Assists nurses by performing various basic care activities related to services essential to caring for the personal needs and comfort of patient. Functions include, but are not limited to, dressing, grooming, bathing, feeding, toileting, taking vital signs, oral care, nail care, catheter care, answering call lights, assisting patients in wheel chairs, transporting, turning bedridden patients, reporting patient changes, filling linens, and taking out trash. Training for certification may vary, depending on the program, but typically consists of 200 hours of classroom and clinical hours. Functions may not exceed Standards of Practice as accorded by certification.: Provides simple or uncomplicated patient care. Bathes and dresses bed patients, combs hair, and otherwise attends to their comfort and personal appearance. Cleans room and changes bed linen. Takes and records temperature, pulse, and respiration rate. Gives medication as directed by Physician or Nurse and makes notation of amount and time given. Gives enemas, douches, massages, and alcohol rubs. Applies hot and cold compresses and hot water bottles. Sterilizes equipment and supplies, using germicides, sterilizer, or autoclave. Prepares food trays, feeds patients, and records food and liquid intake and output. Cooks, washes, cleans, and does other housekeeping duties in private home. May give injections. May care for infants and small children in private home.
