Summary

Under the supervision of a Registered Nurse and in accordance with hospital and department policies and procedures, assists in the care of patients and/or families from admission through discharge.

Definition

A Nursing Assistant is a paraprofessional trained to provide personal care and related health care assistance to individuals who are sick, disabled, or infirm. The Nursing Assistant provides care to individuals receiving services from state-licensed health care facilities or agencies and must hold a Nursing Assistant license issued by the Rhode Island Department of Health.

Brown University Health employees are expected to role model the organization’s values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence, which guide everyday actions with patients, customers, and one another.

In addition, all employees are expected to demonstrate the following Core Success Factors:

• Instill Trust
• Value Differences
• Patient and Community Focus
• Collaboration

Responsibilities

The Nursing Assistant collaborates with the Registered Nurse to organize work and establish priorities. Under the supervision of the Registered Nurse, the Nursing Assistant performs the following duties:

• Provide personal care skills to patients
• Perform basic nursing assistant skills as outlined by the Rhode Island Department of Health, Professional Licensing and Facility Regulation
• Assist with rehabilitation activities, including activities of daily living and patient ambulation as appropriate
• Maintain a safe patient care environment by reporting unsafe conditions or situations to the Registered Nurse, manager, or supervisor; report equipment in need of repair and remove from service as needed
• Recognize and report changes in patient condition by communicating all pertinent observations to the Registered Nurse
• Maintain quality assurance and infection control standards in accordance with hospital and department policies, procedures, and objectives
• Accurately document patient data in the electronic health record (EHR), patient care flowsheets, and clinical data records
• Demonstrate the ability to perform responsibilities during emergency and code situations
• May function as a patient observer
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Basic Knowledge and Education

• Current Rhode Island license as a Nursing Assistant
• High school diploma or equivalent preferred
• Basic computer skills
• American Heart Association Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills necessary to provide age-appropriate care across the lifespan, including consideration of aging processes, stages of human development, and cultural diversity

Experience

• One year of experience as a Nursing Assistant preferred

Working Environment and Physical Conditions

• Works in health care environments such as acute care hospitals, physician offices, and ancillary health care facilities
• Prolonged sitting, standing, and walking
• Repeated bending, squatting, and stooping
• May be required to lift, turn, or reposition patients and equipment

Independent Action

• Works under the supervision of a Registered Nurse within hospital and department policies and the Rhode Island Department of Health Professional Licensing and Facility Regulation
• Refers complex or unusual issues requiring policy clarification to the supervisor

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None