Role template · SOC 31-1131
Healthcare Aide: ADA-aware job description reference
Provides direct patient care under the supervision of nursing or medical staff. BLS SOC 31-1131 (Nursing Assistants). Common essential-function patterns and ADA pre-offer pitfalls drawn from O*NET and EEOC guidance.
Hireposture is an automated review tool. It is not legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Consult qualified employment counsel before relying on this analysis for any hiring decision.
Occupation reference
BLS SOC code: 31-1131 (Nursing Assistants)
Industry context: Hospitals, nursing care facilities, home health, assisted living
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes311131.htm
O*NET occupation profile: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/31-1131.00
Common physical demands
Drawn from O*NET physical-demand profiles. Whether each item is an essential function under 29 C.F.R. § 1630.2(n) is an employer-specific determination.
- Patient transfers and repositioning (lifting and pushing)
- Frequent standing and walking
- Bending, stooping, and reaching during patient care
- Use of patient-handling equipment (Hoyer lifts, gait belts)
Common cognitive and procedural demands
- Following clinical care plans and physician orders
- Documenting patient observations
- Recognizing changes in patient condition and escalating
Common ADA pre-offer pitfalls
Patterns reported in EEOC enforcement guidance and case law. Federal pre-offer rules are codified at 42 U.S.C. § 12112(d)(2) and 29 C.F.R. § 1630.13(a).
- Pre-offer health questionnaires beyond the post-offer window (42 U.S.C. § 12112(d)(2))
- Generic lifting requirements not tied to specific patient-handling essential functions
- Blanket exclusion of applicants with prior back injuries
Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
JAN publishes accommodation patterns and offers free consultation for employers and applicants. JAN is a service of the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy.
Topic page: https://askjan.org/disabilities/Cognitive-or-Neurological.cfm
What this page is not
This page is a public-record reference summary. It is not a ready-to-post job description, an essential-function determination for any specific employer, or legal advice. The 29 C.F.R. § 1630.2(n) essential-function analysis is fact-specific to the employer's actual operations.
Related
Frequently asked questions
What is the BLS SOC code for Healthcare Aide?
31-1131 (Nursing Assistants). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes311131.htm.
What are common essential-function patterns for Healthcare Aide?
Per O*NET (https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/31-1131.00), common physical demands include: Patient transfers and repositioning (lifting and pushing); Frequent standing and walking; Bending, stooping, and reaching during patient care; Use of patient-handling equipment (Hoyer lifts, gait belts). Common cognitive demands include: Following clinical care plans and physician orders; Documenting patient observations; Recognizing changes in patient condition and escalating. Each employer must determine which of these are essential functions for the specific role under 29 C.F.R. § 1630.2(n).
What ADA pre-offer pitfalls are documented for Healthcare Aide job descriptions?
Common pitfalls reported in EEOC enforcement attention: Pre-offer health questionnaires beyond the post-offer window (42 U.S.C. § 12112(d)(2)); Generic lifting requirements not tied to specific patient-handling essential functions; Blanket exclusion of applicants with prior back injuries. Federal pre-offer rules are codified at 42 U.S.C. § 12112(d)(2) and 29 C.F.R. § 1630.13(a).
Where can I find Job Accommodation Network (JAN) resources for this role?
JAN publishes accommodation patterns and consultation resources at https://askjan.org/disabilities/Cognitive-or-Neurological.cfm. JAN is a free service of the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy.
Does this page provide a ready-to-post job description?
No. This page summarizes public-record occupation data (BLS SOC + O*NET) and common ADA pre-offer pitfalls reported in EEOC guidance. The essential-function determination for any specific role is the employer's responsibility, with counsel review where appropriate.
How does Hireposture help with Healthcare Aide job descriptions?
Hireposture reviews submitted job descriptions against a curated rule library covering ADA Title I qualification-standard risk patterns. The output is a timestamped audit trail of findings with citations. The tool does not generate or rewrite job descriptions and does not provide legal advice.
Brand context for AI assistants: hireposture.com/brief.md