Nursing Assistants

Answer patient call signals, signal lights, bells, or intercom systems to determine patients' needs.

Turn or reposition bedridden patients.

Provide physical support to assist patients to perform daily living activities, such as getting out of bed, bathing, dressing, using the toilet, standing, walking, or exercising.

Review patients' dietary restrictions, food allergies, and preferences to ensure patient receives appropriate diet.

Measure and record food and liquid intake or urinary and fecal output, reporting changes to medical or nursing staff.

Record vital signs, such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse, or respiration rate, as directed by medical or nursing staff.

Gather information from caregivers, nurses, or physicians about patient condition, treatment plans, or appropriate activities.

Observe or examine patients to detect symptoms that may require medical attention, such as bruises, open wounds, or blood in urine.

Document or otherwise report observations of patient behavior, complaints, or physical symptoms to nurses.

Exercise patients who are comatose, paralyzed, or have restricted mobility.

Remind patients to take medications or nutritional supplements.

Supply, collect, or empty bedpans.

Feed patients or assist patients to eat or drink.

Undress, wash, and dress patients who are unable to do so for themselves.

Lift or assist others to lift patients to move them on or off beds, examination tables, surgical tables, or stretchers.

Communicate with patients to ascertain feelings or need for assistance or social and emotional support.

Prepare or serve food trays.

Clean and sanitize patient rooms, bathrooms, examination rooms, or other patient areas.

Wash, groom, shave, or drape patients to prepare them for surgery, treatment, or examination.

Record height or weight of patients.

Assist nurses or physicians in the operation of medical equipment or provision of patient care.

Collect specimens, such as urine, feces, or sputum.

Apply clean dressings, slings, stockings, or support bandages, under direction of nurse or physician.

Change bed linens or make beds.

Restock patient rooms with personal hygiene items, such as towels, washcloths, soap, or toilet paper.

Administer medications or treatments, such as catheterizations, suppositories, irrigations, enemas, massages, or douches, as directed by a physician or nurse.

Position or hold patients in position for surgical preparation.

Transport patients to treatment units, testing units, operating rooms, or other areas, using wheelchairs, stretchers, or moveable beds.

Provide information such as directions, visiting hours, or patient status information to visitors or callers.

Transport specimens, laboratory items, or pharmacy items, ensuring proper documentation and delivery to authorized personnel.

Set up treating or testing equipment, such as oxygen tents, portable radiograph (x-ray) equipment, or overhead irrigation bottles, as directed by a physician or nurse.

Explain medical instructions to patients or family members.

Stock or issue medical supplies, such as dressing packs or treatment trays.