Health Care Assistant/Certified Nursing Assistant- SICU

Health Care Assistant

Within the context of Hennepin Healthcare System (HHS) culture of Patient & Family Centered Care and under direct RN supervision, the Health Care Assistant contributes to the health and well-being of assigned patients by performing quality patient care, technical procedures and related duties that meet established standards. Acts as a competent, caring and collaborative member of the patient care team. May provide clerical support for the unit including identified EHR duties, answering phones, coordinating unit communication, etc.

Responsibilities:

• Using principles of Patient & Family Centered Care develops and maintains a positive working relationship with patient and family, team members, department and medical center personnel
• Assists patients with activities of daily living, including hygiene, grooming, and bathing
• Responds to patients call lights in a timely manner, identifies patient needs and provides patients with appropriate response or communicates needs to appropriate team member
• Performs intentional rounding in collaboration with the RN
• Takes and records patient's vital signs as prescribed by nursing protocol or physician order
• Measures, and records patient intake and output according to established protocol and order
• Conducts point of care tests as assigned and/or delegated
• Communicates any changes or pertinent information related to the patient's physical appearance and attitude, I & O, vital signs, and point of care testing to the nurse. Records which nurse was notified for all abnormal results
• Keeps patient room neat, clean and orderly. Changes bed linen as scheduled and as needed
• Escorts patients on foot or transports patients on carts, beds or in wheelchairs
• Procures and stocks equipment and supplies, and insures that equipment is operable and clean
• Greets and relays information to appropriate staff, physicians, or family members
• Takes inventory of patient belongings and valuables as well as documents and secures
• Collects specimens using clean technique and labels appropriately
• Disposes of trash, linens and supplies in an appropriate manner
• Ensures patient and supply rooms are properly stocked; linen is covered
• Supports unit and medical center compliance with Regulatory standards, customer service and other initiatives
• May perform various technical procedures after training, competency validation, and upon delegation from a Registered Nurse, such as maintaining oxygen equipment, performing oral suctioning, routine incision care, providing skin care, applying and changing non-sterile dressings, applying warm and cold compresses or non-prescription topical creams/ointments, 12 lead EKG's, phlebotomies, and discontinuing IVs, saline locks and foley catheters
• Records actions in the EHR
• Performs clerical duties in EHR; answers phones and triages calls appropriately
• Performs all responsibilities/duties required by Patient Care Services as defined in the scope of service, to assure that the unique nature of the clients is addressed