Care Partner I - Trauma Orthopedics (WO)

It’s more than a career, it’s a calling. MO-SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital, 1201 Grand Worker Type: Regular 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. 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. Round with purpose. Engage in service recovery activities referring unusual problems to Nurse Manager/Designate. Round after dietary trays are passed to ensure all meals are appropriate or as required for patient satisfaction/care needs. Take appropriate action when necessary including the resolution of issues related to late or wrong trays. Feed and set up trays as needed. Recognize needs and initiate appropriate action in regard to maintaining supplies and equipment. Notify appropriate department in order 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/stand‑by Obtaining strip 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 the patient is assessed by the Registered Nurse to be stable. Wound Care: Place patient on specialty bed. Perform dressing changes (sterile and clean). Care for pin care site after assessment has been completed by the Registered Nurse. Assist in monitoring that traction weights are hanging freely and in good alignment. Bowel and Bladder Elimination: Administer enemas. Perform straight catheterization. Provide catheter care. Hygiene: Provide hygiene and grooming daily. Mouth care (including dentures) at least twice/day. Fresh water at 0800, 1600, 2400 and as needed. Perineal care. Toileting. Specimen Collection: Obtain mid‑stream (clean‑voided) urine specimen. Obtain timed urine specimen. Sterile urine specimen from an indwelling catheter. Urine specific gravity (5 South and 5 ICU only). Urine pH. Expectorated sputum specimens. Blood specimens by venipuncture. Stool specimens. Clerical: Answer phone within 3 rings identifying self, title and nursing unit. Do not keep person on hold for extended periods. Provide directions to physicians, hospital personnel, and visitors to patient’s room. Notify the physician and nursing staff of new patient’s arrival to unit. Assist in the 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. Include disposition of appropriate paperwork. 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 a written report if unable to give verbal. Inform the Charge Nurse if additional orders are left for the night shift. Check patient chart periodically throughout the shift for “stat”, flagged and un‑flagged orders. Check physician orders daily for unsigned verbal/telephone orders and place appropriate flag. 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. Utilize appropriate backup systems in the event of computer downtime. Ensure that stat and timed orders are transcribed promptly. Initiate and assemble charts. Keep chart in order; thin chart as needed and place in appropriate file. Obtain old charges from Medical Records through the computer. Ensure that Medical Records picks up old charts by placing them in assigned pick up area on day of discharge. Complete medical record checklist and ensure that the complete chart is sent to Medical Records within 24 hours of discharge and immediately upon patient death. Send complete chart including thinned chart and old chart on transfer to patient. Ensure allergy and isolation cards are posted in charts when indicated. Complete and sign secretarial portion of death summary. Safety/Infection Control: Practice standard precautions and dispose of hazardous wastes per established guidelines. Maintain a safe, clean, comfortable, and therapeutic environment for patients/families/employees in accordance to hospital standards. Maintain clutter‑free environment, keep personal conversations/background noise to a minimum, adhere to dress code. Report risk‑management concerns. Assume responsibility for completing all annual mandatory requirements such as TB screening, Ethics training, Safety training, Information security course, Abuse & Neglect course, Blood Borne Pathogens training, required coursework, annual competency, age/patient‑specific competency, orientation competency, unit specific training. Obtain report from Registered Nurse and inform nurse of changes in patient’s condition. Communicate concerns or patient complaints to Registered Nurse and other team members as appropriate. Document all procedures and care concisely and legibly on chart forms according to chart form guidelines. Identify problems, gather pertinent data, suggest solutions, communicate using appropriate lines of authority, and work toward problem resolution. Empty soiled linen containers. Work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner. Service: Demonstrate care and courtesy. Respond to call lights promptly. Apologize for mix‑up and delay. Communicate effectively and maintain confidentiality. Listens to staff/patient/family concerns and addresses needs within scope of responsibility. Explains procedures and all education in a manner that staff/patient/family understands. Allows time for questions. Provide accurate change of shift report. Provide quality care in accordance to standards. Share knowledge with other departments to facilitate workflow and continuity. Use resources wisely. Recommend changes in practice that increase efficiency and minimize waste. Personal Accountability: Adhere to and incorporate all customer service standards in patient care and work practices. Participate in additional learning experiences to increase competence including staff meetings, mandatory in‑services and educational programs, evaluation of self‑performance. Assist in identifying and implementing nursing unit goals. Performance Improvement (PI): Identify problems, participate in data collection when requested, suggest solutions, communicate using appropriate lines of authority and work toward problem resolution. Participate in the performance / process improvement process. Assist in developing unit based PI plan. Participate in discussion of PI outcomes. Collaborate in developing and implementing action plans. Incorporate Performance Improvement and Commitment to Quality (C2Q) results into job performance. Offer suggestions for improvement of unit activities. Participate in discussion of PI C2Q data outcomes. Collect PI C2Q data as assigned. Participate in research activities on the nursing unit as appropriate. Age Appropriate Care: Provide age‑appropriate care to infants, children, adolescents, adults and geriatric patients. Demonstrate knowledge and skills of normal growth & development necessary to provide services to the age of the patient served by the department. Demonstrate ability to assess and interpret age‑specific data to identify patient needs. Utilize communication skills necessary to interpret age‑specific responses to service and interaction. Involve family or significant other in decision making related to services provided. Demonstrate ability to provide service needed for the age groups routinely served by the department assigned. Specialized Care: Restraint Care: Initiate/evaluate alternatives to restraint prior to application. Apply restraints consistent with the approved procedure. Monitor and assess patient’s response throughout the restraint period at the appropriate intervals. Provide specified patient care (toileting, skin care, hydration, feeding, etc.) on a timely basis. Provide for trail release and removal of restraint as soon as possible. Pain Management: Follow pain management plan of care, e.g. repositioning, massage, immobilization, music therapy, etc. Report patient complaints of pain to the nursing staff and/or physician. Abuse Assessment: Be aware of abuse recognition criteria and incorporate it into assessments. Report signs of possible abuse/neglect to the physician & risk management, and recommend appropriate consultations (psychiatric, Social Work) for evaluation. Job Specifications 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 the risk of blood‑borne diseases. Contact with patients under a wide variety of circumstances. Exposure to unpleasant elements (accidents, injuries, illness). Subject to trying and unpredictable situations. 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, pushing, pulling 100+ pounds. Benefits Paid Parental Leave – one week of paid parental leave for newborns or newly adopted children (pro‑rated based on FTE). Flexible Payment Options – voluntary benefit offered through DailyPay provides eligible hourly team members instant access to earned, unpaid base pay (fees may apply) before payday. Upfront Tuition Coverage – tuition coverage through FlexPath Funded for eligible team members. Other Required Professional License and/or Certifications Basic Life Support HealthCare Provider (BLS HCP) – American Heart Association (AHA). Other resuscitation certifications may be required dependent on department. State of Work Location: Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Wisconsin Work Shift: Weekend Shift (United States of America) Job Type: Employee Department: 1060000037 Med Surg – 5S Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 SSM Health values our exceptional employees by offering a comprehensive benefits package to fit their needs. Equal‑Opportunity 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. Click here to learn more. ( #J-18808-Ljbffr SSM Health