Pediatric Nurse Assistant Job Description [Updated for 2025]

In the era of advanced medical technology, the role of pediatric nurse assistants is more crucial than ever.
Healthcare progresses with each passing day, and the need for compassionate, adept individuals who can contribute to the care and wellbeing of our youngest patients grows stronger.
But let’s delve deeper: What’s truly expected from a pediatric nurse assistant?
Whether you are:
- A job seeker looking to understand the heart of this role,
- A hiring manager outlining the perfect candidate,
- Or simply curious about the intricacies of pediatric nursing,
You’re in the right place.
Today, we unveil a customizable pediatric nurse assistant job description template, designed for effortless posting on job boards or career sites.
Let’s dive right into it.
Pediatric Nurse Assistant Duties and Responsibilities
Pediatric Nurse Assistants work closely with registered nurses and doctors to provide care for children, from infancy through adolescence.
They help assess and monitor patients, carry out medical treatments, and provide emotional support to patients and their families.
Their duties and responsibilities include:
- Assisting in the examination, treatment, and care of pediatric patients
- Observing and recording patients’ conditions, symptoms, and response to treatment
- Helping in basic medical procedures like blood draw, vaccination, wound dressing etc.
- Collecting samples for lab testing
- Assisting children with activities of daily living such as feeding, bathing, and changing diapers
- Communicating and explaining medical and health information to children and their parents or guardians
- Maintaining a clean and safe environment in accordance with infection control standards
- Assisting with the admission, transfer, and discharge of pediatric patients
- Preparation and administration of medications under the supervision of a registered nurse
- Providing emotional support to patients and their families, helping them understand and cope with the child’s illness or treatment
Pediatric Nurse Assistant Job Description Template
Job Brief
We are seeking a compassionate and diligent Pediatric Nurse Assistant to provide support to our team of pediatric healthcare professionals.
The Pediatric Nurse Assistant will be responsible for assisting with patient care, maintaining accurate health records, and ensuring a clean and safe environment for patients.
The ideal candidate should have a nurturing and patient-focused demeanor, a high level of sensitivity towards children’s needs, and be able to communicate effectively with the patients and their families.
Responsibilities
- Assist with routine nursing care activities including bathing, feeding and changing patients
- Collect and record patient vital signs and monitor health condition
- Assist pediatric nurses and doctors during medical procedures
- Provide emotional support and comfort to patients and their families
- Maintain clean and safe environment for patients and staff
- Help educate patients and families on health conditions and treatments
- Prepare patients for exams or treatments
- Coordinate with healthcare team to ensure optimal patient care
Qualifications
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certificate required
- Previous experience working in a pediatric setting preferred
- Knowledge of basic pediatric medical procedures
- Excellent communication skills with a focus on pediatric patients and their families
- High level of compassion, patience, and emotional intelligence
- Ability to handle stressful situations with calmness and professionalism
- Strong physical stamina and lifting skills
- Current CPR and first aid certification
Benefits
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement plan
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Continuing education opportunities
- Employee wellness program
Additional Information
- Job Title: Pediatric Nurse Assistant
- Work Environment: Hospital or clinical environment. This role may require shift work, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Reporting Structure: Reports to the Pediatric Nurse or Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.
- Salary: Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.
- Pay Range: $28,500 minimum to $38,500 maximum
- Location: [City, State] (specify the location or indicate if remote)
- Employment Type: Full-time
- Equal Opportunity Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
- Application Instructions: Please submit your resume, a cover letter outlining your qualifications and experience, and copies of relevant certifications to [email address or application portal].
What Does a Pediatric Nurse Assistant Do?
Pediatric Nurse Assistants, also known as pediatric nursing aides, primarily work in hospitals, clinics, or medical offices that specialize in pediatric healthcare.
They can also work in home healthcare settings.
They assist Pediatric Nurses and Pediatricians in providing care to children from infancy through adolescence.
This involves monitoring vital signs, collecting samples for lab tests, and helping doctors with physical examinations.
They also have the responsibility of providing basic care to children such as changing diapers, bathing, and feeding.
They also assist in ensuring the comfort of the child during their stay in the hospital, clinic, or during a home visit.
Pediatric Nurse Assistants are often tasked with updating medical records with the patient’s progress and communicating this information to the medical team.
Apart from medical duties, they also play a crucial role in comforting and entertaining the child patients, providing emotional support and helping to ease their fears.
They may need to educate and guide the parents or family members about the child’s condition, home care needs, medication administration, and any special dietary requirements.
Pediatric Nurse Assistant Qualifications and Skills
A Pediatric Nurse Assistant should have the skills and qualifications that are suited for the role, such as:
- Medical knowledge and technical skills to assist with medical procedures, administer medications, and monitor vital signs
- Interpersonal skills to connect with children, build a rapport, and comfort them during medical procedures or hospital stays
- Strong communication skills to effectively interact with children of varying ages, their parents, and medical staff
- Patience and empathy to deal with children who may be scared or uncooperative
- Physical stamina to stand for long hours, move patients, and perform physical tasks
- Attention to detail to accurately document patients’ symptoms, reactions, and progress
- Problem-solving skills to quickly respond to changes in a patient’s condition or unexpected situations
- Basic computer skills for updating electronic health records and using medical software
Pediatric Nurse Assistant Experience Requirements
Pediatric Nurse Assistants usually require a foundational education in nursing.
This often includes a high school diploma followed by a certification program, or an associate degree in nursing.
During their studies, they are required to do a substantial amount of clinical work, which provides them with hands-on experience in pediatric care.
This typically includes experience in monitoring vital signs, administering medication, maintaining patient records, and providing personal care to pediatric patients.
Some candidates may gain further experience by working in settings such as pediatric clinics, hospitals, or doctors’ offices.
These roles allow them to accumulate more specialized experience in pediatric care.
Additionally, candidates may pursue a certification in Pediatric Nursing, which requires additional clinical experience specifically in a pediatric setting.
Candidates with over 2 years of experience are generally considered experienced pediatric nurse assistants.
Those with 3 to 5 years of experience may be ready for higher responsibilities, such as training new nursing assistants, or coordinating care with other healthcare professionals.
Furthermore, those with more than 5 years of experience and additional certifications may be well-prepared for leadership roles within pediatric nursing, or specialized roles such as pediatric oncology or pediatric critical care.
Pediatric Nurse Assistant Education and Training Requirements
Pediatric Nurse Assistants typically require a high school diploma or equivalent as a basic educational requirement.
The next step is to complete a state-approved nursing assistant training program, which usually lasts 4-12 weeks and includes classroom education as well as supervised clinical practice.
After completing the training program, they must pass a state competency exam to earn certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).
Pediatric Nurse Assistants specifically should also have Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification and some may opt for Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) certification, although it is not a requirement.
These certifications require additional coursework and examinations, but they demonstrate the assistant’s dedication to the field and provide them with more specialized knowledge.
To maintain certification, ongoing education is required, the specifics of which can vary by state.
Some Pediatric Nurse Assistants may also decide to further their education and training to become Registered Nurses (RN) or Pediatric Nurses.
Experience or training in working with children and a solid understanding of child growth and development are also important for this role.
Pediatric Nurse Assistant Salary Expectations
A Pediatric Nurse Assistant earns an average salary of $32,480 (USD) per year.
However, this can greatly vary depending on years of experience, certifications, the state they are working in, and the complexity of the work they are required to perform.
Pediatric Nurse Assistant Job Description FAQs
What qualifications does a Pediatric Nurse Assistant need?
A Pediatric Nurse Assistant must have a high school diploma or equivalent and should have completed a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program.
Specific to pediatrics, they would benefit from additional training or certification in child growth and development, and pediatric first aid.
They should also pass a background check and have a valid certification in CPR.
What are the responsibilities of a Pediatric Nurse Assistant?
Pediatric Nurse Assistants help in providing care for infants, children, and adolescents under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or Doctor.
They assist in monitoring vital signs, feeding, bathing, and dressing patients.
They may also help in administering medication, collecting samples for lab tests, and providing emotional support to the patients and their families.
What skills are important for a Pediatric Nurse Assistant?
Pediatric Nurse Assistants should have excellent communication skills to interact effectively with children and their families.
Patience, empathy, and sensitivity are also crucial as they may encounter distressed or uncooperative patients.
They should also have physical stamina as the job often requires standing for long hours, lifting, and moving patients.
What should you look for in a Pediatric Nurse Assistant resume?
A Pediatric Nurse Assistant resume should include their CNA certification, any additional training or certification in pediatric care, and experience working with children.
It’s also beneficial to look for examples of compassion, patience, and excellent communication skills in their work history.
Any experience or skills in child psychology can be a valuable addition.
What qualities make a good Pediatric Nurse Assistant?
A good Pediatric Nurse Assistant should be compassionate, as they are dealing with children who may be scared or in pain.
They should also have excellent interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with both the child and their parents.
Patience is also crucial as children may not always cooperate with procedures.
A good Pediatric Nurse Assistant should also be able to handle stressful situations calmly and professionally.
Conclusion
So there you have it.
Today, we illuminated the multifaceted role of a pediatric nurse assistant.
And guess what?
It’s not just about taking temperatures.
It’s about fostering the health of our youngest patients, one caring moment at a time.
With our go-to pediatric nurse assistant job description template and real-world examples, you’re prepared to embark on a rewarding career.
But why stop there?
Dig deeper with our job description generator. It’s your ultimate tool for crafting precise job listings or perfecting your resume for your dream job.
Remember:
Every caring moment contributes to the bigger picture of a child’s health.
Let’s build a healthier future. Together.
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