JOB SUMMARY:

• Responsible for performing basic care to an assigned group of patients in accordance with hospital policies, procedures, and standards of care under the direction of the nursing staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee:

• Utilizes AIDET (Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explanation, and Thank) and a team approach to all care provided, including bedside report and white board updates.
• Provides basic care to assigned patients as directed, delegated, and supervised by the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN).
• Assists patients with daily personal care, including bed baths, oral care, showers, etc.
• Answers patient call lights in a prompt and efficient manner (less than 3 minutes for a regular light and less than 1 minute for a bathroom light). Assists in providing purposeful hourly rounding on dayshift and every 2 hours on nightshift.
• Distributes patient food trays and assists patients with meals, as directed.
• Documents patient intake and output and observation collection for the nurse.
• Takes and documents patient vital signs, including temperature (T), pulse (P), respiratory (R), blood pressure (B/P), level of consciousness (LOC), blood oxygen level (SpO2), and pain.
• Checks and records patient height and weight on admission and daily when ordered.
• Performs Point of Care Testing (POCT), such as Accu-Chek, and maintain competency for POCT.
• Assists with coughing and deep breathing when directed.
• Discontinues adult peripheral intravenous (IV) and saline locks, under supervision.
• Provides catheter and ostomy care.
• Ambulates and transfers patients, with proper body mechanics and safety measures.
• Applies Sequential Compression Device (SCD) pumps, ice packs, or heating pads when directed.
• Provides pre-operative and post-operative care for surgical or procedural patients.
• Turns and positions patients.
• Assists with administering enema and records results.
• Assists with the admission and dismissal of patients.
• Reports all abnormal findings and observations to the nurse.
• Answers the phone in a professional courteous manner.
• Works at the desk, maintaining charts, patient census, and answers questions for visitors and patients.
• Participates in Performance Improvement (PI) Initiatives, quality assurance (QA), and any other departmental research or studies as requested by the department manager or charge nurse.
• Fosters positive internal and external customer relations.
• Assists in training and orientation of new department employees when directed – non-delegated tasks only.
• Meets all mandatory education and competencies. Completes the following competencies within 2 months of hire:
  • Telemetry Monitoring
  • Performing EKG’s
  • Phlebotomy
  • Orthopedic splinting
  • Obtaining nasal swabs for testing
  • Sterile field set up
  • Performing hearing screens in newborns
  • Collecting specimens from newborns

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent

License/Certification

• Current Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in the State of Ohio preferred
• Current State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA) in the State of Ohio preferred
• Current Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) preferred

Experience

• 1 year of recent direct patient care experience in a healthcare setting
• Proficient computer systems and effective oral and written communication skills