Nursing Assistant/Patient
Care Assistant

Nursing assistants perform simple, basic patient care under the supervision of registered nurses and licensed vocational nurses. They have a broad range of duties including bathing, walking, and feeding patients; making beds; assisting patients in and out of bed; dressing and shaving patients; and taking vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse, and temperature.

Work Environment
Generally, nursing assistants and patient care assistants work in well-lit, clean surroundings. They must have physical stamina because they are on their feet most of the time and are required to lift and move patients. The workweek is usually 40 hours and includes weekends, nights, and holidays. Advancement requires additional education. Nursing assistants may be given advanced standing in patient care assistant programs. Patient care assistants and nursing assistants may be given advanced standing in licensed vocational nursing programs.

Job Outlook
An aging population is increasing the need for nursing assistants.

Length of Training/
Requirements
Many programs require that the applicant be at least 16 years of age and a high school graduate. Training programs provide instruction and supervised clinical experience related to basic patient care, medical terminology, nutrition, taking patient vital signs, interpersonal/communication skills, basic anatomy, safety measures, infection control, assisting with therapies, and employability skills. The patient care assistant program is about 300 hours (15 weeks) long.

Salary
Salary depends on education, geography, job setting, and experience. Current salaries range from $22,000 - $29,000.

Educational Programs
Certificate Programs
Allied Health Careers
Alvin Community College
Angelina College
Bee County College
Brazosport College
Central Texas College
Lamar University - Beaumont
Lamar University - Orange
Lamar University - Port Arthur
San Antonio College
Texas School of Business
Transworld Academy
Victoria College
Wharton County Junior College