Unit Assistant

Unit Assistant Reports to the Director, Patient Care Services. Receives guests, answers the telephone, communicates information and performs a variety of clerical duties. Performs designated patient care services under the direction of a Registered Nurse. Specific tasks to be performed are determined based upon patient care unit assignment and may include some or all of the duties listed below.

MISSION, VALUES and SERVICE GOALS

• MISSION: We deliver outstanding care, inspire health, and connect with heart.
• VALUES: Trust. Respect. Integrity. Compassion.
• SERVICE GOALS: Personally connect. Keep everyone informed. Be on their team.

Performs a variety of receptionist and clerical duties by:

• Greeting visitors, patients, personnel and physicians in a pleasant and courteous manner.
• Answering the telephone promptly and taking and relaying messages for physicians, nurses, patients, etc. in a timely, courteous and accurate manner.
• Preparing patient charts for admission, transfer, discharge and surgery.
• Monitoring and communicating medical record data received via printers and fax machines.
• Transcribing and inputting physicians' orders into the computer accurately and in a timely manner.
• Entering all charges daily and immediately upon discharge or transfer.
• Entering and updating transfers, discharges, conditions and other clinical data with information provided.
• Maintaining an orderly work area, requesting repairs/or services of Bio Engineering, Plant Operations or Environmental Services, as necessary.

Performs patient care services by:

• Assisting with patient admission (setting up patient room, orienting patient to room and recording basic patient information) and discharge.
• Bathing patients, assisting with oral hygiene, making beds, straightening rooms and providing ongoing care throughout the shift.
• Giving, placing and emptying bedpans/urinals/commodes.
• Turning, positioning, moving, lifting, transferring and ambulating patients (including chest tube patients); also assisting with range of motion exercises using proper techniques.
• Preparing patients for meals (feeding or assisting); distributing and collecting meal trays.
• Taking and recording vital signs including temperatures, blood pressure, pulse and respirations; also measuring and recording standing or bed scale weights.
• Answering patient call lights, addressing the need and/or relaying messages appropriately.

Participates in patient care treatments and procedures by:

• Performing skin care including cleaning patients' skin, surgical/procedural skin preps (clips, shaves, etc.) and applying skin products under the direction of a Registered Nurse.
• Performing wound care including sterile/unsterile dressing changes, hot/cold applications, suture/staple removal and documenting observations on the medical record.
• Conducting, performing and recording procedures (i.e., catheter insertion or removal, blood glucose monitoring, external monitors, hematest, incentive spirometry, sputum collection, IV site observation, , discontinuing peripheral IVs/reseals, NG suction set-up, maintaining/adding feeding, recording intake, cardiac monitoring, EKG, checking arterial pressure lines, implementing deep vein thrombosis prevention measures, etc.) as directed by a Registered Nurse.
• Emptying, measuring and recording foley, ileostomy/colostomy and/or gastric drainage bags and making ostomy pouch/dressing changes (established); emptying or changing oral suction containers; also recording, calculating and totaling intake and output records.
• Preparing and administering perineal (catheter) care, ice bags/collars and non-medicated enemas as assigned.
• Performing emergency procedures including calling a Code Blue, gathering equipment, performing CPR and using AED.
• Implementing isolation precautions including standard precautions, respiratory or strict isolation.
• Obtaining specimens as directed including urine, stool, hemoccult. gastroccult, sputum or nasal cultures (including MRSA).
• Assisting with postmortem care as directed by RN.

Supports the patient care unit operations by:

• Observing, reporting and following up on patient complaints, unusual behavior, abnormal condition changes, incidents, concerns, questions or complaints expressed by patient, family or visitors.
• Transporting patients (by wheelchair or cart) and delivering and returning equipment or supplies.
• Maintaining supply levels by observing and reporting necessary orders and placing supplies in the proper place when delivered.
• Cleaning and maintaining equipment during and after use (IVACs and isolation equipment).
• Maintaining neat and orderly patient care areas (linen removed from patient rooms and commodes and urinals emptied) and work areas (clean and soiled utility rooms, kitchen area).
• Maintaining clean and orderly work areas (clean and soiled utility rooms, kitchen area).

Performs other functions to maintain personal competence and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the department by:

• Attending in-services and department meetings; also participating in continuing education and attending conferences as approved.
• Completing other job-related duties and projects as assigned.

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Associate complies with the following organizational requirements:

• Attends and participates in department meetings and is accountable for all information shared.
• Completes mandatory education, annual competencies and department specific education within established timeframes.
• Completes annual employee health requirements within established timeframes.
• Maintains license/certification, registration in good standing throughout fiscal year.
• Direct patient care providers are required to maintain current BCLS (CPR) and other certifications as required by position/department.
• Consistently utilizes appropriate universal precautions, protective equipment, and ergonomic techniques to protect patient and self.
• Adheres to regulatory agency requirements, survey process and compliance.
• Complies with established organization and department policies.
• Available to work overtime in addition to working additional or other shifts and schedules when required.

Education and Experience

• The knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated below are acquired through the successful completion of a high school diploma or equivalent is preferred. Must be a minimum of 17 years of age. Previous patient care experience preferred. A Nurse Assistant certification is preferred. Must obtain Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS/CPR) within 3 months of hire and maintain certification.

Knowledge & Skills

• Demonstrates ability to read, legibly print or write, correctly spell medical and non-medical terms and understand and follow verbal and written instructions.
• Requires an understanding of medical terminology.
• Demonstrates math skills necessary to add, subtract, multiply, divide, use fractions and calculate percentages (for example, weigh patients and take pulses, respirations, etc.).
• Requires the ability to work with minimal supervision and handle multiple activities concurrently, as well as able to prioritize work.
• Demonstrates interpersonal skills necessary to deal tactfully and effectively with co-workers, nurses, patients and families, doctors and others.
• Demonstrates communication skills necessary to communicate clearly with patients, families, doctors, nurses, etc. and the ability to understand their requests and instructions received.
• Requires proficiency in basic computer skills and sufficient keyboarding skills to complete the work assigned accurately and in a reasonable amount of time.

Working Conditions

• Works in a patient care environment requiring physical exertion, frequent changes in job demands, certain undesirable patient care activities and possible exposure to biohazards.
• Operates patient-related and office-related equipment.

Physical Demands

• Requires the physical ability and stamina (i.e., to remain on feet and walk for long periods of time, ability to push wheelchairs and carts, to lift or pull patients or supplies, to provide CPR, etc. and to sit for long periods of time) to perform the essential functions of the position.