Nursing Assistant Jobs in South Dakota
Nursing assistant jobs in South Dakota are in steady demand, concentrated in long-term care facilities, critical access hospitals, and assisted living communities that serve the state's aging rural population. Most hiring activity centers on Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Aberdeen, where established employers like Sanford Health, Monument Health, and Avera Health anchor a large share of openings. The most consistent demand is for nursing assistants with experience in memory care, rehabilitation support, and rural critical access settings. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Location:
Avera MaryhouseWorker Type:
RegularWork Shift:
Primarily days with night, weekend and holiday on-call involvement (United States of America)Position Highlights
This position may be eligible for a $20,000 sign-on bonus!
You Belong at Avera
Be part of a multidisciplinary team built with compassion and the goal of Moving Health Forward for you and our patients. Work where you matter.
A Brief Overview
Accountable for planning, organizing, developing, coordinating and evaluating the Quality Assurance Performance Improvement program (QAPI), and the Infection Control program of the facility in accordance with applicable Federal, State and system guidelines. Oversee safety, security and occupational health issues.
What you will do
- Assists other departments in the identification and development of quality improvement projects, data collection, reporting, action plans and evaluation of the projects.
- Completes necessary forms /audits for QAPI, infection control and Safety activities and reports to Administrator and Medical Director.
- Ensures that the facility is in compliance with current CDC, OSHA, and local regulations concerning Quality, infection control/universal precautions and safety.
- Monitors infection control practices and procedures to ensure that all personnel are implementing the highest standards in operating procedures for tasks involving exposure to blood and body fluids and the proper disposal and removal of infective and contaminated materials from the facility.
- Assists DON with Performance Evaluations, Counseling and communication with and Supervision of Nursing and CNA staff.
- Leads Facilities Pain Management, QAPI, Safety, Staff Meetings and other committees as identified.
- Completes DOH reports per Regulations.
- Clinically astute to physiological changes impacting the resident condition and in acting on observations regarding resident conditions.
- Knowledgeable of and advocates for the full development and utilization of the Electronic Medical Record.
- Supports, promotes, and protects Resident Rights.
Essential Qualifications
The individual must be able to work the hours specified. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily including having visual acuity adequate to perform position duties and the ability to communicate effectively with others, hear, understand and distinguish speech and other sounds. These requirements and those listed above are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions, as long as the accommodations do not cause undue hardship to the employer.
Required Education, License/Certification, or Work Experience:
- Registered Nurse (RN) - Board of Nursing An active license in the state of practice. Upon Hire
Preferred Education, License/Certification, or Work Experience:
- Bachelor's
- Geriatric, medical or surgical nursing.
Expectations and Standards
- Commitment to the daily application of Avera’s mission, vision, core values, and social principles to serve patients, their families, and our community.
- Promote Avera’s values of compassion, hospitality, and stewardship.
- Uphold Avera’s standards of Communication, Attitude, Responsiveness, and Engagement (CARE) with enthusiasm and sincerity.
- Maintain confidentiality.
- Work effectively in a team environment, coordinating work flow with other team members and ensuring a productive and efficient environment.
- Comply with safety principles, laws, regulations, and standards associated with, but not limited to, CMS, The Joint Commission, DHHS, and OSHA if applicable.
Benefits You Need & Then Some
Avera is proud to offer a wide range of benefits to qualifying part-time and full-time employees. We support you with opportunities to help live balanced, healthy lives. Benefits are designed to meet needs of today and into the future.
PTO available day 1 for eligible hires.
Up to 5% employer matching contribution for retirement
Career development guided by hands-on training and mentorship
Avera is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, Veteran Status, or other categories protected by law. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation for help with your online application, please call 1-605-504-4444 or send an email to talent@avera.org.
See All 31 Nursing Assistant Jobs in South Dakota
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Find Nursing Assistant JobsNursing Assistant Jobs by City in South Dakota
Where South Dakota roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Nursing Assistant Job Market in South Dakota
A snapshot from current South Dakota openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring


What South Dakota Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in nursing assistant jobs across South Dakota.
- Active listing on the South Dakota Nurse Aide Registry or eligible for reciprocity
- Completion of a state-approved nursing assistant training and competency evaluation program
- Current CPR and basic life support certification from an accredited provider
- Ability to perform direct patient care including transfers, vital signs, and personal hygiene
- Strong communication skills for working within interdisciplinary care teams
- Willingness to work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends, and holidays
Nursing Assistant Jobs in South Dakota: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a nursing assistant in South Dakota?
To work as a nursing assistant in South Dakota, you must complete a state-approved training program and pass the South Dakota Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation, after which you are listed on the South Dakota Nurse Aide Registry maintained by the South Dakota Department of Health. Training programs are offered through community colleges, technical institutes such as Lake Area Technical College and Southeast Technical College, and some long-term care facilities. Candidates already certified in another state may apply for reciprocal listing on the registry without retesting.
Which companies hire nursing assistants in South Dakota?
South Dakota nursing assistant roles are posted by Good Samaritan, St Benedict Health Center, and Avera Health and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Sanford Health, Avera Health, and Monument Health are among the largest and most consistent employers of nursing assistants in South Dakota, operating acute care hospitals, long-term care centers, and home health services across the state.
Which South Dakota cities have the most nursing assistant jobs?
Parkston, Pierre, and Redfield consistently lead in nursing assistant openings across South Dakota. Sioux Falls generates the highest volume because it is home to the largest health systems in the state, including Sanford and Avera, while Rapid City benefits from Monument Health's regional hospital network, and Aberdeen draws openings from Avera St. Luke's and several rural long-term care facilities serving the northeastern part of the state.
Are there remote nursing assistant jobs in South Dakota?
Yes, but they're rare. About 0% of nursing assistant openings tied to South Dakota are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting that the core duties of a nursing assistant require direct, hands-on patient contact. The small share of remote-adjacent roles typically involves care coordination, scheduling support, or patient education tasks at larger health systems rather than direct bedside care.
How can I get hired as a nursing assistant in South Dakota with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is to enroll in a free or low-cost nurse aide training program offered directly by a long-term care facility, since many South Dakota skilled nursing facilities sponsor training in exchange for a short employment commitment. Avera Health and Sanford Health both run new hire orientation and on-the-job training tracks for candidates without clinical backgrounds. Applying first as a patient care technician, hospital unit aide, or home health aide gives you documented patient contact that most South Dakota hiring managers count toward experience. Getting listed on the South Dakota Nurse Aide Registry before applying gives your application a clear edge.
Where can I find and apply to nursing assistant jobs in South Dakota?
You can find and apply to nursing assistant jobs in South Dakota on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings tied to the South Dakota market. Search the roles available, find the ones that fit your credentials and preferred location, and apply directly through the listing. No signup is required to search or apply.
See All 31 Nursing Assistant Jobs in South Dakota
Find roles in South Dakota that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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