Care Partner I - Trauma Orthopedics (WO)

It’s more than a career, it’s a calling. MO-SSM HealthSaint Louis University Hospital 1201 Grand Worker Type: Regular Job Summary Care Partners are responsible for meeting the basic needs of patients by providing skilled levels of bedside patient care under the direction of the Registered Nurse. Care Partners also perform clerical duties necessary to the functioning of the nursing unit. Responsibilities General Patient Care Carry out the patient’s plan of care as it relates to the patient’s physical needs under the direction of the Registered Nurse. Deliver care requiring broad knowledge of aseptic technique, medical terminology and equipment. Assist nurses and physicians with procedures. Maintain knowledge of and operate equipment used in patient care safely. Retrieve patient care items that are not routinely available on the unit. Retrieve, recover or follow up on patient care needs. Complete unit clerical duties including the coordination of designated unit activities, transcription of orders, medical record maintenance and serving as a unit receptionist. Prepare rooms prior to admissions and following discharges. Complete patient’s belongings list on admission and transfer. Direct prompt and courteous attention to the needs of patients, families, and visitors. Rounds with purpose. Engage in service recovery activities referring unusual problems to Nurse Manager/Designate. Rounds after dietary trays to ensure all meals are appropriate or as required for patient satisfaction /care needs. Takes appropriate action when necessary including the resolution of issues related to late or wrong trays. Feeds and sets up trays as needed. Recognize needs and initiate appropriate action in regard to maintaining supplies and equipment. Notify appropriate department to maintain a clean safe environment (housekeeping, maintenance, dietary, etc.). Function as a resource person to co‑workers, patients/families, medical staff, and ancillary personnel. Safety and Comfort Correctly place restraints; observe for constriction of circulation, changes to skin integrity, adequate breathing; know when and how to change position; provide range of motion (ROM) and skin care, toileting, and opportunities for socialization. Operate Cardiac Monitor (On/off switch, alarms, lead placement). Vital Signs/Measurement Complete Point of Care Testing as approved by hospital and competency. Obtain vital signs including temperature. Measure abdominal girth. Weigh patients. Measure intake and output. Mobility and Exercise Apply Pneumatic Air Stockings / Ted Hose. Ambulate, turn and position patients. Respiratory Care Assist with incentive spirometry and cough / deep breath. Set up oxygen therapy such as nasal cannula or mask as directed by Registered Nurse. Monitor pulse oximetry. Complete tracheostomy care. Perform suctioning (oral, tracheal when assessed by RN). Wound Care Place patient on specialty bed. Perform dressing changes (sterile and clean). Care for pin site after assessment completed by RN. Assist in monitoring that traction weights are hanging freely and in good alignment. Bowel and Bladder Elimination Administer enemas. Perform straight catheterization and provide catheter care. Hygiene Provide hygiene and grooming daily. Provide mouth care (including dentures) at least twice/day. Provide fresh water at 0800, 1600, 2400 and as needed. Provide perineal care. Assist with toileting. Specimen Collection Obtain midstream (clean‑voided) urine specimen. Obtain timed urine specimen. Obtain sterile urine specimen from indwelling catheter. Obtain urine specific gravity (South and ICU only). Obtain urine pH. Obtain expectorated sputum specimens. Obtain blood specimens by venipuncture. Obtain stool specimens. Clerical Answer phone within 3 rings identifying self, title and nursing unit. Provide directions to physicians, hospital personnel and visitors to patient’s room. Notify physician and nursing staff of new patient’s arrival to unit. Assist in receiving of articles brought to the nursing unit. Answer pneumatic tube promptly and return carriers to the appropriate area. Prepare a daily worksheet and confirm all appointments concerning daily work (including blood work) and update worksheet on each shift. Verify census sheet, maintain and update as necessary. Inform Admitting Department of all transfers, discharges, admissions, room changes and deaths through the computer. Inform staff/charge nurses/nurse manager of nursing unit activities: return of patients to the floor, physician stat orders, new admissions, etc. Assist nursing staff and ancillary personnel to ensure appropriate and complete specimen labels/requisition orders. Report critical lab values to appropriate personnel. Initiate and complete secretarial portion of the pre‑op checklist. Complete the administrative data screen for all new admissions and update daily. Assist the nursing staff with paperwork involved in the patient transfer and discharge procedure to include movement of medications. Give a full report to the oncoming person (leave written report if unable to give verbal). Check patient chart periodically throughout the shift for “stat”, flagged and un-flagged orders. Enter orders into the computer accurately. Call departments to order tests, procedures, and consults which cannot be ordered through the computer. Transcribe orders for tests/procedures/consults onto the TESTS/PROCEDURES section of the profile. Ensure labels are correctly placed on all forms. Transcribe medication orders to the medication administration record accurately. Place all physician orders in pharmacy bin. Fax all physician orders to pharmacy during night shift. Sign orders to indicate orders were taken off with date, time, signature and title. Safety/Infection Control Practice standard precautions and dispose hazardous wastes per established guidelines. Maintain a safe, clean, comfortable and therapeutic environment for patients/families/employees. Report risk management concerns. Assume responsibility for completing all annual mandatory requirements (TB screening, ethics training, safety training, information security, abuse & neglect, blood‑borne pathogens, etc.). Obtain report from RN and inform nurse of changes in patient’s condition. Communicate concerns or patient complaints to RN and other team members as appropriate. Document all procedures and care concisely and legibly on chart forms. Identify problems, gather pertinent data, suggest solutions and work toward problem resolution. Empty soiled linen containers. Work in a constant state of alertness and safety. Service Excellence Demonstrate care and courtesy. Communicate effectively and maintain confidentiality. Demonstrate competence and collaboration. Provide cost‑effective services. Personal Accountability Adhere to customer service standards in patient care and work practices. Participate in additional learning experiences to increase competence. Assist in identifying and implementing nursing unit goals. Performance Improvement Identify problems and participate in data collection when requested. Participate in performance/process improvement processes. Incorporate PI and C2Q results into job performance. Offer suggestions for improvement of unit activities. Age‑Appropriate Care Provide age‑appropriate care to infants, children, adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients. Demonstrate knowledge and skills of normal growth and development. Assess and interpret age‑specific data to identify patient needs. Utilize communication skills necessary to interpret age‑specific responses. Involve family or significant others in decision making. Provide service needed for the age groups routinely served by the department. Specialized Care Provide restraint care and pain management. Recognize and report abuse and neglect. Qualifications Minimum Education: High School graduate or GED equivalent and at least 18 years of age. Post‑high school vocational/specialized training preferred. Minimum Experience: None Required Course: Completion of learning program with 80% passing score on written and skills performance examination. Working Conditions Regular exposure to risk of blood‑borne diseases. Contact with patients under wide variety of circumstances. Exposure to unpleasant elements. May perform emergency care. Subject to irregular hours. Pressure due to multiple competing demands. Physical Requirements Prolonged, extensive, or considerable standing/walking. Lifts, positions, pushes, and/or transfers patients. Lifts supplies/equipment. Considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, lifting, pulling 100+ pounds. Required Professional License and/or Certifications State of Work Location: Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Wisconsin Basic Life Support HealthCare Provider (BLS HCP) – American Heart Association (AHA). Other resuscitation certifications may be required dependent on department. Benefits Paid Parental Leave: one week of paid parental leave for newborns or newly adopted children (pro‑rated based on FTE). Voluntary benefit offered through DailyPay – instant access to earned, unpaid base pay (fees may apply) before payday. Upfront tuition coverage through FlexPath Funded for eligible team members. SSM Health is an equal opportunity employer. SSM Health does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. #J-18808-Ljbffr