Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Group Nurse Assistant

🎯 Role Definition

As a Group Nurse Assistant, you are the heart of our patient care team, providing essential support to a group of residents under the direct supervision of a Licensed or Registered Nurse. This role is dedicated to fostering a safe, nurturing, and dignified environment. You will be responsible for assisting residents with activities of daily living (ADLs), monitoring their health status, and serving as a vital link in the communication chain between residents, their families, and the clinical team. Your compassion, attention to detail, and ability to work within a group setting are paramount to delivering the high standard of care our community deserves.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Trainee
Personal Care Aide (PCA) or Home Health Aide (HHA)
Healthcare student (Nursing, Pre-Med)

Advancement To:

Lead Nurse Assistant / Shift Supervisor
Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) with further education and licensure
Restorative Nurse Assistant (RNA) or specialized certification roles

Lateral Moves:

Medical Assistant (MA)
Phlebotomy Technician
Unit Secretary / Health Unit Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Provide comprehensive and person-centered assistance to residents with activities of daily living (ADLs), including bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and mobility, while promoting maximum independence.
Accurately monitor, record, and report vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse rate, respiration, and temperature, promptly communicating any significant deviations or concerns to the supervising nurse.
Assist residents with nutritional and hydration needs, including meal setup, feeding assistance, and tracking food and fluid intake and output, while adhering to prescribed dietary restrictions.
Execute safe resident transfers and positioning using proper body mechanics and approved lifting equipment (e.g., Hoyer lifts) to prevent injury to both resident and staff.
Observe and diligently report any changes in a resident's physical condition, mental status, or behavior to the charge nurse, contributing critical information for care plan adjustments.
Maintain detailed, accurate, and timely documentation of care provided, observations, and resident interactions within the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system, ensuring compliance with facility policies and HIPAA.
Foster a clean, safe, and comfortable living environment by making beds, tidying resident rooms, and promptly removing hazards.
Respond to resident call lights and requests promptly and courteously, anticipating needs to ensure comfort and a senseblob of security.
Assist with the admission, transfer, and discharge of residents, including orienting new residents to the facility and their rooms.
Promote resident well-being by engaging them in conversation, light activities, and providing emotional support and companionship.
Implement preventative measures for skin breakdown by assisting with regular turning, repositioning, and application of non-medicated barrier creams as directed.
Escort residents to and from meals, activities, and appointments within the facility, ensuring their safety during transit.
Collect routine specimens (e.g., urine, stool, sputum) as directed by nursing staff, ensuring proper labeling and handling procedures are followed.
Reinforce educational information provided to residents and their families by the nursing team, helping them understand care routines.
Participate actively in resident care conferences and team meetings, providing valuable input based on direct observation and interaction.
Perform post-mortem care with dignity and respect, following established facility protocols.
Ensure all personal care and medical supplies in resident rooms are adequately stocked and that equipment इज clean and in good working order.
Adhere strictly to all infection control protocols, including proper hand hygiene and the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Provide a supportive presence for residents experiencing confusion, anxiety, or emotional distress, utilizing de-escalation techniques when necessary.
Assist with a range of motion exercises and ambulation as prescribed in the resident's care plan to maintain mobility and prevent contractures.

Secondary Functions

Assist in collecting observational data for quality improvement audits and resident care studies.
Contribute to the updating of resident care plans by providing accurate, firsthand feedback on resident progress and preferences.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, including Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Dietary, to ensure a holistic approach to resident care.
Participate in daily team huddles, shift reports, and mandatory in-service training to stay current on facility policies and best practices.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

CNA Certification: Active and in good standing Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license in the state of practice.
Vital Signs Monitoring: Proficiency in accurately taking and recording manual and electronic vital signs.
Patient Handling: Skilled in using mechanical lifts, gait belts, and other patient-moving equipment safely.
EHR/EMR Documentation: Experience with or ability to quickly learn Electronic Health Record systems for charting and data entry.
CPR & First Aid: Current Basic Life Support (BLS)/CPR and First Aid certification is required.
Infection Control: Strong knowledge of infection control principles સફેદ and universal precautions.
ADL Assistance: Expertise in providing hands-on support for all Activities of Daily Living.

Soft Skills

Compassion & Empathy: A genuine desire to care for others with kindness, patience, and respect for their dignity.
Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication to interact effectively with residents, families, and the healthcare team.
Teamwork & Collaboration: Ability to work cohesively within a group and support team members to achieve common goals.
Observation Skills: Keen attention to detail to notice subtle changes in a resident's condition.
Problem-Solving: The ability to think critically and respond calmly and effectively in emergency situations.
Time Management: Strong organizational skills to manage and prioritize care for multiple residents efficiently.
Resilience & Stress Tolerance: Ability to maintain a professional and positive demeanor in a physically and emotionally demanding environment.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED.
Completion of a state-approved Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training program and valid licensure.

Preferred Education:

Some college coursework in nursing or a related healthcare field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Nursing
Healthcare Sciences
Gerontology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0-2 years. Entry-level candidates with a current CNA license are encouraged to apply.

Preferred: 1+ years of experience in a long-term care, skilled nursing, assisted living, or hospital setting. Experience with memory care or rehabilitation is a significant plus.