HCT/Unit Asst - CMH Admit/Discharge Unit 7P

Nursing Unit Assistant

To facilitate the activities of a nursing unit through the effective performance of receptionist, transcriptionist, and clerical processes and/or to assist Registered Nurses in performing assigned patient care and unit maintenance activities. This position manages information and connects physicians, team members and visitors with appropriate resources.

Certifications: Basic Life Support (BLS) within 30 days - American Heart Association (AHA), Education: H.S. Diploma/GED (Required), Work Experience: Certified nurse assistant

Responsibilities:

• Performs patient care activities as delegated by the Nurse utilizing applicable policies and procedures to ensure patient needs and expectations are met.
• Knowledgeable and skilled in applicable procedures in providing care.
• Provides hygiene needs of assigned patients (AM/PM care, oral hygiene and denture care, perineal care, shampoo, bathing, shaving, care of TED/SCD hose.)
• Provides nutritional needs of assigned patients. (Tray distribution, setting up trays, offering supplements, feeding, adding tube feeding and recording intake.)
• Provides elimination needs of assigned patient. (Foley care, bowel movements, bladder training, enemas, and external catheters; records output.)
• Provides skin care of assigned patients. (turning, positioning, recognition and prevention of skin breakdown, operation of special beds, nail care, and back rubs.)
• Provides comfort measures (Proper positioning, back rubs, oral care, wrinkle free bed sheets and ensuring that bedside table, water pitcher, urinal are within reach.)
• Provides activity needs of assigned patients (i.e. dangling, turning, chair, ambulating, walker, and crutches).
• Performs measurements of assigned patients (I&O,TPR, B/P, weights, empty drains, abdominal girth, hose measurements).
• Performs additional skills as directed and supervised by the nurse, after training and certification, i.e. intermittent urinary catheterization and clean dressing changes (varies by unit or area).
• Assists with admission, transfer, and discharge of patient.
• Completes assigned aspects of admission process including vital signs, height and weight, room setup, room orientation, assists patient to bed, assures call light available etc.
• Sets up equipment for care (IV poles, admission kit, others)
• Stores and transfers belongings (dentures, hearing aids, glasses and other personal items).
• Packs up all patient belongings at discharge.
• Achieves patient satisfaction when providing patient care.
• Makes rounds minimally every two hours to assure that patients are comfortable, positioned properly, call light available, room orderly.
• Patient needs are met and satisfaction of care is expressed
• Demonstrates ability to anticipate patient needs
• Answers all call lights promptly
• Respects privacy
• Reports pertinent patient information to the nurse assigned to the patient in a timely manner.
• Documentation is completed prior to leaving shift.
• Possesses knowledge and skills necessary to obtain adequate lab specimens for testing.
• Performs patient bedside lab testing and associated quality control in compliance with medical provider's orders and hospital lab procedures/policies.
• Performs activities efficiently and accurately to facilitate quality patient care and ensure a safe and efficiently operating unit.
• Completes care while conserving resources.
• Completes work within assigned shift.
• Overtime used only as requested by Director/Nurse Manager/Lead RN/House Supervisor.
• Prevents waste of supplies and linen.
• Checks patient room for unused equipment/supplies and returns to SPD promptly.
• Assists with patient lifting in a timely manner.
• Demonstrates ability to organize and prioritize work with changes as directed by the nurse.
• Uses slow time to improve unit appearance and accept additional assignments.
• Assists others in assignment completion.
• Willingly responds to requests by nursing staff accepting delegated duties from the RN or LPN.
• Performs unit maintenance duties.
• Maintains neat and safe patient environment, including bedside table, bathrooms, wastebaskets, bedpans and specipans.
• Completes assigned maintenance tasks such as: cleaning of kitchen, refrigerators, utility room, IV poles, carts, making charts, and distributing SPD items.
• Ensures adequate stock of BSI supplies in all rooms.
• Performs errands as requested.
• Knowledgeable of locations of various support areas.
• Responds promptly to urgent requests.
• Provides for safety measures of assigned patients (lift equipment, transfers, side rails, bed checks, call lights, gait belt use, back safety, slide board, use of restraints).
• Uses protective equipment appropriately.
• Practices good body mechanics, getting assistance as needed to protect patient and own safety.
• Promptly reports unsafe equipment or risky situations.
• Adheres to handwashing policy.
• Demonstrates knowledge of ordering supplies for the unit as delegated.
• Accurately files patient chart documents.
• Keeps unit organized.
• Knowledgeable of quality improvement indicators and assists in achieving positive patient outcomes.
• Prints Diet Census and Station Census.
• File reports from printer/fax.
• Checks accommodation code.
• Posts assignments/turns/information on board.
• Post NPO and daily weight signs.
• Change batteries for lift equipment
• Prepares charts for anticipated discharges and nursing homes.
• Stocks rooms, BSI boxes.
• Assembles admission packets.
• Stuff charts as appropriate
• Attends and participates in unit and housewide committees, meetings (i.e. Unit Secretary meetings, meetings with CEO, benefits meetings, etc)
• Utilizes technology accurately and efficiently.
• Enter pending/confirmed discharge in bed management system.
• Assigns staff phones and coordinates with call light system.
• Prints labels as needed.
• Updates Bed Management system with admits and discharges.
• Understands and is knowledgeable of computer downtime procedures.
• Utilizes the intranet and email to keep abreast of information.
• Uses and is able to troubleshoot fax machine and printer.
• Greets visitors, physicians, patients and team members in a friendly receptive manner.
• Promptly and courteously acknowledges individuals at the desk.
• Offers assistance when needed.
• Answer telephone timely, professionally, identifying unit, name, and title.
• Establishes positive working relationships with other team members.
• Knowledgeable and respectful of the roles other ancillary department team members have in delivering patient care.
• Conveys warmth, concern and respect for all those who come in contact.
• Communication with others is open, honest and respectful.
• Utilizes proper phone techniques i.e. hold, transfer, etc.
• Prioritizes and accurately channels incoming and outgoing information.
• Maintains flexibility and is able to adapt to rapidly changing environment and work volume i.e. Code Blue, RRT staffing needs.
• Assists in achieving department goals and objectives.
• Utilizes teamwork effort to maintain positive patient perceptions in the areas of promptness, friendliness, attitude towards calls, problem solving, attention to special needs, temperature of food, noise level, temperature of room, attitude towards visitors, and concern for privacy.
• Attends educational offerings to validate skills and maintain current knowledge of patient care. Participates in Unit Councils, staff meetings, etc.
• Gives and receives peer evaluation constructively.
• Recognizes unit as three interrelated shifts, supporting changes and assisting with staffing needs.
• Is knowledgeable of quality assurance indicators and assists in improvement of patient care, such as ID bands, patient falls and infection control.