appropriate fashion if a question, concern or problem arises. 

31.    Displays respect for resident’s dignity, and functions to maintain dignity at all times. 

32.    Handles all non-verbal and verbal interactions concerning a resident’s condition and/or comprehensive plan of care in a confidential manner. 

33.    Actively and consistently participates in the facility’s programs:

a)      Wound care                                f) Restraint Utilization and Reduction

b)      Nap Program                              g) Weight Monitoring Program

c)      Repositioning Program              h) Lounge and Leisure Program

d)      Ambulation Program                 i)  Restorative Nursing Program

e)      Dining Room Service                j)  Behavior Management Program