Nursing Assistant

Common tasks

• Turn or reposition bedridden patients.
• Answer patient call signals, signal lights, bells, or intercom systems to determine patients' needs.
• Feed patients or assist patients to eat or drink.
• Position or hold patients in position for surgical preparation.
• Measure and record food and liquid intake or urinary and fecal output, reporting changes to medical or nursing staff.
• Document or otherwise report observations of patient behavior, complaints, or physical symptoms to nurses.
• Provide physical support to assist patients to perform daily living activities, such as getting out of bed, bathing, dressing, using the toilet, standing, walking, or exercising.
• Remind patients to take medications or nutritional supplements.
• Review patients' dietary restrictions, food allergies, and preferences to ensure patient receives appropriate diet.
• Undress, wash, and dress patients who are unable to do so for themselves.

Most important skills

Service Orientation

Looking for ways to help people.

Social Perceptiveness

Understanding people's reactions.

Active Listening

Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.

Monitoring

Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.

Speaking

Talking to others.

Coordination

Changing what is done based on other people's actions.

Critical Thinking

Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.

Reading Comprehension

Reading work-related information.