The Responsibilities of a Nursing Assistant

Working as a nursing assistant can be an extremely rewarding and compassionate job, that involves a host of different skills and duties.

In the UAE, there is great demand for nursing assistants, with individuals coming from all over the world to work here.

Employed at a range of facilities, nursing assistants can be working in environments spanning from hospitals and clinics, to care homes, hospices, and private homes.

Able to provide a high level of care for patients, they have a range of responsibilities and are permitted to carry out a selection of tasks.

What is a nursing assistant?

In the UAE, a nursing assistant is ranked below a registered nurse, but is still required to have a DHA License to practice and must have a certain level of qualifications.

These include:

• A diploma or higher in Nursing from a recognized institution
• 2 years of professional experience

Duties and responsibilities of a nursing assistant

When working as a nursing assistant, you will be required to carry out a number of different tasks all relating to a patient’s care and overall wellbeing.

In many cases, nursing assistants are working in care facilities or private homes, where they will be the main care provider for a patient.

Even in medical clinics and facilities, their roles and responsibilities are designated but not limited to the following:

•  Ensuring the hygiene of a patient
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming
• Serving a patient’s meals and assisting them to eat
• Creating a clean and sanitized environment
• Assisting with mobility
  • Helping a patient in and out of bed, to the washroom etc.
• Checking vital signs (blood pressure, blood sugar etc.)
• Observing the patient’s wellbeing and needs
• Changing their bedding and other personal items as needed
• Recording their vitals and general wellbeing
• Communicating with senior staff, health teams and the patient’s family

However, there are some tasks that nursing assistants are not permitted to carry out. These include:

• Injections
• Tube feeding
• Treating open wounds

Unique aspects of being a nursing assistant in the UAE

To become a nursing assistant in the UAE, you must have completed a certain amount of experience and have a specific level of qualifications before you are allowed to practice.

As a country with a huge percentage of expats, the UAE is filled with different cultures, giving you incredible experience, both working for and caring for different nationalities from around the world.

With the population continuing to expand, so is the demand for healthcare professionals, meaning that there are great opportunities for those hoping to work here as nursing assistants.

The UAE laws also mean that your nursing assistant salary will be tax free, with many earning anywhere from AED3,000 per month to higher salaries and pay grades.

Impact of a nursing assistant on patient health and recovery

A nursing assistant can often be a patient’s primary care provider, meaning they will spend a large amount of time together.

In addition to the functional tasks that a nursing assistant will need to complete, they also should have great communication and empathy skills to build a trusting relationship with their patient.

Providing constant companionship, a nursing assistant can become a dependable, empathetic, and caring individual for whoever is in their care.

Being able to know their patients well is not only important for observing their wellbeing and vitals, but also to have an impact on their mood and mental health.

For example, in a private home or care facility, elderly adults who may have been isolated will find great comfort in the companionship they gain from their nursing assistant.

In 2021, a study conducted in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry even found that older adults who received peer companionship had a greater improvement in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and feelings of being a burden on others.

Skills needed to be a successful nursing assistant

Aside from the duties of being a nursing assistant, there are a selection of skills you should possess in order to do the job well.

These include:

• Empathy
• Responsibility
• Dependability
• Patience
• Communication

How can you become a nursing assistant in the UAE?

If you wish to become a Nursing Assistant in the UAE, you should first check that you meet the requirements.

These include:

• A diploma or higher in Nursing from a recognized institution
• 2 years working experience.

From there, you should ensure you are eligible to be granted your DHA License (Dubai only) or similar from whichever emirate you wish to work in.

If you are already in the UAE, you can complete your DHA License exam, and begin applying for jobs in the area.

Or, if going through a healthcare recruitment agency, you can apply and be guided by their instructions.

How much is a nurse assistant salary in the UAE?

For a nurse assistant, salaries can range in the UAE depending on the area, medical facility or organization and specific role.

However, nurse assistants can expect to earn anywhere from around AED3,000 per month to around AED6,000.

The next steps

The role of a nursing assistant is extremely important in any healthcare field, with each having a huge impact on the lives of their patients.

Administering a number of both medical and care related tasks, there are many duties and responsibilities which you will need to take on. However, the job is known to be a rewarding and compassionate role, which can see you have a great career in the UAE.

If you are interested in becoming a nursing assistant in Dubai, you can apply through the Acoup healthcare recruitment website, which will be able to place you in a nursing assistant role in the UAE.

APPLY NOW on the acoup.com recruitment drive.

FAQs

Do nursing assistants have a role in the nursing process?

Yes. Nursing Assistants are able to conduct a huge proportion of nursing tasks, from taking vitals to assisting with personal care, and even dressing wounds.

However, there are some tasks involving injections and open wound care that they cannot complete, and in most cases will need to report to a senior registered nurse or similar.

What is the difference between a nursing assistant and a caregiver?

A Nursing Assistant will have a diploma in Nursing or higher from a recognized institution, as well as at least two years of professional experience.

A caregiver does not require this level of qualification and is only required to have a course in Basic Life Support (BLS).

What are the three main tasks that nursing assistants are not allowed to perform?

• Injections
• Wound Care (open)
• Tube Feeding

What makes a good nursing assistant?

A good nursing assistant should not only have professional healthcare experience, but should also be a kind, caring and compassionate individual.

Able to observe and build quality relationships with their patients, their primary role is to make sure their patients are always comfortable and cared for

Who does a nursing assistant work with?

A Nursing Assistant will work with different people and roles depending on what organization they were hired in.

For example, if hired into a hospital or clinical setting, they will likely be working with registered nurses and doctors.

However, if hired into a private home to provide care for one individual, they will be working alongside other caregivers and the family themselves.