Care Assistant

Nursing Assistant (Na)

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of Duke Health's four hospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.

Duke Nursing Highlights:

• Duke University Health System is designated as a Magnet organization
• Nurses from each hospital are consistently recognized each year as North Carolina's Great 100 Nurses.
• Duke University Health System was awarded the American Board of Nursing Specialties Award for Nursing Certification Advocacy for being strong advocates of specialty nursing certification.
• Duke University Health System has 6000 + registered nurses
• Quality of Life: Living in the Triangle!
• Relocation Assistance (based on eligibility)

General Description of the Job Class

The Nursing Assistant (NA) is a patient care support partner with the Registered Nurse (RN) and/or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and performs work as delegated by the RN or LPN. The NA provides direct care to patients and assists with non-direct patient care unit coordination. The individual in this position is expected to perform basic care and comfort standards as well as have knowledge of the patient population needs in the assigned work area. In addition, the NA is expected to assist the RN in the care of acutely ill patients. This individual is expected to practice medical asepsis, respect the dignity and privacy of every patient and family, and to respect cultural differences during patient care. They are expected to know and adhere to all basic policies and procedures and respond appropriately during emergency situations. They are expected to maintain the patient/family environment, perform general unit upkeep, order and maintain unit equipment, and order supplies as needed, with or without direct supervision. The NA is expected to use accurate verbal and written communication and to document patient care appropriately in the electronic health record. Perform tasks within the scope of a Nursing Care Assistant I and II as defined by the NC Board of Nursing. Perform a variety of clerical duties involved in preparing, maintaining, and processing patient, unit(s) and hospital data and records to include operating the organization's patient care information systems. Individuals in this role are typically scheduled for NCA II shifts at minimum 75% of the time.

Duties and Responsibilities of this Level

Prepare patients, equipment and supplies for specific procedures and provide manual assistance as required.

Obtain and record patient data for medical records noting and informing RN/LPN of information collected.

Administer treatment and personal care procedures to patients including, but not limited to, feeding, bathing, hair care, changing clothing, nail care, bed-making, assisting with ambulation, enemas, skin care, and bowel and bladder elimination; provide such additional care as required to meet the personal needs and comfort of assigned patients.

Participate in teaching activities by reinforcing teaching instructed by RN and/or providers as needed.

Assist providers and nurses with physical examinations by helping position patients, changing non-sterile dressing and weighing patients.

Take and record vital signs, record I&O, and apply ice bags. Note and report any changes in patient's condition. Turn and position patients, set up and feed patients as necessary, provide patients with fresh drinking water.

Perform fingersticks for blood glucose testing, with appropriate training, document and notify RN/LPN.

Assist with admission, discharge, and transportation of patients. Follow standard precautions and use personal protective equipment as required.

Collect, deliver and conduct routine tests on patient specimens. Clean assigned area; stock and replenish supplies and equipment as required.

Participate in own professional development by maintaining required skills validation and attending educational offerings. Support the development of other staff and formal learners.

May also perform clean dressing change for wounds over 48 hours old.

Perform a variety of clerical tasks involved in operating the organization's patient care information system. Acknowledge orders on EMR task list, verify printout and input verified orders to request diets, treatments, nursing services, equipment and diagnostic and laboratory tests and procedures.

Assemble and maintain patient charts from admission through discharge. Prepare and upload paper documents into the electronic medical record (EMR). Navigate electronic medical record, access patient information, generate reports, schedule appointments and manage task list.

Assign nursing staff to communication systems.

Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

In addition to the NCA I duties outlined, the following duties may be performed: sterile dressing change for wounds over 48 hours old and wound irrigation; IV fluid assistance activities; oral/nasogastric feeding; urinary catheterization and irrigation; oxygen therapy, including room set-up and monitoring flow-rate; break up and removal of fecal impaction; oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal suctioning; tracheotomy care; ostomy care and irrigation. These additional skills will require competency validation on hire as well as annual competency validation.

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education

Completion of Level I Nurse Aide education program approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing or successful completion of the NC - approved Nurse Aide I competency test and completion of Level II Nurse Aide education programs approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing.

High School diploma or equivalent required.

Experience

N/A

Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification

Listed as NA I with the Division of Facility Services with no substantiated findings of abuse, fraud, neglect or misappropriation of property. Listed as NA II with the North Carolina Board of Nursing.

BCLS certification must be maintained/completed by the end of new hire orientation, which typically takes place during the first week of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Working knowledge of sterile techniques and special procedures that are applicable to work performed.

Working knowledge of procedures and techniques involved in administering routine and special treatments to patients.

Working knowledge of principles and practices of providing nonprofessional bedside patient care.

Working knowledge of sanitation, personal hygiene and basic health and safety precautions applicable to work in a hospital.

Working knowledge of infection control procedures and safety precautions.

Ability to withstand prolonged standing and walking.

This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling and climbing all day. The employee must frequently lift or move objects and patients weighing over 35 pounds with assistance or appropriate lift equipment.

Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Ability to document and communicate pertinent information using computer and/or paper documentation tools.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients and hospital staff.

Working knowledge of the organization and physical layout of the hospital.

Pre-employment Physical Capacity Testing may be required.