Reading Skills for Healthcare Workers

Catherine works as a nurse assistant in a long-term care facility and helps residents of different ages with medical needs and daily activities. She is a member of a health care team.

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Though the members of a health care team may vary, all of the members of the health care team work to care for the resident. The resident is the focus of the team. Members of the team may include the resident’s family members, doctor or nurse practitioner, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nurse assistants. Other members of a resident’s health care team might include a physical therapist, occupational therapist, dietician, social worker, psychologist, and religious leader. All of these health care professionals work together to provide the best possible care for the resident, depending on each resident’s physical, social, and emotional needs.

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As a nurse assistant, Catherine is part of the nursing team within the health care team. The head of the nursing team at Catherine’s workplace is a registered nurse (RN). At some facilities, the head nurse might be a nurse practitioner (NP) or a licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN). Catherine completes the tasks assigned to her and reports back to the head nurse when she is finished.

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Catherine completes only the tasks assigned to her within her scope of practice, which defines the tasks that she is legally permitted to do. She communicates daily with the other members of each resident’s health care team. She enjoys working as part of a health care team to take care of the residents.