Unit Assistant UA - General Surgical - PT Nights

Clinical Support Position

Northeast Georgia Health System is rooted in a foundation of improving the health of our communities.

About the Role:

General Surgery is a 32-bed nursing unit with four equipped with negative pressure and 2 with bariatric ceiling lifts. Care is rendered to patients with a variety of specialties including, but not limited to:

• Bariatric Surgery including Gastric Bypass, Gastric Sleeve, Duodenal Switch, and Revisional cases
• Urology diagnosis and procedures Oncology Gynecology surgery
• General Surgery including major bowel procedures
• Vascular surgery procedures
• Plastic Surgery including skin grafts, flaps and reconstructive surgery
• Podiatry
• Other medical and surgical patients in times of high census

Nurses provide care and monitoring for patients with IV patient-controlled analgesia. Nurses are competent in the care of patients with the following: nephrostomy tubes, continuous bladder irrigations, biliary drains, Jackson Pratt drains, Constavac drains, epidurals, chest tubes, tracheostomy tubes, and peritoneal dialysis. Nurses who have completed competencies may access and de-access Portacaths, and perform negative pressure wound dressing changes.

Minimum Job Qualifications

• Licensure or other certifications:
• Educational Requirements: High School Diploma, GED, or high school transcript showing completion of at least the sophomore level of high school.
• Minimum Experience: No previous experience is required. Candidates who have not successfully completed the Foundations of Nursing course (RN students only), have less than six months of PCT experience within the past two years, or do not hold a current and active CNA certification will be enrolled in the PCT Academy, NGHS's in-house training program.
• Other:

Essential Tasks and Responsibilities

• Obtains and reports basic patient physiological data (such as vital signs, weight, skin condition, color and character of urine and stool.
• Utilizes proper body mechanics, provides for positioning, mobility, hygiene, ADL, and/or comfort needs according to procedure and direction.
• Monitors fluids intake and output and documenting.
• Promptly identifies and reports physical and mental status changes to licensed staff assigned to the patient.
• Organizes patient care and sets appropriate priorities by implementing physician and nursing orders within prescribed time frames.
• Performs therapeutic procedures within the parameters of the job description; reporting patient's response to supervising nurse.
• Makes frequent rounds to patient's room in addition to responding without prompting to patient call lights, instituting appropriate actions.
• Explains procedure or care to be provided to patient prior to start of procedure such a mobilizing patient.
• Accurately & timely records patient data and forwards to supervisory staff within established time frames.
• Promptly answers patient intercom and responds by directing patient's request to appropriate staff, filling requests as defined by Unit routine, and following up with patient/family to be sure request was completed.
• Makes necessary diet requests and/or notifies the Dietary Department of changes.
• Performs emergency procedures (i.e. CODE, fire, or disaster codes) according to policy.
• Print Ticket to Ride for transports.
• Enters the time of patient discharge in the Electronic Medical Record.
• Ensures completeness of D/C'd patient chart before sending to Medical Records.
• Contributes to patient safety by: Utilization of Universal Precautions for all patients. Careful adherence to NGHS Hand Hygiene policy. Providing a safe patient environment (i.e. call light within reach, side rails up, etc.). Obtaining and restocking isolation supplies for patients in Infection Precautions. Completing and documenting equipment cleaning responsibilities as well as maintaining properly functioning equipment. Promptly reports equipment issues to Charge Nurse.
• Places supplies from storeroom in designated areas, as appropriate.
• Notifies appropriate departments of needed repairs and follows through on requests.
• Distributes linen and ice to patient as needed in addition to frequently offering refreshments as patient's diet permits.
• Performs patient transport functions as needed by the unit.
• Prepares room for new admissions. Ensures PPE on the back of the door, bed is turned down, and any appropriate supplies or equipment is available for the incoming patient.
• Orients patient/family/significant other to unit & room. Greets patient & family in a positive pleasant manner with each encounter.
• Answers the telephone in a polite and courteous manner: Screens and refers all calls appropriately to ensure accurate communication.
• Places reports (i.e. x-ray, etc.) in patient's chart or insures reports are sent to appropriate units.
• Maintains patient's chart by: Thinning charts as needed. Replenishing forms as needed. Placing reports on appropriate chart location.
• Makes recommendations to unit Director for purchase of new equipment of supplies as appropriate.
• Completes daily/weekly requisitions to accurately reflect the unit's needs.
• Records refrigerator temperature daily on appropriate sheet.
• Maintains printers by changing ribbons, replenishing paper and reporting problems to information systems.
• Replaces telemetry batteries according to unit.
• Replaces glove boxes and wipes in patient rooms when supply is low.
• Participates in staff meeting with no more than two absences.
• Reads and responds to e-mails in timely manner.
• Exhibits flexibility in scheduling to meet dept staffing needs.
• Completes unit specific & annual competency assessment requirements within specific timelines.

Working at NGHS means being part of something special: a team invested in you as a person, an employee, and in helping you reach your goals.

NGHS: Opportunities start here.

Northeast Georgia Health System is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will not tolerate discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected classification or status.