CNA-UMA Certified Nursing Assistant, Assisted Living

A Nursing Assistant, or a Nursing Aide, provides healthcare and support to patients in a medical facility. Their main duties include offering basic physical assistance to patients, feeding patients according to their dietary needs and recording vital signs.

Nursing Assistant Duties and Responsibilites

A Nursing Assistant has several duties and responsibilities that they learn through studies and experience. Since their job is to provide basic care for daily living of patients, their work consists of the following:

• Help patients use the bathroom
• Clean and bathe patients or residents
• Maintain patients' hygiene and change bedding
• Turn, reposition and move patients between wheelchairs, seats and beds
• Serve meals and help patients eat their food
• Measure vital signs like blood pressure and temperature
• Listen to patients regarding any health concerns they might have and report details to a Registered Nurse or Doctor

Nursing Assistant skills and qualifications

There are certain skills and qualifications that are important to be a Nursing Assistant, including:

• Excellent attention to detail
• Great written and verbal communication
• Ability to carefully read and follow directions
• Flexibility in work duties and schedule
• Good teamwork skills
• Ability to lift and move patients
• Good function of clinical skills and knowledge

Nursing Assistant education and training requirements

Nursing Assistants need to complete an accredited training program and pass a state-issued exam. In order to qualify for a training program, they need a high school diploma or GED. Programs can take one to four months to complete and involve classroom instruction and practical experience. Certified Nursing Assistants should be listed on the CNA registry.

Nursing Assistant experience requirements

Since being a Nursing Assistant is usually an entry-level job, they little to no prior experience. Graduates from certified nursing programs complete in-person training, so they have some experience. Some employers may prefer Nursing Assistants with at least one year of experience, especially if they need to work with special types of patients who need extra care. In most cases, Nursing Assistants receive on-the-job training from Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses until they feel comfortable enough to perform their responsibilities with little supervision.