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State of Washington Classified Job Specification

NURSING ASSISTANT

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NURSING ASSISTANT
Class Code: 287E
Category: Health Care


Definition

Under general supervision of a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse, assists in the delivery of nursing and nursing related care to patients or residents in a health care facility.  Positions provide assistance to medical and nursing staff by performing routine tasks involving direct and indirect patient care, treatment, transportation and clerical tasks.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Under general supervision, performs routine tasks involving direct and indirect care, treatment, and transportation such as assisting patients with daily living activities; preparing patients for surgery; performing non-invasive lab procedures; transporting patients, equipment, and supplies; and assisting with treatments. Performs various clerical tasks such as collecting data, ordering supplies, answering phones, recording messages or referring calls, data entry, photocopying, and completing forms.

Typical Work

Assists residents or patients with personal care and activities of daily living such as bathing, personal grooming, hygiene, dressing, eating, positioning, transferring, taking of fluids, nutrition, and ambulation; participates in creating a pleasant environment;  

Performs basic nursing procedures such as applying anti-embolism stockings, taking temperatures, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure; applies barrier cream and lotions to intact skin; performs non-invasive lab procedures and reports results to a Registered Nurse; 

Applies external appliances such as braces, urosheaths, hearing aids and performs both active and passive range of motion;  

Observes, documents, and reports changes in resident or patient activity and/or symptoms such as vital signs, respiration, discomfort, intake, output, weight, and bleeding; 

Responds to internal and external emergencies and hospital codes including show of force; assists in applying restraints; initiates CPR; alerts RNs of alarms sounding; 

Transports patients, belongings, blood products, supplies, pharmaceuticals, x-ray films, equipment and specimens to and from various locations; assists patients to and from vehicles; stays with patients at destination until someone receives them; transports and prepares for use medical gas tanks such as oxygen and nitrogen; erforms morgue transport; 

Answers patient call lights; determines nature of problem; responds within scope and/or obtains appropriate resources; 

Assists physicians, nurses and technologists with wound care and patient procedures such as application of betadine to limbs, surgical shave preparation, and positioning patients;  

Assists families and visitors in finding staff to address concerns, safeguarding patient confidentiality and privacy; 

Tracks location of patients (arrival and departure) and procedures performed or to be performed; relays information to patient care staff; 

Maintains cleanliness and safety in patient areas; participates in operating room preparation; configures operating room tables for surgical procedures;  

Stocks supplies and equipment; conducts equipment inventory; locates missing equipment; identifies and reports repair needs; helps with quality assurance on processors, monitors and other equipment; 

Performs clerical duties such as collection of data, ordering supplies, answering phones, recording messages or referring call to appropriate person/area, data entry, photocopying, folding, and completing forms; 

Makes beds; stocks linen; removes soiled linen and autoclavible trash; 

Orients new Nursing Assistant employees, students and other patient care providers; 

Serves on task forces and committees; 

Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of: methods and practices of basic nursing and restorative care, personal hygiene and sanitation methods, record keeping, report preparation, infection control procedures and patient/resident rights. 

Ability to: provide a positive living environment for residents relating to meeting psychosocial needs; follow written and verbal directions; document observed changes in patient condition and behavior. 

Legal Requirement(s)

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification.  It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

Desirable Qualifications

High School graduation

AND

six months experience involving customer service in a health care setting or six months experience involving direct patient care. 

OR 

Equivalent education/experience. 

Note: A Washington State license to practice as a “Nursing Assistant - Certified” may be required. 

Additionally, for positions in Nursing Homes participating in Federal Medicare and/or Medicaid programs applicants must be listed as active on the Omnibus Reconciliation Act (OBRA) Nurse Assistant Registry with no disqualifying findings or convictions. 

Continued employment in this class in Nursing Homes participating in Federal Medicare and/or Medicaid programs is contingent upon maintaining certification on the Nurse Assistant OBRA Registry with no disqualifying findings or convictions.

Class Specification History

New class, consolidates 6261 Hospital Assistant, 56600 Nursing Assistant 1 - Certified; adopted May 10, 2007, effective July 1, 2007.
Base salary adjustment adopted 6/13/2019, effective 7/1/2019; from range 32 to 36.

Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.