Nursing Assistants

What the job really is

Provide or assist with basic care or support under the direction of onsite licensed nursing staff. Perform duties such as monitoring of health status, feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, or ambulation of patients in a health or nursing facility. May include medication administration and other health-related tasks. Includes nursing care attendants, nursing aides, and nursing attendants.

At a glance

• Sector: Healthcare Support
• O*NET-SOC code: 31-1131
• O*NET job zone: 3 — medium preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Turn or reposition bedridden patients.
• Answer patient call signals, signal lights, bells, or intercom systems to determine patients' needs.
• Feed patients or assist patients to eat or drink.
• Measure and record food and liquid intake or urinary and fecal output, reporting changes to medical or nursing staff.
• 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.
• Document or otherwise report observations of patient behavior, complaints, or physical symptoms to nurses.
• Remind patients to take medications or nutritional supplements.
• Review patients' dietary restrictions, food allergies, and preferences to ensure patient receives appropriate diet.
• Undress, wash, and dress patients who are unable to do so for themselves.
• Observe or examine patients to detect symptoms that may require medical attention, such as bruises, open wounds, or blood in urine.
• Lift or assist others to lift patients to move them on or off beds, examination tables, surgical tables, or stretchers.
• Supply, collect, or empty bedpans.

Tools and technology

Apache Spark, Epic Systems, MEDITECH software, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, Adjustable hospital beds, Anti-embolism elastic stockings, Automated blood pressure cuffs, Automated external defibrillators AED, Bed cradles

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Home Health Aides
• Paramedics
• Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
• Registered Nurses
• Acute Care Nurses
• Emergency Medical Technicians
• Psychiatric Aides
• Surgical Assistants

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 3 (medium preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Nursing Assistants — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.