SENIOR INSTITUTIONAL ATTENDANT

Code: 03383@ Local Non-Competitive

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction in a hospital or other institution, performs the more responsible and varied nonprofessional nursing work involved in the care and custody of patients and/or inmates; may take the lead over lower level institutional attendants; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Checks census and counts patients and/or inmates.
• Feeds, bathes and dresses patients as required.
• Escorts patient and/or inmates going to activities, receiving visitors, being transferred or discharged or visiting home.
• May take and record patient vital signs.
• Organizes assigned work and develops effective work methods.
• Cleans assigned wards and rooms.
• Provides guidance and oversight to groups of inmates and/or patients engaged in sweeping, mopping, and polishing floors, making beds, washing dishes, and in doing other similar housekeeping chores.
• Aids patients and/or inmates in feeding and in the serving of meals.
• Assists in the set up of equipment for medical procedures.
• May be assigned to patients or inmates who may require additional attention.
• Addresses more difficult questions and/or issues or determines if such should be referred to nursing or medical staff.
• May participate in and/or lead staff discussions in regard to evaluation of patients and, based on observation and day-to-day contact with patients, provide information and feedback on therapy to medical staff.
• Takes notes on patients' behavior as requested by medical staff and writes progress notes.
• Makes rounds of dormitories and wards during the evening hours and notifies the supervisory officer of any unusual or suspicious situations observed.
• Observes patients during daily activities, supports interactive behavior, and reports any unusual behavior, appearance, or attitudes to nursing and medical staff.
• Aids nursing staff with routine treatments.
• May take the lead over lower level attendants.
• Lifts patients on and off beds and stretchers.
• Calms distraught patients.
• Prepares reports.
• Maintains essential records and files.
• Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording information systems used by the agency, office or related unit.

Experience

One (1) year of experience in performing nonprofessional nursing work involved in tending patients and/or inmates.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of problems likely to be encountered in hospitals and other institutions.
• Knowledge of the problems involved in performing non-professional nursing work involved in tending patients and/or inmates.
• Knowledge of medical and hospital routines, methods, and procedures.
• Ability to comprehend established hospital or institutional practices relating to the concerned work.
• Ability to comprehend the problems of patients who are confined to a hospital or institution.
• Ability to keep wards, buildings and areas in a clean and neat condition with or without the help of patients and/or inmates.
• Ability to bathe, dress, and feed patients and/or inmates.
• Ability to take the lead over lower level attendants.
• Ability to prepare reports.
• Ability to maintain essential records and files.
• Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording information systems used by the agency, office or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

Appointees may be required to possess a Certified Nursing Assistant License (CNA) or a Licensed Practical Nurse License (LPN) valid in the State of New Jersey.

Appointees may be required to successfully complete an in-service training program in the care of patients with mental health problems.