Nursing Assistant 1 - 2008

To provide direct care to patients in a nursing home; to maintain a clean and orderly patient care area; and to perform related duties as assigned.

• Monitors patient condition by taking and recording temperatures, pulses, respirations, weights, blood pressures, observing patient behavior, and reporting all information to the nurse. • Assists nurses in patient care by performing routine duties such as toileting, feeding, passing water and nourishments, bathing, skin care, shampooing, oral hygiene, cutting toenails, feeding, positioning, shaving, providing and cleaning bedpans, changing linens, giving backrubs, restraining agitated or confused patients, answering patient call lights, and collecting urine, sputum and stool specimens. • Assists residents in maintaining mobility by assisting in ambulation, transfers, or range of motion exercises. • Prepares body after death by disconnecting equipment, cleansing, wrapping in a blanket, and preparing for mortician. • Prepares patients for examination by helping them undress, taking vital signs (temperature and pulse), preparing wounds for suturing, and preparing a clothing and valuables list for temporary holding or for admission. • Provides indirect nursing care by performing errands such as escorting family members to various locations, helping patients to cars, answering phones, transporting patients from one location to another within the nursing home and assisting residents with ongoing care of clothing and personal property. • Cleans patient and visitor areas, linen closets, nourishment center, porches, utility room and day room, by picking up trash, used equipment and cafeteria trays and properly disposing of them. • Prepares patient areas for occupation by next patient by changing linens, stocking necessary supplies and seeing that the area is neat and orderly. • Assists with autoclaving of instruments and supplies. • Documents required information in patient charts and group books.

Education: Sufficient to perform required duties. Experience: None required. Registration Requirement: Must either: (1) be listed on the Nursing Assistant Registry of the Minnesota Department of Health; or (2) have completed or currently be enrolled in a state-approved 75 hour Nursing Assistant Training and Competency Course or equivalent course required for nursing assistant registry. NOTE: Additional information concerning registration requirements may be obtained by calling the Nursing Assistant Registry of the Minnesota Department of Health; (612) 643-2176.