Nursing Assistant Trainee, Long Term Care (LTC) at Sanford Health - Howard, SD

About Sanford Health

Sanford Health stands as one of the largest and most rapidly expanding not-for-profit health systems in the United States. With a strong commitment to health and healing, our nearly 50,000 team members, known as the Sanford Family, contribute to a broad network of care facilities. We take pride in fostering an environment that encourages development and advancement opportunities for all our members.

Role Overview: Nursing Assistant Trainee in Long Term Care

As a Nursing Assistant Trainee in Long Term Care (LTC) at Sanford Health in Howard, SD, you will embark on a structured learning journey. This role is specifically designed to build your confidence and competence in providing personal care to clients. Under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse and in partnership with a preceptor, you will provide holistic, client-centered care. This approach focuses on promoting independence and upholding client rights in a safe, caring, and efficient environment. It is essential to understand that, as a trainee, you will operate within the scope of a non-certified nursing assistant.

A Day in the Life of a Nursing Assistant Trainee

Your day as a Nursing Assistant Trainee will be dynamic and focused on learning and applying new skills. Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect:

• Training and Skill Development: Actively participate in a formal nursing assistant program that combines online learning with hands-on skills training. Ensure you meet all training requirements within the designated timeframe.
• Direct Client Care: Assist clients with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, toileting, and grooming, always under the supervision of a licensed nurse.
• Vital Signs Monitoring: Learn to accurately measure and record vital signs, contributing to the overall monitoring of client health.
• Mobility Assistance: Help clients with transferring, repositioning, and walking, using appropriate transfer techniques and equipment to ensure their safety.
• Nutritional Support: Assist with meals and snacks, providing water and nutritional supplements as needed.
• Documentation: Accurately document the care provided, ensuring all records are up-to-date and compliant with facility standards.
• Communication: Report any changes in client condition or care-related concerns to the licensed nurse promptly.
• Infection Control: Adhere to strict infection prevention and control standards to maintain a safe environment for clients and staff.
• Team Collaboration: Work closely with the nursing team to ensure the holistic needs of clients are met, contributing to a positive and supportive care environment.
• Housekeeping and Laundry: Assist with basic housekeeping and laundry duties to maintain a clean and comfortable living space for clients.

Why Howard, SD?

Howard, South Dakota, offers a close-knit community environment with a high quality of life. Working in Howard provides a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in a smaller community, where your contributions are highly valued. The lower cost of living, combined with a supportive work environment at Sanford Health, makes Howard an ideal place to grow both personally and professionally. Enjoy the peace and tranquility of rural living while advancing your career in healthcare.

Career Path for Nursing Assistants at Sanford Health

Sanford Health is dedicated to fostering career growth and provides a clear career path for Nursing Assistants. Starting as a Nursing Assistant Trainee, you can advance to a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) role upon successful completion of the training program and state certification exams. From there, opportunities may include:

• Advanced CNA Roles: Specializing in areas such as restorative care or dementia care.
• Leadership Positions: Taking on roles such as team lead or charge CNA.
• Educational Opportunities: Pursuing further education in nursing to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN).
• Specialized Training: Participating in specialized training programs to enhance skills and knowledge in specific areas of care.

Sanford Health supports your career progression with tuition reimbursement, mentorship programs, and continuous learning opportunities.

Salary and Benefits

While the exact salary for a Nursing Assistant Trainee can vary, Sanford Health offers competitive compensation packages. The estimated salary range for this role in Howard, SD, is $30,000 to $40,000 annually. In addition to competitive pay, Sanford Health provides a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Paid Time Off: Generous PTO for vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Retirement Savings: Retirement savings plans with employer matching contributions.
• Life and Disability Insurance: Life insurance and disability coverage to protect your financial well-being.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: FSAs for healthcare and dependent care expenses.
• Employee Assistance Programs: EAPs for confidential counseling and support services.
• Wellness Programs: Resources to promote employee health and well-being.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Educational assistance for career development.
• Employee Discounts: Discounts on Sanford Health services and products.

Sanford Health Culture

At Sanford Health, we pride ourselves on creating a supportive and inclusive culture where every member of our team is valued. We are committed to:

• Teamwork: Fostering a collaborative environment where team members work together to provide the best possible care.
• Respect: Treating all clients and colleagues with dignity and respect.
• Innovation: Encouraging innovative thinking and continuous improvement in our practices.
• Integrity: Upholding the highest ethical standards in all that we do.
• Compassion: Providing compassionate care that addresses the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of our clients.

We believe that our employees are our greatest asset, and we are dedicated to supporting their professional and personal growth.

How to Apply

If you are passionate about providing compassionate care and are looking to start your career in healthcare, we encourage you to apply for the Nursing Assistant Trainee position at Sanford Health in Howard, SD. To apply, please follow these steps:

1. Visit the Sanford Health careers website.
2. Search for the Nursing Assistant Trainee position in Howard, SD.
3. Click on the job title to view the full job description and requirements.
4. Click the “Apply Now” button and follow the instructions to submit your application.
5. Ensure all required documents, such as your resume and any relevant certifications, are included.

We look forward to receiving your application and potentially welcoming you to the Sanford Family!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What are the minimum age requirements for this position?
2. The minimum age requirement for the Nursing Assistant Trainee position is 16 years old.
3. Is a high school diploma or GED required?
4. A high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED) is preferred, but not required.
5. Is prior experience necessary for this role?
6. Prior clinical or nursing assistant experience in long-term care is preferred but not mandatory.
7. What does the training program involve?
8. The training program is delivered in a hybrid format, which includes an online curriculum and hands-on skills development. Trainees learn the skills and processes needed to provide care and assistance to clients.
9. Will I get certified after completing the training program?
10. At the completion of the training program, participants will be prepared to take state knowledge and skills exams to obtain the Certified Nursing Aide (CNA) or other state certification designation.
11. What type of tasks will I be performing as a Nursing Assistant Trainee?
12. As a trainee, you will assist with basic health care needs and activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, toileting, grooming, dressing, undressing, obtaining vital signs, providing psychosocial support, and delivering other personal care as assigned.
13. How is client safety ensured during training?
14. Trainees are not allowed to perform any service(s) unless they have been trained and found to be proficient by the instructor. They must also follow location-specific standards for infection prevention and control, personal protective equipment use, safety, and privacy.
15. What happens if I notice a change in a client's condition?
16. You are required to communicate any changes in client condition and care-related concerns to a licensed nurse promptly.
17. What opportunities for advancement are available after completing the training?
18. After becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), you can pursue advanced CNA roles, leadership positions, or further education in nursing to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN).
19. What benefits are offered to employees at Sanford Health?
20. Sanford Health offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, paid time off, retirement savings plans, life insurance, disability coverage, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance programs, wellness programs, tuition reimbursement, and employee discounts.