POSITION SUMMARY
The Nurse Aide Instructor is responsible for planning, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating the facility's Nurse Aide Training Program in accordance with Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) requirements, applicable federal and state regulations, and facility policies. This position provides classroom instruction, laboratory demonstrations, supervised clinical training, and competency evaluations to prepare students to deliver safe, compassionate, and resident-centered care in a long-term care setting. The Nurse Aide Instructor is responsible for maintaining an effective learning environment, ensuring program compliance, monitoring student progress, and supporting the development of qualified nursing assistants to meet the facility's staffing and resident care needs.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Nurse Aide Training Program Administration
- Coordinate and implement the facility's approved Nurse Aide Training Program.
- Ensure the program operates in compliance with Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements and applicable federal and state regulations.
- Follow the PDE-approved curriculum, training hours, and clinical requirements.
- Develop and maintain training schedules for classroom, laboratory, and clinical instruction.
- Maintain accurate student attendance, training hours, competency records, and other required program documentation.
- Ensure all required documentation is completed and maintained for regulatory review.
- Coordinate with facility leadership regarding class schedules, student enrollment, and program needs.
- Assist with preparing for PDE inspections, program reviews, and approval or renewal processes.
- Classroom and Laboratory Instruction
- Provide classroom instruction utilizing approved curriculum materials and teaching methods.
- Educate students on resident rights, infection prevention, safety, communication, personal care, restorative care, and other required nurse aide competencies.
- Demonstrate proper nursing assistant skills and procedures.
- Supervise students during laboratory practice and return demonstrations.
- Evaluate student understanding through written examinations, skills demonstrations, and classroom participation.
- Provide additional instruction and remediation when students require assistance.
- Maintain a professional, organized, and supportive learning environment.
- Clinical Training and Supervision
- Coordinate and supervise student clinical experiences in accordance with program requirements.
- Ensure students demonstrate required competencies before performing resident care activities.
- Provide direct supervision of students during clinical training.
- Monitor student interactions with residents to ensure safe, respectful, and appropriate care.
- Evaluate clinical performance, professionalism, communication, and resident care skills.
- Address performance concerns promptly and provide corrective instruction.
- Ensure student clinical experiences meet required training objectives and documentation standards.
- Student Evaluation and Development
- Monitor individual student progress throughout the training program.
- Conduct required written and practical competency evaluations.
- Maintain accurate records of student performance, attendance, and completion.
- Identify students who require additional instruction or support.
- Communicate concerns regarding attendance, conduct, or performance to appropriate facility leadership.
- Assist students with preparation for the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Competency Examination.
- Coordinate program completion documentation and required reporting.
- Encourage professionalism, accountability, teamwork, and compassionate resident care.
- Regulatory Compliance and Quality Assurance
- Maintain knowledge of applicable PDE, Pennsylvania Department of Health, and federal nurse aide training requirements.
- Ensure instruction and clinical experiences follow the approved program.
- Maintain confidentiality of student, employee, and resident information.
- Ensure compliance with infection prevention practices, resident rights, HIPAA, and facility policies.
- Participate in program reviews and quality improvement initiatives.
- Report concerns involving resident safety, abuse, neglect, or regulatory noncompliance immediately.
- Recommend improvements to the training program based on student performance and facility needs.
- Staff Development and Facility Support
- Collaborate with the Director of Nursing, Staff Development, Human Resources, and other department leaders.
- Assist with the orientation and transition of newly trained nurse aides into facility employment.
- Support ongoing nurse aide education and competency development as assigned.
- Provide additional education or skills reinforcement for existing nursing assistants when requested.
- Promote employee retention through positive instruction, mentorship, and professional development.
- Assist with identifying training opportunities that support quality resident care.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Licensure
- Current, active Pennsylvania Registered Nurse (RN) license preferred.
- Must meet all applicable Pennsylvania Department of Education nurse aide instructor qualifications and approval requirements.
- Must meet applicable nursing experience, long-term care experience, and instructional preparation requirements.
- Must maintain all required professional licenses, credentials, and approvals throughout employment.
Experience
- Experience providing nursing care in a long-term care or skilled nursing facility.
- Previous teaching, staff development, clinical instruction, or employee training experience preferred.
- Knowledge of nursing assistant duties, resident care standards, and long-term care regulations.
- Experience with clinical competency evaluations and educational documentation preferred.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Strong understanding of nursing assistant responsibilities and resident care practices.
- Ability to effectively teach students with varying educational backgrounds and learning abilities.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to demonstrate and evaluate clinical nursing assistant skills.
- Strong organizational, documentation, and time management skills.
- Ability to provide constructive feedback and address performance concerns professionally.
- Knowledge of infection control, resident rights, safety procedures, and long-term care standards.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
- Proficiency with basic computer applications and electronic documentation.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating with facility leadership and nursing staff.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during classroom, laboratory, and clinical instruction.
- Ability to demonstrate resident transfers, repositioning, and other nursing assistant skills.
- Ability to bend, reach, lift, and assist with resident care activities in accordance with facility safety policies.
- Ability to respond appropriately to resident and student safety concerns.
- Ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed primarily within a skilled nursing facility, including classrooms, clinical training areas, and resident care units. The position requires frequent interaction with students, residents, nursing staff, and facility leadership. The instructor may be required to adjust work hours to accommodate scheduled classes, clinical rotations, and program needs.
PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS
Successful performance in this position includes:
- Maintaining compliance with all approved training program requirements.
- Providing high-quality classroom and clinical instruction.
- Maintaining accurate, complete, and timely program records.
- Supporting successful student completion and competency examination preparation.
- Promoting safe resident care practices and professional conduct.
- Communicating effectively with nursing leadership regarding student progress and program needs.
- Supporting the facility's recruitment, training, and retention of qualified nursing assistants.