The Duties Of A Certified Nursing Assistant

By Mona Larwance


Hospitals, medical clinics, and nursing homes tend to be busy places with many patients. The nursing staff often needs additional help in caring for sick and elderly people. As such, a certified nursing assistant provides help to registered and licensed practical nurse workers and perform tasks like monitoring vital signs and distributing medicines.

Because such a position demands a great deal of concentration and physical effort, people must learn how to work in such a capacity. They can take classes at a variety of locations, including colleges, universities, trade schools, or even medical facilities. In fact, some clinics and nursing homes offer training to people in exchange for new workers guaranteeing their employment at these facilities upon earning certification. Such an arrangement may involve their working at the location for a set amount of time per their contract.

Once they finish their training, assistants may begin to search for any available positions within their cities. It is well known that many positions tend to exist, as the need for skilled medical workers continues to rise in today's job market. As such, they may consider whether they want to work part-time, full-time, or as needed, also known as PRN. If they have families, they may be able to choose hours that fit within their family's schedules. Many positions begin early in the morning and end in the late morning or early afternoon hours. Other positions require them to work at night or during the midnight hours.

Their job requirements typically involve monitoring several patients. As a matter of fact, nurses may ask their assistants to keep track of a patient's vital signs by listening to his or her heartbeat or taking temperature or blood pressure readings.

Moreover, assistants often help give patients their medicines. When a patient's medical care requires the timely consumption of pills or IV treatments, taking these treatments on time proves to help the person recover better. As such, these workers fill that need in the event that the registered or licensed practical nurses are busy helping other patients. Assistants ensure that a person's medical treatment is being fulfilled.

These workers also routinely help care for a patient's hygienic needs. They may assist a patient in taking a shower or bath, as well as help that person to use the restroom. As such, assistants need to be able to lift considerable amounts of weight.

Hospitals, clinics, and rehabilitation facilities rely on certified nursing assistants to provide daily care for their patients. These workers train for their positions before being allowed to work with others. Their tasks involve monitoring vital signs, giving out medications, and providing hygienic support to a patient.




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