Roles of a Registered Nursing Assistant
A nursing assistant plays a vital role in the care of patients at health care clinics and nursing homes. Not only do they help directly with the care of the patients, but they also provide physical and emotional support to the patients as well.
Responsibilities and Duties
A registered nursing assistant is involved in the majority of the direct care that the patient receives. They help with the patient's personal needs as well as provide emotional support to both the patients and the patient’s family. Additionally, they help to monitor the condition of the patient by taking vital signs, checking the medical equipment and checking the personal equipment.
Tasks
Examples of the direct care tasks that are registered nursing assistant is expected to perform are as follows:
- Answer the call signals of the patients
- Re-position and turn patients who are bedridden
- Help to feed patients
- Measure and record inputs and outputs
- Bathe and groom patients
- Change bed linens and clean rooms
- Record liquid and urine input levels and output levels
Work Environment
Typically, a nursing assistant works is a clean, well-organized area. They can work in a variety of different settings within the healthcare field, such as hospitals, hospices, nursing homes and doctor's offices.
Personality and Skills
It is important for registered nursing assistants to have the proper personality and outlook in life. This can make the job easier to handle especially if you they have to deal with patients who get upset or abusive. Good personality traits include being compassionate, patient, mature and confident. Additionally, they need to possess good verbal and written communication skills and know how to take direction from co-workers.