Restorative Nurse Aide (RNA)

Job Summary

A Restorative (Rehabilitative) Nursing Assistant (RNA) is an individual who provides repetitive services required to maintain or improve the resident(s)/patient(s) functioning which does not involve the use of complex and sophisticated physical therapy procedures.

Duties and Responsibilities

• The Restorative Nursing Assistant (RNA) is personally responsible for all actions taken in carrying out functions as delegated by the Physical Therapist/Occupational Therapist (PT/OT).
• The RNA works closely under the direction of the PT/OT in cooperation with the nursing staff.
• The RNA is responsible for promoting good interpersonal relationships with co-workers, supervisors and families.
• Restorative (Rehabilitative) Care.
• Provide maintenance therapy for the resident(s)/patient(s) based on the plan of care designed by the PT/OT, and in accordance with the attending physician's plan of care.
• Provide range of motion (ROM) exercises on identified residents/patients, including active assistive and passive, to maintain functional range of motion.
• Ambulation of patients, as a repetitive exercise, to maintain or improve strength, endurance, and assistive walking shall be performed by the RNA.
• Parallel bars, walkers, and/or other desires may be utilized when beneficial for this purpose.
• Provide general exercises to promote overall fitness, flexibility and action to stimulate diversion or general motivation and orientation to surroundings.
• Assist patients to carry out therapeutic exercises/activities between physical therapy visits.
• Encourage patients to participate in activities that are within their physical capability, and assist in promoting or maintaining a therapeutic level of functioning.
• Work closely with other nursing personnel on wheel chair transfers, ambulation, ROM, body positioning, and use of proper body mechanics.
• Assist identified patient(s) with dressing self, feeding self, etc. as it relates to restorative/rehabilitative care.
• Maintain necessary verbal and written positive communications essential for continuity of care.
• Encourage participation of other personnel in educational programs relating to restorative and rehabilitative care, and use of good body mechanics.
• Document all restorative/rehabilitative care provided, including results of the same, and pertinent observations in appropriate areas of patient(s) record.
• Reviews care plans and documentation of other personnel as it relates to restorative/rehabilitative care, and discuss any concern with the PT/OT, who will discuss with appropriate nursing personnel.
• Actively engage in quality improvement activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Preferred Requirements

• Associate’s Degree related to Healthcare
• 2 years of previous experience as a Nursing Assistant or CNA

Skills/Competencies

• Must show 32 hours of restorative orientation, preservice and/or in-service in learning basic nursing skills.
• Must show 12 hours of attendance of continuing education, annually.
• Must participate in orientation of the role of RNA in the physical therapy department in-service education sessions annually.
• Ability to demonstrate the ability to safely perform required tasks.

Physical Requirements

• Perceive the nature of sounds by the ear, express or exchange ideas by means of spoken word, perceive characteristics of objects through the eyes, extend arms and hands in any direction, seize, hold, grasp, turn, or otherwise work with hands, pick, pinch, or otherwise work with fingers, perceive such attributes of objects or materials as size, shape, temperature, or texture; and stoop, kneel crouch, and crawl. Must be able to lift 50 pounds maximum with frequent lifting, carrying pushing, and pulling of objects weighing up to 25 pounds. Continuous walking and standing. Must be able to identify, match, and distinguish colors. Rare lifting of greater than 100 pounds.