Care Partner-Medical Surgical Unit-FT Days

How would you like to work in a place where your contributions and ideas are valued? A place where you can serve with compassion, pursue excellence and honor every voice? At Wellstar, our mission is simple, yet powerful: to enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve. We are proud to have become a shining example of what's possible when the brightest professionals dedicate themselves to making a difference in the healthcare industry, and in people's lives.

About the Role

The Care Partner is a support care provider who functions under the direction of the Registered Nurse. The primary focus will be to promote a positive patient experience by partnering with the nurse, physician, healthcare team, and other healthcare providers to provide excellence in patient experience and assist with daily living activities and comfort measures. The Care Partner assists other health care providers with safe, age-appropriate, and culturally aware care by performing basic patient care functions such as ADLs, ambulation, and vital signs.

The Care Partner may require approved advanced technical training skills, including phlebotomy, simple treatments, dressing changes, oral suctioning, and discontinuing Foley catheters. Performing additional advanced skills may be required to support clinical care and will fluctuate depending on the needs of the unit. Clerical functions such as retrieval of data, maintaining unit supplies, and transporting supplies/patient medications will also be required.

The Care Partner must be able to work in a fast-paced environment which requires multi-tasking and effective communication with the Registered Nurse and ancillary team. Must be able to perform under stressful conditions with a compassionate, respectful, and service mindset. Must be able to take direction from a variety of care providers and be organized with excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Excellence in Patient Experience: Partner with the healthcare team, patient, and family.
  • Supports an environment of healing or wellness for patients, addressing patient needs and following the plan of care as assigned or instructed by a licensed professional.
  • Engages the patient and family in compliance with the treatment plan while carrying out role responsibilities.
  • Contributes to the plan of care or treatment based on assigned tasks and patient/family input in collaboration with the healthcare team.
  • Implements all safety interventions to minimize risk in achieving intended outcomes.
  • Protects rights and dignity of patients and maintains confidentiality adhering to HIPAA regulations.
  • Participates in hourly patient rounding.
  • Answers telephone and call lights promptly, professionally, and notifies the appropriate individual of need for follow-up.
  • Resolves patient concerns or escalates to the charge nurse if unable to resolve.
  • Proactively offers assistance and comfort measures to patients and families.
  • Presents self in a positive and professional manner and shows sensitivity to concerns and needs of others.
• Patient-Centered Care: Provides patient care under the direction of the RN.
  • Provides patient care needs (e.g., hygiene, nutrition, elimination, physical comfort measures) and additional advanced skills based on unit-specific requirements (e.g., phlebotomy, EKG, removal of Foley catheters, and removal of IVs).
  • Assists RN and other members of the healthcare team with care delivery as assigned.
  • Assists in direct patient admission.
  • Monitors data entry for key patient safety information and participates in charge reconciliation.
  • Performs audits as requested.
• Teamwork: Supports initiatives of the healthcare team.
  • Participates in unit performance improvement initiatives.
  • Supports professional nursing practice through shared leadership, evidence-based practice, and ethical accountability.
  • Transports unit supplies, patient care supplies, medications, and equipment as assigned.
  • Practices accountability.
• Communication:
  • Uses effective written and oral communication skills with patients, staff, physicians, family, and visitors (e.g., AIDET: Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explain, Thank you).
  • Uses safety communication techniques (e.g., Ask a question, Request a change, Voice a concern, Use chain of command when necessary—ARRC).
  • Communicates completion of assignment/duties to RN or Charge Nurse.
  • Documents completion of patient care in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR).
  • Communicates patient care concerns/problems/emergencies to the RN or Charge Nurse in a timely manner.
  • Uses positive and respectful communication with all members of the healthcare team, patients, and families.
  • Maintains equipment (e.g., blood pressure machines, glucometers, and other patient care equipment).
  • Sequesters, tags, and reports non-functioning devices to appropriate personnel.
  • Communicates with patients and updates whiteboards with information.
  • Acts as unit expert regarding patient care documentation tools related to their role in the event of downtime.
• Safety and Infection Control: Provides a safe environment for the provision of patient care.
  • Consistently uses proper hand hygiene.
  • Keeps patient rooms and unit areas clean and free of clutter.
  • Follows appropriate PPE/Infection control policies between patient care and equipment usage.
  • Reinforces the importance of universal precautions with patients and their families.
  • Utilizes proper body mechanics, patient-safe handling devices (e.g., lifts, transfer equipment), and additional assistive devices (e.g., walkers, gait belts).
  • Performs environment of care rounds.
• Performs other duties as assigned and complies with all Wellstar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.

Requirements

• Rising senior in good standing in a related field or high school diploma/GED (preferred).
• 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).

Skills

• Ability to follow detailed directions.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Clear verbal and written communication, including the ability to document.
• Ability to work individually and as part of a team.

Wellstar minimum age of hire is 16.