Patient Attendant

Job Description

The Attendant assists in preparing rooms and beds for receiving patients, collects patient specimens in a caring manner, and assists patients with activities of daily living. The Attendant performs routine treatment procedures, efficiently assists nurses in complicated treatment procedures, takes and records patient vital signs, and expediently reports any observed changes in patient condition and behavior to appropriate personnel. Additional responsibilities include preparing patients for meals, feeding patients when needed, and maintaining a safe, comfortable, and therapeutic environment. The Attendant demonstrates compassion for the physical and psychological needs relevant to the age of the patient served.

Responsibilities

1. Patient Care
   1. Assists patients with daily living activities (e.g., bed bath, oral hygiene, shaving, dressing, back rubs, linen freshening), and provides general care (e.g., positioning patients, pre- and post-operative care, assisting with bed pan use) in a manner that demonstrates compassion and understanding for all patients.
   2. Takes and records patient temperature, pulse, respiration, weight, height, blood pressure, and intake-output measurement as directed by appropriate personnel in a caring and efficient manner and documents information in CIS. Expediently reports any unusual incidents or observed changes in patient condition or behavior to appropriate personnel.
   3. Collects specimens from patients for laboratory tests in a caring and respectful manner and expediently transports specimens to the lab.
   4. Prepares patients for meals, serves food, and feeds patients when needed in a manner that demonstrates compassion and respect for patient needs.
2. Quality
   1. Maintains a safe, comfortable, and therapeutic health care environment by cleaning rooms and equipment, preparing for sterilization and disinfection, promptly reporting damaged equipment and other problems to appropriate personnel, and efficiently and properly handling linen and supplies.
   2. Performs routine treatment procedures (e.g., enemas, application of appliances for hot, cold, and sitz baths) in a caring and professional manner and efficiently assists nurses in complicated treatment procedures.
3. Collaboration and Partnership
   1. Assists in preparing unit and patient room and bed in an effort to ensure that patients are adequately and properly accommodated during their hospital stay. Assists and accompanies patients during admission, transfer, and discharge procedures in a manner that demonstrates compassion and understanding for each patient.
4. Other Duties as Assigned
   1. Performs other duties as assigned or requested.

Qualifications

Education - High School or equivalent

Special Skills - Good interpersonal/human relations skills Oral communication and listening skills required

Licensure - BLS Certification