How to find a good nursing assistant

It’s not always glamorous work, but it needs to be done, and the impact nursing assistants have on patients can never be understated. If you operate any care-based institution, or even if you’re in need of a personal caregiver, hiring a nursing assistant is one of the smartest decisions you can make.

What is a nursing assistant?

Nursing assistants enable individuals of all ages to live happy and fulfilled lives by helping them perform basic tasks. Nursing assistants work full time with patients to ensure their daily needs are being met and may even live with the individual if they have significant needs.

What’s the difference between a nurse and a nursing assistant?

While a nurse and a nursing assistant share a lot of responsibilities, there are some important differences. Nurses must obtain a recognized nursing degree and a license to practice. Nursing assistants, on the other hand, need to complete a state-approved education program taught by a registered nurse that focuses on basic skills needed for the job. As a result, nurses are usually responsible for prescribing and medically treating patients while nursing assistants perform more practical and therapeutic tasks. Another difference is that nurses may treat or care for a number of people while nursing assistants are more likely to be employed to care for one person full time.

What does an average workday look like?

A nursing assistant’s tasks and responsibilities may vary to accommodate different levels of patient need. Here are a few things a nursing assistant might be expected to do:

●  Dressing

●  Bathing

●  Feeding

●  Toilet assistance

●  Making beds

●  Assisting with movement (e.g. walking with canes, using a wheelchair)

●  Taking vital signs (e.g. pulse, blood pressure)

●  Reporting observations to nurses

●  Documentation

How has COVID-19 changed the job of a nursing assistant?

The nursing assistant role has become more important than ever in the ongoing public health crisis. The immense pressure on nurses and doctors has meant that nursing assistants have been given more responsibility and autonomy. In some extreme cases, nursing assistants are being expected to perform duties normally performed by nurses, though there are risks associated with this.

Nursing assistants have also had to learn new pandemic-related skills. This includes everything from a heightened awareness of the symptoms of COVID-19 to the correct way of applying and disposing of personal protective equipment (PPE).

What key skills should I be looking for?

Here are some of the key skills for nursing assistants:

• Bedside manner (compassion and empathy)

• Knowledge of medical terminology and common disorders

• Communication skills (written, verbal and/or sign language)

• Teamwork

• Patience

• Attention to detail

• Record-keeping

Where can I hire a nursing assistant?

With job losses in industries like hospitality and customer service, many workers are retraining to work in the care sector. You can now find plenty of applicants repurposing their top-quality interpersonal skills to care for patients. Register now to post your job and start hiring!