Care Partner - GI/Lab - WMCG Augusta - Full Time

About the Role

The Care Partner is a support care provider who functions under the direction of the Registered Nurse. The primary focus is to promote a positive patient experience by partnering with the nurse, physician, healthcare team, and other healthcare providers to deliver excellence in patient experience, assist with daily living activities, and provide comfort measures. The Care Partner assists with basic patient care functions such as ADLs, ambulation, and vital signs, and may perform approved advanced technical skills like phlebotomy, simple treatments, dressing changes, oral suctioning, and discontinuing Foley catheters. The role also includes clerical functions such as data retrieval, maintaining unit supplies, and transporting supplies or patient medications. The Care Partner must work effectively in a fast-paced environment, multitask, and communicate clearly with the healthcare team.

Responsibilities

• Excellence in Patient Experience:
  • Partner with the healthcare team, patient, and family to support a positive patient experience.
  • Engage patients and families in compliance with the treatment plan while carrying out assigned tasks.
  • Implement safety interventions to minimize risk and achieve intended outcomes.
  • Maintain patient confidentiality and protect patient rights and dignity.
  • Participate in hourly patient rounding and promptly respond to telephone calls and call lights.
  • Resolve patient concerns or escalate to the charge nurse if necessary.
  • Proactively offer assistance and comfort measures to patients and families.
  • Present a professional and positive demeanor, showing sensitivity to patient needs.
• Patient-Centered Care:
  • Provide patient care under the direction of the RN, including hygiene, nutrition, elimination, and physical comfort measures.
  • Perform advanced skills based on unit-specific requirements (e.g., phlebotomy, EKG, removal of Foley catheters, and IVs).
  • Assist the RN and healthcare team with care delivery as assigned.
  • Support direct patient admission and monitor data entry for key patient safety information.
  • Participate in charge reconciliation and perform audits as requested.
• Teamwork:
  • Support initiatives of the healthcare team and participate in unit performance improvement efforts.
  • Promote professional nursing practice through shared leadership, evidence-based practice, and ethical accountability.
  • Transport unit supplies, patient care supplies, medications, and equipment as assigned.
• Communication:
  • Use effective written and oral communication with patients, staff, physicians, families, and visitors (e.g., AIDET: Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explain, Thank you).
  • Apply safety communication techniques (e.g., ARRC: Ask a question, Request a change, Voice a concern, use chain of command).
  • Communicate completion of assignments to the RN or Charge Nurse and document patient care in the EMR.
  • Report patient care concerns, problems, or emergencies to the RN or Charge Nurse in real time.
  • Maintain positive and respectful communication with all members of the healthcare team, patients, and families.
  • Maintain and communicate equipment status (e.g., blood pressure machines, glucometers) and report malfunctions.
  • Update whiteboards with patient information and act as a unit expert on patient care documentation tools during downtime.
• Safety and Infection Control:
  • Provide a safe environment for patient care through consistent hand hygiene and adherence to PPE/infection control policies.
  • Keep patient rooms and unit areas clean and free of clutter.
  • Reinforce universal precautions with patients and families.
  • Utilize proper body mechanics, patient-safe handling devices (e.g., lifts, transfer equipment), and assistive devices (e.g., walkers, gait belts).
  • Perform environment of care rounds.
• Perform other duties as assigned and comply with all Wellstar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.

Requirements

• Must be 16 years of age or older.
• High School Diploma or GED preferred.
• Rising Senior in good standing (other) or equivalent education.

Qualifications

• Ability to follow detailed directions and work individually or as part of a team.
• Strong interpersonal skills and clear verbal and written communication.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or equivalent (e.g., ARC-BLS, BLS-I) upon hire.
• Graduation from a State-approved program for Certified Nursing Assistants or Patient Care Tech Program preferred.

Schedule

Various shifts (United States of America).