County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under close supervision, to perform a variety of para-professional nursing tasks relating to the care and treatment of patients in a County hospital or clinic; and to perform other related duties as required.


DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Nursing Assistant positions are located within the Health Care Services Agency. They are assigned routine inpatient and/or outpatient nursing duties that do not require licensure. Duties and responsibilities range from basic bedside care, escorting patients, maintaining medical supplies/equipment to assisting in basic or routine nursing procedures and examinations of patients. Nursing Assistants are distinguished from the next higher level class of Licensed Vocational Nurses in that incumbents of the latter class have completed a formal vocational nursing training program and possess a valid L.V.N license issued by the State of California.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Assists registered nurses and licensed vocational nurses in administering treatment and other nursing tasks as needed; answers call lights and administers to patient comfort and safety by adjusting beds, lights, bed rails, pillows, patients' clothing and bedside tables/ equipment; observes and reports any deviation in patient's condition/status; keeps patient areas clean and orderly.

2. Assists patients with meals, personal hygiene and incontinent care; gives cleansing and retention enemas to patients; assists in catheterization and bladder irrigations.

3. Obtains and sets up suction equipment; performs nasal and tracheal suctions; administers oxygen using tents and masks; turns and positions patients; assists patients to and from wheelchairs and gurneys; and assists patients with ambulation and crutch walking.

4. Takes patients’ vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure); performs routine tests such as urine dip stick, vision and hearing tests; administers simple range of motion exercises; assists in application of traction devices; positions and drapes patients for examination or treatment; transports patients to other areas of the hospital in wheelchairs or gurneys.

5. When assigned to an outpatient setting, prepares examination room, ensuring that it is stocked with the necessary supplies, equipment and instruments for the type of clinic to be held; weighs, takes and documents patients' vital signs; assists physicians or mid-level practitioners during the examination as directed; collects, labels and takes specimens to the lab; assists in the maintenance of a clean and well-supplied clinical area; stocks shelves and monitors expiration of medical supplies and medications.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I
Experience:

The equivalent of six months of para-professional nursing training as a Hospital Services Trainee in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

Or II
Experience:

The equivalent of one-year full-time recent experience performing work comparable to a Nursing Assistant in a hospital or medical facility.

Substitution:

Possession of a Medical Assisting certificate plus at least the equivalent of 6 months of recent experience as a Medical Assistant may be substituted for the above one-year required experience only for certain Nursing Assistant positions located within Alameda County clinics.

Special Requirement:

Positions at Highland and Fairmont Hospital require current certification as a Nursing Assistant.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Basic nursing practices of bedside care, including hospital ward routine and patient hygiene.
• Various types of equipment and supplies relating to patient care and their application.
• Basic human anatomy, medical terminology and abbreviations.
• Methods of isolation, aseptic and sterile techniques.
• Collection, handling and transporting of specimens collected.

Ability to:

• Provide sympathetic nursing care.
• Take and record vital signs such as blood pressure, temperature, pulse and respiration.
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Maintain simple records and document patient case accurately.
• Perform physically demanding tasks as required such as the transportation and physical handling of heavy debilitated patients.
• Interact effectively with patients, family members, physicians and other co-workers.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

LH:kb
12/5/77
TMZ:pb
Revised: 5/8/89
TMZ:pb
Revised: 9/15/89
Old document: 0467h
New document: Jobspecs/5415
ys/6/01
CSC Date: 10/11/89

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.