Major Responsibilities
Demonstrates competency in the physical care of the patient according to AHF/unit patient care standards, including the following as appropriate for the unit:
- Personal care for all body systems, including bathing, oral hygiene, perineal care, linen changes and hair care.
- Pre- and post-op/ procedure care
- Post-mortem care
- Patient in restraints
- Placement of electrodes for cardiac, respiratory and/or fetal monitoring
- Assisting with ambulation and exercise
- Patients with infectious diseases including TB, hepatitis, AIDS, including those requiring isolation.
- Correct positioning of patients in beds, chairs, and specialty surfaces
- Transfer of patient (e.g. bed to chair, bed to commode or back)
- Transportation of patients on wheelchair, stretcher, bed, etc.
- Demonstrates competency in skin care protocols and care
- Accurately performs/ documents intake/ output, vital signs, weights and other monitoring, including computerized charting.
- Promptly notifies nurse of abnormal vital signs, observations, physical complaints, etc.
- Patient with latex allergies
- Assist in identifying patients at risk for falls and preventing falls
- Maintain a clean, safe and comfortable environment for the patient, including correct handling of body fluids and appropriate cleaning of equipment between patients.
- Demonstrates utilization of proper body mechanics and appropriate lift techniques/ resources.
- Performs glucose monitoring via fingerstick
Implements admission, transfer and discharge procedures, according to AHF/unit standards:
- Assists with timely admission, discharge or transfer
- Provides explanations of the physical environment, including communication devices.
- Accurately records relevant and required information on the appropriate documentation tool.
- Collects and properly forwards patient's personal belongings at the time of transfer, discharge or death, documenting disposition.
- Assures unused equipment and supplies are cleaned/removed from the patient's room after discontinuation
- Utilizes discharge process, to include bed tracking, when discharging/transferring patients.
Utilizes effective communication and interpersonal skills:
- Assures timely and appropriate communication of patient/ family issues.
- Establishes therapeutic relationships with patients, families and members of the health care team through effective use of verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
- Utilizes appropriate lines of authority.
- Maintains confidentiality in accordance with hospital policies.
- Demonstrates effective conflict resolution skills.
- Demonstrates awareness of satisfaction issues and contributes to resolution and improvement.
Demonstrates competence in the following skills:
- Time management and prioritization
- Teamwork
- Problem solving and critical thinking
- Organization of work and environment
- Timely response to patient/nurse needs and requests
Participates in maintaining supplies, equipment and unit cleanliness:
- Maintains a neat and orderly appearance of patient areas.
- Restocks supplies at the bedside, supply shelves, and other designated areas.
- Reports broken, malfunctioning or missing equipment to the appropriate person.
- Ensures appropriate charges are made.
- Properly handles, stores, cleans and maintains equipment.
- Efficiently and appropriately uses supplies, linen and dietary items.
Demonstrates self-growth/accountability:
- Participates in quality assurance and PI activities.
- Participates in at least 50% of unit meetings and reads/initials minutes of all meetings not attended.
- Maintains awareness of hospital/division/unit procedure/policy changes which affect the delivery of patient care.
- Verbalizes how his/her job supports organizational/ departmental goals and pillars of excellence.
- Demonstrates Cultural Commitments.
- Assures competency maintained.
- Complies with unit-specific articulated job expectations.
Demonstrates competency in all required complex care activities within their home units as determined by unit need. These competencies will include the following but not limited to:
- Completion of Preceptor training and serving in Preceptor role.
- Glucose monitoring and quality control checks.
- Respiratory Care including tracheostomy care, suctioning, etc.
- Complete required CPR training as defined by organization
- Dressing changes
- Monitoring chest and other drainage tubes and levels, reporting deviations
- Procedure/Equipment set-up
- Assembling, administering, monitoring tube feedings
Assists in achieving unit quality scores which meet or exceed hospital/ national average for nurse-sensitive quality indicators such as skin breakdown, falls, and others as appropriate for the unit.
Minimum Job Requirements
Education
High school diploma or GED
Knowledge / Skills / Abilities
Ability to communicate with patients, staff, and coworkers.
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
Spends much of the day walking and standing on tile or carpet, bending, stooping, and sitting. Must be able to use visual near and distance acuity. Must have verbal ability to communicate in person and over the phone or radio. Must be able to assist co-workers in transfers and transport supplies, patients/residents, or equipment using good body mechanics. Must have functional range of motion of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spines, upper and lower extremities with a grip strength of 60-80 pounds, specific to the job class evaluation. Must be able to forward reach, overhead reach, bend, squat, kneel and change from one position to the other rapidly. Must be able to lift 25-60 lbs. and carry 25-50 pounds specific to job class evaluation. Must be able to tolerate high noise, busy atmospheres and noxious odors.
Preferred Job Requirements
Education
Certification / License
BLS, CPI; Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) preferred.
Experience
One year of experience taking care of patients and dealing with the public preferred.
Knowledge / Skills / Abilities
DISCLAIMER
All responsibilities and requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only responsibilities to be performed by an employee occupying this job or position. Employees must follow any other job-related instructions and perform any other job-related duties requested by their leaders.
