The Nurse Aide is responsible for performing basic nursing procedures in assisting in the care of patients.
Responsibilities• Provides personal care including bathing, shampooing, shaving, back rubs, positioning patients, making beds, preparing patients for meals, feeding patients, and providing ice water.
• Answers all signal lights and bells promptly to determine and meet patient needs.
• Collects specimens including stool, urine, sputum, and other required samples.
• Collects intake and output information and records appropriately.
• Collects and records vital signs and obtains pertinent patient information according to hospital policy.
• Assists and/or feeds patients, provides between-meal nourishments, provides fresh drinking water, and encourages fluids when indicated.
• Assists in progressive ambulation of patients by wheelchair, stretcher, and bed.
• Administers enemas, douches, and inserts rectal tubes and documents appropriately.
• Applies ace bandages and elastic stockings and prepares hot water bottles, ice bags, pads, and humidifiers.
• Cares for Foley catheters and Levine tubes as instructed by nursing personnel.
• Applies condom drains, scrotal suspensories, non-sterile compresses, and binders.
• Provides postmortem care and transports bodies to the morgue.
• Applies restraints and side rails to ensure patient safety.
• Observes isolation techniques and provides direct patient care to patients in isolation.
• Assists with colostomy care.
• Sets up orthopedic appliances.
• Runs errands, delivers messages, and answers telephones.
• Maintains a safe environment for patients, visitors, and staff.
• Observes and reports safety hazards and prepares incident reports as required.
• Prepares patients for surgery, x-ray procedures, and other therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.
• Prepares patients for examinations and treatments by:
• Remaining with patients unless relieved.
• Providing appropriate equipment and supplies.
• Adjusting lights as needed.
• Cleaning and restocking treatment areas, supplies, and equipment.
• Assists in orienting new patients to their surroundings.
• Assists in maintaining a sanitary and safe environment in service and nursing areas.
• Participates in team conferences, in-service education programs, and staff meetings.
• Assists other hospital employees as needed, including returning patients from Recovery Room, Surgery, X-ray, and other departments when indicated.
• Assists with patient admissions, transfers, and discharges.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
QualificationsEducation• Successful completion of a hospital-approved Nursing Aide Training Program required.
Experience• Three (3) months of on-the-job training required to attain proficiency in the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities.
Required Skills, Knowledge & Abilities• Ability to provide basic patient care and assist with activities of daily living.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, and healthcare team members.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to maintain a safe, sanitary, and organized patient care environment.
• Ability to observe, report, and document patient information accurately.
• Additional training may be required and provided for work in specialized areas.
Licenses & Certifications• Completion of a hospital-approved Nursing Aide Training Program required.
• May require competency listing with the State of Kentucky to work in a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF).
Skills Required
- Successful completion of a hospital-approved Nursing Aide Training Program
- Three months of on-the-job training to attain proficiency in assigned duties
- Ability to provide basic patient care and assist with activities of daily living
- Ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, and healthcare team members
- Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
- Ability to maintain a safe, sanitary, and organized patient care environment
- Ability to observe, report, and document patient information accurately
- State of Kentucky competency listing for work in a Skilled Nursing Facility, if applicable
What We Do
Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) is a not-for-profit health system serving Central Appalachia through 14 hospitals in Kentucky and West Virginia, along with multispecialty physician practices, home-health agencies, home-medical-equipment stores, retail pharmacies, and medical spas. Its mission is to improve health and promote well-being in partnership with regional communities, while providing broad rural healthcare services and investing in medical capabilities.
