What does a Nurse Aide do?
A Nurse Aide assists Doctors and Nursing Managers in basic medical duties and patient care. Employers bring them into a hiring organization to help improve the recovery process of patients. They can work in hospitals, clinics, assisted-care facilities, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and other healthcare establishments.
Nurse Aides often work shifts since most healthcare centers are open throughout the day. They may provide basic nursing care to one patient or several simultaneously. Typically, a licensed Nurse or Medical Practitioner in your organization pairs a Nurse Aide with patients, depending on their needs and the Nurse Aide’s experience. Their job requires physical interactions with patients and collaboration with Doctors, Nurses and medical professionals in your healthcare facility.
Nurse Aide skills and qualifications
A Nurse Aide needs a special skill set to excel in their healthcare environment. Some of the necessary skills and qualifications to include in a Nurse Aide job description include:
- Knowledge of basic healthcare practices such as how to record blood pressure and take temperatures
- Compassion towards patients to provide the best nursing care
- Keen attention to detail and time management skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Stamina to assist patients with physical activities like climbing, walking, and walking
- Emotional intelligence skills to assess patients and monitor their symptoms
- Organization skills to care for several patients simultaneously
Nurse Aide experience requirements
When going through resumes for a Nurse Aide, look for applicants who have practical experience providing direct patient care in a healthcare facility. They must be familiar with basic healthcare procedures and how to use medical tools such as thermometers, weighing scales and pipettes. While some Nurse Aides get this experience from previous roles, others attend programs that provide the clinical experience and knowledge they need to help patients.
Other experience requirements depend on the medical health setting and the patient’s needs.
Nurse Aide education and training requirements
A Nurse Aide must have a high school diploma or GED. Therefore, you should include this educational requirement in Nurse Aide job descriptions. However, a college degree in nursing is a plus. Taking courses in physics, biology, chemistry, and mathematics is key.
Nursing Aides need to complete a nursing program from vocational training institutes or private institutions. You may also ask for a training certificate in first aid, food handling, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Nurse Aide salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, average pay for a Nurse Aide in Canada is $18.30 per hour. The salary may vary based on experience, location and the company.
Job description samples for similar positions
If a Nurse Aide job description is not exactly what you’re looking for, related job description samples include: