Care Partner - Med Surg

Job Summary Care Partners are responsible for meeting the basic needs of patients by providing skilled bedside patient care under the direction of the Registered Nurse. They also perform clerical duties necessary for the functioning of the nursing unit. Responsibilities General Patient Care Carrying out the patient’s plan of care as it relates to the patient’s physical needs under the direction of the Registered Nurse. Delivering care requiring broad knowledge of aseptic technique, medical terminology, and equipment. Assisting nurses and physicians with procedures. Maintaining knowledge of and operating equipment used in patient care safely. Retrieving patient care items not routinely available on the unit. Retrieving, recovering, or following up on patient care needs. Completing unit clerical duties including coordination of designated unit activities, transcription of orders, medical record maintenance, and serving as a unit receptionist. Preparing rooms prior to admissions and following discharges. Completing patient’s belongings list on admission and transfer. Directing prompt and courteous attention to the needs of patients, families, and visitors. Rounding with purpose. Engaging in service recovery activities and referring unusual problems to Nurse Manager/Designate. Rounding after dietary trays are passed to ensure all meals are appropriate or as required for patient satisfaction and care needs. Taking appropriate action when necessary, including resolution of issues related to late or wrong trays. Feeding and setting up trays as needed. Recognizing needs and initiating appropriate action in regard to maintaining supplies and equipment. Notifying appropriate department to maintain a clean, safe environment (housekeeping, maintenance, dietary, etc.). Functioning as a resource person to co‑workers, patients/families, medical staff, and ancillary personnel. Safety and Comfort Correctly placing restraints; observing for constriction of circulation, changes to skin integrity, adequate breathing; knowing when and how to change position; providing range of motion and skin care, toileting, and opportunities for socialization. Operating cardiac monitor (on/off switch, alarms/stand‑by, obtaining strip, lead placement). Vital Signs and Measurement Completing point‑of‑care testing as approved by hospital and competency. Obtaining vital signs, including temperature. Measuring abdominal girth. Weighing patients. Measuring intake and output. Mobility and Exercise Applying pneumatic air stockings/Ted hose. Ambulating, turning, and positioning patients. Respiratory Care Assisting with incentive spirometry and cough/deep breath. Setting up oxygen therapy such as nasal cannula or mask as directed by the Registered Nurse. Monitoring pulse oximetry. Completing tracheostomy care. Performing suctioning (oral and tracheal when the patient is assessed by the Registered Nurse to be stable). Wound Care Placing patient on specialty bed. Performing dressing changes (sterile and clean). Caring for pin‑care site after assessment has been completed by the Registered Nurse; assisting in monitoring traction weights. Bowel and Bladder Elimination Administering enemas. Performing straight catheterization and providing catheter care. Hygiene Providing daily hygiene and grooming. Providing mouth care (including dentures) at least twice daily. Providing fresh water at 08:00, 16:00, 24:00 and as needed. Providing perineal care. Assisting with toileting. Specimen Collection Obtaining midstream (clean‑voided) urine specimen. Obtaining timed urine specimen. Obtaining sterile urine specimen from an indwelling catheter. Obtaining urine specific gravity (South and ICU only). Obtaining urine pH. Obtaining expectorated sputum specimens. Obtaining blood specimens by venipuncture. Obtaining stool specimens. Clerical Answering phone within 3 rings, identifying self, title, and nursing unit. Providing directions to physicians, hospital personnel, and visitors to patient’s room. Notifying the physician and nursing staff of new patient’s arrival to unit. Assisting in the receiving of articles brought to the nursing unit. Answering pneumatic tube promptly and returning carriers to the appropriate area. Preparing a daily worksheet and confirming all appointments concerning daily work (including blood work) and updating worksheet on each shift. Verifying census sheet, maintaining and updating as necessary. Informing Admitting Department of all transfers, discharges, admissions, room changes, and deaths through the computer, including disposition of appropriate paperwork. Informing staff/charge nurses/nurse manager of nursing unit activities (return of patients to the floor, physician stat orders, new admissions, etc.). Assisting nursing staff and ancillary personnel to ensure appropriate and complete specimen labels/requisition orders. Reporting critical lab values to appropriate personnel. Initiating and completing secretarial portion of the pre‑op checklist. Completing the administrative data screen for all new admissions and updating daily. Assisting the nursing staff with paperwork involved in the patient transfer and discharge procedure, including movement of medications. Giving a full report to the oncoming person (leaving a written report if unable to give verbal). Informing the Charge Nurse of additional orders left for the night shift. Checking patient chart periodically throughout the shift for “stat,” flagged and un‑flagged orders. Checking physician orders daily for unsigned verbal/telephone orders and placing appropriate flag. Entering orders into the computer accurately. Calling departments to order tests, procedures, and consults which cannot be ordered through the computer. Transcribing orders for tests/procedures/consults onto the TESTS/PROCEDURES section of the profile. Ensuring labels are correctly placed on all forms. Transcribing medication orders to the medication administration record accurately. Placing all physician orders in pharmacy bin and faxing all physician orders to pharmacy during night shift. Signing orders to indicate orders were taken off with date, time, signature, and title. Utilizing appropriate backup systems in the event of computer downtime. Ensuring that stat and timed orders are transcribed promptly. Initiating and assembling charts. Keeping chart in order; thinning chart as needed and placing in appropriate file. Obtaining old charges from Medical Records through the computer. Ensuring Medical Records picks up old charts by placing them in assigned pick‑up area on day of discharge. Completing medical record checklist and ensuring that the complete chart is sent to Medical Records within 24 hours of discharge and immediately upon patient death. Sending complete chart including thinned chart and old chart on transfer to patient. Ensuring allergy and isolation cards are posted in charts when indicated. Completing and signing secretarial portion of death summary. Safety and Infection Control Practicing standard precautions and disposing of hazardous wastes per established guidelines. Maintaining a safe, clean, comfortable, and therapeutic environment for patients/families/employees per hospital standards (clutter‑free, minimal background noise, dress code adherence). Reporting risk management concerns. Completing all annual mandatory requirements (TB screening, safety training, information security, abuse & neglect course, blood‑borne pathogens training, etc.). Obtaining report from Registered Nurse and informing nurse of changes in patient’s condition. Communicating concerns or patient complaints to Registered Nurse and other team members as appropriate. Documenting all procedures and care concisely and legibly on chart forms according to guidelines. Identifying problems, gathering pertinent data, suggesting solutions, and working toward problem resolution. Empties soiled linen containers. Working in a constant state of alertness and safe manner. Service Demonstrating care and courtesy by providing prompt, respectful, courteous service. Meeting physical, spiritual, psychological, and emotional needs of patients and families per Registered Nurse direction. Responding to call lights promptly and apologizing for mix‑ups and delays. Communicating effectively and maintaining confidentiality; listening to staff/patient/family concerns and addressing needs within scope of responsibility. Explaining procedures, education, and all relevant information in a manner understandable to staff, patient, and family. Provision of accurate change‑of‑shift reports, quality care per standards, sharing knowledge with other departments, and using resources wisely. Personal Accountability Adhering to all customer service standards in patient care and work practices. Participating in additional learning experiences including staff meetings, mandatory in‑services, and educational programs. Evaluating self‑performance by identifying strengths and areas for improvement. Assisting in identifying and implementing nursing unit goals. Performance Improvement Identifying problems, participating in data collection, suggesting solutions, and working toward problem resolution. Participating in performance/ process improvement, including unit‑based PI plans and data outcomes discussion. Collaborating to develop and implement action plans. Incorporating Performance Improvement and Commitment to Quality results into job performance. Offering suggestions for improvement of unit activities and participating in research activities as appropriate. Age Appropriate Care Providing age‑appropriate care to infants, children, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients as stipulated; demonstrating knowledge and skills of normal growth and development. Assessing and interpreting age‑specific data to identify patient needs. Utilizing communication skills necessary to interpret age‑specific responses. Involving family or significant others in decision making related to services provided. Providing service needed for the age groups routinely served by the department. Including position‑specific responsibilities as required. Specialized Care (High‑risk patients) Restraint care: initiating/evaluating alternatives, applying restraints, monitoring patient response, providing specified care, and facilitating timely release. Pain management: following pain management plan, reporting patient complaints of pain, and coordinating care as needed. Abuse assessment: recognizing signs, reporting to physician and Risk Management, and recommending appropriate consultations. 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. Required Course : Completion of a learning program with 80% passing score on written and skills performance examination. Work Shift : Night Shift. Work Hours : 36 scheduled weekly hours. Benefits : SSM Health offers a comprehensive benefits package including paid parental leave, flexible payment options, and tuition coverage. Work Conditions Regular exposure to the risk of blood‑borne diseases, contact with patients in diverse circumstances, and exposure to unpleasant elements. Work may involve emergency care, irregular hours, and pressure due to competing demands. Physical Requirements Prolonged standing/walking, lifting, positioning, pushing, and/or transferring patients; lifting supplies/equipment up to 100+ pounds; considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching. EEO Statement 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 SSM-SLUH, Inc