Essentia Health – Organization Overview
Essentia Health is a comprehensive, integrated healthcare system that provides care to communities across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota.
Headquartered in Duluth, Minnesota, the organization is powered by a dedicated team of more than 15,000 professionals, including over 2,200 physicians and advanced practice providers. United by a shared mission — “to make a healthy difference in people’s lives” — Essentia Health is committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality care.
Position Summary
As a Nursing Assistant at Essentia Health, you will play a vital role in delivering high-quality, compassionate care directly to patients. Under the supervision and direction of a Registered Nurse (RN), Nurse Manager, Assistant Head Nurse, or Department Director—and in some cases, with guidance from a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)—you will assist in meeting the healthcare needs of patients in a way that ensures their safety, dignity, and comfort.
This role contributes significantly to supporting the mission and objectives of Essentia Health by helping to create a healing and supportive environment for patients.
Key Responsibilities
Responsibilities may vary depending on the specific unit but will generally include the following:
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Personal Care & Hygiene: Assisting patients with activities of daily living, including bathing, grooming, toileting, and oral care.
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Nutritional Support: Helping patients with meals, feeding, and monitoring dietary intake.
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Comfort Measures: Providing emotional support and physical comfort to patients.
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Mobility & Transfers: Safely transferring, repositioning, and ambulating patients to prevent injury and support mobility goals.
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Vital Signs & Documentation: Measuring and recording vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure) accurately, and documenting patient information in medical records.
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Observation & Reporting: Recognizing and promptly reporting any changes in a patient’s condition or behavior to the supervising RN.
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Environment Maintenance: Ensuring that the patient care environment remains clean, organized, and safe to promote the healing process and meet regulatory standards.
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Regulatory Compliance: Performing duties in accordance with the standards of the Joint Commission and applicable federal, state, and local health regulations.
Specialty Areas Covered
This position supports a variety of critical care units, including:
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Neurotrauma
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Burn Unit
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Medical Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
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Intermediate Care (IMC)
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements (must meet at least one of the following):
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Minimum of 6 months of nursing assistant experience
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Completion of one semester of clinical rotations in an accredited nursing program
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Enrollment in the Essentia Health Nursing Assistant Foundation Course within 30 days of hire
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Documented completion of a recognized nurse aide training program
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Current registration on the appropriate state nursing assistant registry
Certification Requirements:
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Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, or ability to obtain within 1 month of hire
Employee Benefits at Essentia Health
Essentia Health is dedicated to supporting the well-being and career growth of its team members. Eligible employees may access a wide range of benefits, including:
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Health & Insurance Benefits:
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Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
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Life insurance and short/long-term disability coverage
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Optional supplemental health benefits
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Retirement & Financial Security:
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401(k) retirement savings plan with employer contributions
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Career Growth & Education:
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Opportunities for professional development, tuition reimbursement, and access to continuing education
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Work-Life Balance:
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Flexible scheduling, paid holidays, personal leave, and paid time off
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Wellness Programs:
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Health and wellness initiatives including gym memberships, counseling services, and wellness activities
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Note: Eligibility for benefits varies depending on employment status. For detailed benefits information, please refer to the employee benefit summary or contact the HR Service Center at (218) 576-0000.
Join Our Team
This is your opportunity to become part of a mission-driven healthcare organization that invests in both its patients and its people. Apply today to support Essentia Health’s commitment to excellence in patient care and be a part of a team that truly makes a difference.