Assistant in Nursing Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

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An assistant in nursing or nursing support worker, works under the supervision of a registered nurse to help provide care for patients. Their duties include assisting patients with basic needs such as personal care, mobility and communication, assisting in basic treatment and maintaining patient records.

Assistant in nursing duties and responsibilities

Assistants in nursing support registered nurses in a variety of ways to meet patient treatment needs. They implement basic rehabilitation and therapies according to treatment plans created by more senior medical staff. They also assist patients with all of their other, everyday needs while in a medical facility, cultivating strong relationships in the process. Other duties and responsibilities include the following:

  • helping patients with their personal hygiene and other needs, including washing, toileting, shaving, oral hygiene, dressing and eating
  • providing mobility and communication support
  • assisting in implementing therapies according to treatment plans
  • assisting with rehabilitation exercises, basic treatments and delivery of medications
  • monitoring patient condition and alerting registered nurses when required
  • maintaining accurate and detailed patient records
  • cultivating strong relationships with patients to assist in their treatment.

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Assistant in Nursing Job Description Examples:

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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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What does an assistant in nursing do?

Assistants in nursing work in a variety of healthcare settings, including aged-care homes, hospitals and other facilities. They work with registered nurses to improve patient welfare and comfort and to assist in the implementation of their treatment regimes. Specifically, they assist patients with their personal care and hygiene needs and provide mobility support when required. 

Under the supervision of registered nurses, they also administer basic medicines and assist with rehabilitation as part of patient treatment plans. Assistants in nursing maintain patient records and cultivate strong relationships with their patients through effective communication and empathy.

Assistant in nursing skills and qualifications

Successful assistants in nursing should at least have completed high school. As a core part of a patient’s health team, they should be adept at working with others as well as providing compassionate support to patients. Communication skills are a high priority, as is diligent record-keeping and a keen eye for detail. A Certificate III in Health Services Assistance or related field of study is usually desirable. Other skills and qualifications include the following:

  • ability to communicate clearly in English
  • effective interpersonal skills and warm bedside manner
  • ability to work as part of a team
  • eye for detail to spot changes in patient condition.

Assistant in nursing experience requirements

As an assistant in nursing is generally an entry-level role, prior work experience is not usually required. Graduates will generally receive on-the-job training from senior nursing staff until they are comfortable carrying out their duties on their own. The exception to this may be for positions responsible for patients with multiple, complex or challenging conditions. In this case, assistants in nursing with at least a year’s experience may be preferred.

Assistant in nursing education and training requirements

Hospitals and aged care facilities typically require assistants to hold or be working towards a Certificate III level qualification in a relevant field of study. These could include a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance or a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing, Disability, or Home and Community).

Undergraduate students currently undertaking studies in nursing or health may also be able to work as an assistant in nursing while they are studying, though this is not a requirement.

Assistant in nursing salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for an assistant in nursing is $61,476 per year. Actual salaries can vary depending on location, candidate experience, position seniority and the specific organisation.

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