Class Title:	NURSING ASSISTANT - PER DIEM
Class Code:	57784
Salary:	$12.26 Hourly $980.64 Biweekly $2,124.72 Monthly $25,496.64 Annually

Description  Benefits
Under supervision, to assist professional nursing personnel or other professional medical therapists in providing basic patient care and treatment in a per diem employment capacity; to perform nonprofessional nursing duties in the care of physically and mentally ill patients; and to do other work as required. Incumbents in this class are assigned to work in hospital and clinic assignments. Per diem personnel are distinguished from regular employees in that they receive additional compensation in lieu of County fringe benefits and work assignments are flexibly scheduled or on an on-call basis. Nursing Assistant - Per Diem is distinguished from the class of Licensed Vocational Nurse I - Per Diem in that Nursing Assistant - Per Diems are not required to possess a license and do not administer medicine.
Examples Of Essential Duties:
• Gives basic bedside nursing care to assure comfort and cleanliness of patients; takes and records temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure; bathes, shaves, feeds, and dresses patients and assists those capable of self care. • Collects, tests, and records results of routine specimen examinations; gives patients bed pans, removes and cleans them, and records intake and output of patients. • May assist in the administration of such treatments as suctions, soaks, and enemas; gives and empties sitz baths; assists doctors or examiners with IV's, pelvic exams, spinal taps, or other medical procedures. • Assists patients in getting into and out of bed and wheel chairs; lifts or assists in lifting, restraining, and positioning patients; may set up fracture equipment and assist doctors in applying casts and braces. • Cleans and sterilizes instruments, dressings, supplies, and utensils; transports patients to and from units; assists in giving physical therapy and occupational therapy treatment. • Maintains renal dialysis equipment; prepares and transports bodies to morgue; may clean restrooms; sets up oral hygiene trays. • Observes and reports unusual behavior of patients to supervisor; may accompany and attend mental patients in therapy sessions, court appearances, or daily living routines, including social and recreational activities. • May provide patient transportation in the absence of Medical Transportation Technician; assists in admission and discharge of patients from unit; goes on ambulance runs as necessary.
Recruiting Guidelines:
Experience: Either six months of experience as a nursing assistant supervised by professional medical personnel; or completion of a recognized training program in basic patient care. Ability to: Read, write, and speak the English language; learn the principles, methods, and procedures of basic patient care; learn hospital and/or clinic routines and techniques; perform bedside nursing care in an understanding and sympathetic manner; follow oral and written directions; keep simple records; apply proper body mechanics in lifting and moving patients.
Other Requirements:
License/Certificate: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License may be required.
Pre-Employment:
All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of both a pre-employment physical exam, including a drug/alcohol test, and a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment).
Probationary Period:
As an Approved Local Merit System, the County of Riverside requires all new regular or seasonal employees to serve an initial probationary period, the duration of which is indicated in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, County Resolution, or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency/department head.