About North Country Healthcare (NCH)
North Country Healthcare is a non-profit affiliation of four medical facilities, Androscoggin Valley Hospital, North Country Home Health & Hospice Agency, Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital, and Weeks Medical Center, located in the White Mountains Region of New Hampshire.
NCH includes numerous physicians and medical providers at multiple locations.
This leading comprehensive healthcare network which employs hundreds of highly trained individuals delivers integrated patient care through three community hospitals, specialty clinics, and home health and hospice services.
NCH remains committed to the health and well-being of the communities we serve.
As a valued team member this role emphasizes advancing High-Reliability Organization (HRO) principles, embedding a culture of safety, accountability, and consistent high performance.
Position Summary
Adhering to System Values, Service Excellence, and Standards of Behavior, the Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) Apprentice is an employee actively enrolled in an approved nursing assistant training program and participates in classroom instruction, laboratory training, and supervised clinical experiences while working toward New Hampshire LNA certification. Under the direct supervision and direction of a Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), clinical instructor, or other designated licensed healthcare professional, the LNA Apprentice assists with basic patient care activities appropriate to their level of education, training, demonstrated competency, and program requirements. The LNA Apprentice promotes patient dignity, privacy, safety, and comfort while developing the knowledge, skills, and behaviors necessary to transition into the Licensed Nursing Assistant role upon successful completion of the training program and attainment of required certification.
Essential Qualifications
Education
High School Diploma or GED is Required
Enrollment in and active participation in an approved Nursing Assistant Training Program.
Must meet all eligibility requirements established by the approved training program.
Certification or Licensure
Additional healthcare-related training certifications appropriate to student status.
All employees and contracted staff will have either successful completion of an American Heart Association
accredited course in Basic Life Support (BLS), or ACLS and PALS combined. (for clinical staff), Heartsaver CPR AED (for nonclinical staff), and renewal on a regular basis. *Refer to the NCH Life Support Certification Policy for position specific requirements.
Skills
- Active Listening
- Attention to Detail
- Basic Patient Care
- Communication Skills
- Compassionate Care
- Customer Service
- Dependability
- Infection Prevention Awareness
- Interpersonal Communication
- Observation and Reporting
- Organization
- Professionalism
- Respect for Privacy and Confidentiality
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Time Management
Work Experience
- No prior healthcare experience required.
- Ability to participate successfully in patient care activities as part of an approved nursing assistant training program.
Essential Functions
Participates in required classroom instruction, laboratory experiences, clinical training activities, orientation programs, and competency validation associated with the approved Nursing Assistant Training Program.
Performs only those patient care activities that have been taught, validated, authorized by the training program, and assigned under appropriate supervision.
Assists patients with personal hygiene, grooming, bathing, dressing, oral care, and other activities of daily living consistent with approved training and demonstrated competency.
Supports patient nutrition and hydration needs, including meal assistance, feeding support, and monitoring intake as directed by licensed staff.
Assists with elimination needs, toileting, continence care, and related patient support activities under appropriate supervision.
Obtains and reports vital signs, weights, intake and output, and other patient observations that are within the apprentice's approved level of training and competency.
Assists with ambulation, repositioning, transfers, range-of-motion activities, and mobility support according to established safety practices and training requirements.
Observes patient conditions during assigned care activities and promptly reports on changes, concerns, abnormal findings, or potential safety risks to the supervising RN, LPN, or clinical instructor.
Maintains patient dignity, confidentiality, privacy, and respect while delivering care and interacting with patients, families, visitors, and coworkers.
Assists in maintaining a safe, clean, organized, and comfortable patient environment, including room organization, supply replenishment, and equipment readiness.
Communicates assigned-care activities, observations, completion of tasks, and patient concerns to supervising licensed staff in a timely and professional manner.
Documents patient care activities and observations only as permitted by organizational policy, training program requirements, and under required supervision or review.
Responds appropriately during emergency situations by following the direction of licensed staff and performing only those tasks appropriate for the apprentice role and current training level.
Maintains positive working relationships with patients, families, clinical instructors, licensed staff, medical staff, support personnel, and other members of the healthcare team.
Demonstrates accountability, professionalism, appropriate appearance, effective time management, compliance with organizational policies, and commitment to ongoing learning while preparing to transition into the Licensed Nursing Assistant role.
Mental Requirements
- Ability to maintain sustained concentration and attention to detail for extended periods while performing hands-on patient care and operational tasks.
- Ability to assess, interpret, and respond appropriately to changing patient conditions, environmental factors, and safety concerns in a fast-paced healthcare environment.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills during routine and emergency situations.
- Ability to prioritize multiple tasks simultaneously while meeting productivity, quality, and patient care expectations.
- Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with patients, families, physicians, and interdisciplinary team members through verbal, written, and auditory methods.
- Ability to comprehend, retain, and apply complex instructions, policies, procedures, and technical information.
- Ability to perform work requires frequent mental alertness, situational awareness, and coordination while standing, walking, lifting, and using fine motor skills for prolonged periods.
- Ability to adapt to interruptions, changing workflows, varying patient volumes, and evolving clinical priorities with professionalism and composure.
- Ability to work safely and effectively in environments involving exposure to body fluids, chemicals, medical equipment, and other healthcare-related hazards while adhering to infection prevention and safety protocols.
- Ability to accurately distinguish colors, sounds, visual cues, and monitor readings necessary for safe patient care and equipment operation.
- Ability to maintain emotional stability, professionalism, and effective interpersonal interactions during stressful, sensitive, or physically demanding situations.
- Ability to collaborate effectively as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team while maintaining confidentiality and compliance with organizational standard.
Work Environment Considerations
Office setting, clinical environment, remote work expectations, travel requirements, on-call requirements, exposure risks).
North Country Healthcare is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees. North Country Healthcare and its affiliates do not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability or any other protected class. Employment decisions are made based on job related qualifications, skills, and business needs, and without unlawful discrimination in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
North Country Healthcare provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and to individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, as required by law. Applicants who require reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, participate in interviews, or undergo pre-employment testing should contact NCHRecruiting@northcountryhealth.org.
