Certified Nurse Aide Job Description
Certified Nurse Aide Job Profile and Description
A certified nurse aide or a certified nurse assistant has an important role to play as they are responsible for some of the most basic but necessary tasks required of a nurse. They are the primary caregivers and those who interact with patients directly on a daily basis and help them with their fundamental needs. They accompany head nurses and learn to work with different patients with different illness which increases their knowledge and experience. They work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and also with private or outpatient cases, handling the patient’s day to day needs. Personal care consists of an important part of his job duties which includes helping the patient with bathing, cleaning, walking, eating and to help them after surgeries. They interact with the patients on a personal basis and must have a sense of empathy.
Certified Nurse Aide Duties and Responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities of a certified nurse aide will involve:
- Checking the patients vital signs, administering medicines with the right dose at the right time, changing the IV etc
- Helping patients clean themselves, feeding them, combing their hair, grooming them, changing sheets and even carrying if necessary
- Preparing patients before surgeries and helping them with post-operative treatment
- Teaching patients how to exercise in order to aid quick recovery
- Cleaning patients’ rooms, stocking on medical supplies, keeping track of supplies, doing laundry, keeping store rooms clean etc
- Monitoring patients’ behaviour, physical condition and general comfort
- Working with head nurses and assisting them with minor medical procedures
Certified Nurse Aide Skills and Specifications
The skills and specifications that are required of a certified nurse aide include:
- Good communication skills and a sense of compassion, empathy and sensitivity
- Ability to remain calm and comfort patients in times of stress or pain
- Pleasant personality and ability to adapt to different situations
- Hard working and ready to work for strenuous and long hours
- Dedicated and dependable
Certified Nurse Aide Education and Qualification
The education and qualification requirements for a certified nurse aide are as follows:
- At least a high school degree is required
- After that training in state approved programmes for 12- 16 weeks is necessary to get knowledge of theoretical and practical duties of nursing
Certified Nurse Aide Salary
A certified nurse aide usually gets paid on an hourly basis of $10-$15. They also get paid for overtime.