A nursing assistant is a medical professional under the supervision of a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse who provides support to her coworkers, acts as a liaison between supervisors and patients and provides quality care to patients by helping them with their basic needs.

There are an array of requirements that a nursing assistant has to fulfill to perform the job. Here is an overview about nursing assistant duties and responsibilities.

Assisting Patients: Of the many tasks the nursing assistant has, assisting patients is the primary duty. Nursing assistants help patients with their basic needs, such as bathing, eating, dressing and using the restroom.

Helping Supervisors: According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, taking vital signs and reporting patient health concerns to the registered nurse and licensed practical nurse are requirements of the nursing assistant. To some degree, the nursing assistant acts as the “ears and eyes” of their supervisors.

Miscellaneous Objectives: Nursing assistants are also accountable for miscellaneous tasks. Some tasks include: administering enemas, douches, and removing non-sterile dressings and applying clean, sterile dressings to wounds. Nursing assistants must also maintain confidentiality of patient information and adhere to policies and procedures at their place of employment while upholding federal and state law requirements.

The majority of nursing assistants learn the requirements of their job via a certified nursing assistant program at an accredited nursing assistant school. Another way that nursing assistants gain their knowledge to perform their duties and responsibilities is through an externship where they will receive hands-on experience.

For more information about nursing assistant duties, responsibilities and qualifications, contact us.