Nurse Assistant I/Unit Secretary- Emergency Department

Status: Full time, benefits eligible

Hours per week: 36

Schedule: Week nights (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday) with weekends as needed

Pay range: $15.75 - $23.65 per hour

About the role

Performs designated basic patient care and related nursing tasks to provide optimal and quality care consistent with the Hospital mission and Nursing philosophy, goals, standards, and bylaws. Assists the Licensed Nurse in the implementation of nursing care in predictable, uncomplicated, and stable patient situations as directed.

Responsibilities

• Patient Observation:
  • Observes and reports the patient's general appearance, behavior, and response to basic care, procedures, and treatments.
  • Observes characteristics of patient's urine, stool, and drainage and reports abnormalities or changes.
  • Observes patients receiving intravenous therapy and reports disruptions, disconnections, swelling, or patient complaints of pain/discomfort at the site.
  • Observes and reports skin abnormalities and provides appropriate therapeutic measures.
  • Observes patient care equipment for proper functioning and reports malfunctions to the Licensed Nurse.
  • Reports abnormal vital signs and changes in patient behavior to the licensed nurse.
• Patient Information & Documentation:
  • Obtains and documents patient temperature, pulse, respirations, heart rate, blood pressure, and pulse oximetry as required on admission and throughout hospitalization.
  • Obtains and documents patient heights and weights as required on admission and throughout hospitalization.
  • Measures and documents patient's fluid intake and output accurately.
  • Checks and records patient's diet, activity level, observations, treatments, and nursing care plan on worksheet; gathers all needed equipment for patient care.
  • Collects urine, stool, and sputum specimens as directed by the Licensed Nurse.
• Patient Care:
  • Maintains a safe and organized patient care environment with necessities within reach.
  • Sets priorities in patient care and delegated treatments; consults nurse when changes occur or assistance is needed.
  • Assists patient with elimination activities (bedpan, urinal, bedside commode, bathroom, bladder/bowel training) as condition indicates or as directed by the nurse.
  • Provides hygiene for the incontinent patient.
  • Performs hygienic and comfort measures (complete/partial/tub/sitz bath, occupied/unoccupied bed, back rub, mouth/hair/skin/nail care, denture care, changing gown, HS care).
  • Performs and documents therapeutic measures (enemas, perineal/catheter care, unsterile heat/cold application, elastic/therapeutic stockings, glucometers).
  • Checks, turns, and repositions the bedfast/incontinent patient every two hours.
  • Provides 1:1 monitoring of patients as directed.
• Patient Dietary Assistance:
  • Prepares patient for meals and assists or feeds patient; documents percentage eaten on Patient Care Profile.
  • Maintains fresh water and distributes juices, nourishments, and dietary supplies as directed or requested by patient.
  • Forces or restricts fluids as ordered or directed.
• Patient Transfer/Discharge:
  • Assists in the admission, transfer, and discharge process and safe management of personal belongings.
  • Assists patient in ambulation, transfer to chair/stretcher/commode, and uses lifts as needed.
• Patient Environment:
  • Maintains unit and patient care environment in a clean and neat manner by emptying linen hampers, trash receptacles, and cleaning the refrigerator as directed.
  • Changes linens for occupied/unoccupied beds and maintains clean, dry, wrinkle-free linens according to patient needs.
  • Obtains and/or returns supplies (e.g., blood, medications) and equipment as requested.
• Call Lights:
  • Answers call lights.
• Teamwork & Support:
  • Assists in standard pre-operative and post-operative care procedures as directed by the Licensed Nurse.
  • Performs surgical/orthopedic skin preps and surgical scrubs as needed.
  • Performs post-mortem care as needed.
  • Demonstrates initiative in seeking out patient care, unit maintenance tasks, and assisting co-workers.
  • Completes unit assignments on patient assignment sheet as indicated by Charge Nurse/Unit Coordinator.
  • Reports to oncoming Nursing Assistant regarding work completed and work to be done.
• Customer Focus:
  • Ensures excellent customer service to patients, including clear communication, caring treatment, timeliness, and professionalism.
  • Promotes the department positively to physicians, hospital staff, and the community.
• Meetings & Updates:
  • Attends and participates in a minimum of 75% of unit staff meetings.
  • Attends a minimum of 2 hours of continuing education programs (100% completion of mandatory programs).
  • Reviews memos, communication books, bulletin boards, and minutes of staff meetings to stay current on hospital communications.
• Professionalism:
  • Upholds a professional working relationship and adheres to department rules.
  • Practices teamwork.
• Other Duties:
  • Performs other duties as assigned by management.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED (General Studies required).
• Successful completion of a state Board of Nursing Aide I approved training program/competency evaluation.

Qualifications

• Nurse Aide I Registration with the Division of Facility Services Nurse Aide I Registry (required).
• BLS certification (required per policy guidelines).
• No prior experience required.

Skills

• Physical requirements:
  • Lifting 40 pounds from floor to waist.
  • Lifting 15 pounds from waist to crown.
  • Lifting or carrying 55 pounds horizontally for 2 feet.
  • Pushing 80 pounds.
  • Pulling 100 pounds.
  • Front carrying 25 pounds a distance of 150 feet.
  • Gripping 50 pounds with each hand.
  • Forward bending in standing position for 5 minutes.
  • Rotation in standing position.
  • Repetitive squatting.
  • Standing for 5 minutes.
  • Walking frequently.
• Visual acuity for accurately reading and documenting patient charts and observing patients.
• Sense of smell for safety issues.
• Sense of touch for evaluating patient's vital signs.
• Ability to speak and hear for effective communication with patients, family members, physicians, and staff.
• Manual finger dexterity for writing, operating equipment (e.g., maneuvering wheelchairs/beds), and positioning/moving patients.
• Ability to manage a high-stress environment due to patient volume.

Benefits

• Compensation:
  • Base compensation within the listed pay range based on qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training.
  • Premium pay such as shift differential, on-call pay, and more based on the role.
  • Incentive pay for select positions.
  • Opportunity for annual increases based on performance.
• Paid Time Off programs.
• Health and welfare benefits:
  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Life insurance and Short- and Long-Term Disability.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses.
• Family benefits:
  • Adoption assistance.
  • Paid parental leave.
• Retirement:
  • Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs.
• Educational Assistance Program.

Note: Eligibility for programs may depend on FTE or status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary).