Nursing Assistant, 5N Postpartum

Full-time position, benefits eligible, 30 hours per week. Schedule alternates between 3 and 2 twelve-hour shifts (075 FTE), with shifts from 1900 to 0730. Includes working 4 weekends in a 6-week period.

About the Role

Performs designated basic patient care and related nursing tasks to provide optimal and quality care consistent with the Hospital's 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; reports abnormalities or changes.
  • Observes patients receiving intravenous therapy and reports disruptions, disconnections, swelling, or complaints of pain/discomfort at the site.
  • Observes and reports skin abnormalities and provides appropriate therapeutic measures.
  • Monitors patient care equipment for proper functioning and reports malfunctions.
  • 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 on admission and throughout hospitalization.
  • Obtains and documents patient heights and weights 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 worksheets; gathers 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).
  • Provides hygiene for incontinent patients.
  • Performs hygienic and comfort measures (baths, bed-making, back rubs, mouth/hair/skin/nail care, denture care, changing gowns, HS care).
  • Performs and documents therapeutic measures (enemas, perineal/catheter care, unsterile heat/cold application, elastic/therapeutic stockings, glucometers).
  • Checks, turns, and repositions bedfast/incontinent patients every two hours.
  • Provides 1:1 monitoring of patients as directed.
• Patient Dietary Assistance:
  • Prepares patients for meals, assists or feeds them, and documents percentage eaten.
  • Maintains fresh water and distributes juices, nourishments, and dietary supplies as directed.
  • Forces or restricts fluids as ordered.
• Patient Transfer/Discharge:
  • Assists in the admission, transfer, and discharge process, including safe management of personal belongings.
  • Assists patients in ambulation, transfer to chair/stretcher/commode, and uses lifts as needed.
• Patient Environment:
  • Maintains a clean and neat unit and patient care environment by emptying linen hampers, trash receptacles, and cleaning refrigerators as directed.
  • Changes linens for occupied and unoccupied beds; ensures clean, dry, wrinkle-free linens.
  • Obtains and returns supplies (e.g., blood, medications) and equipment as requested.
• Call Lights:
  • Answers call lights promptly.
• Teamwork & Support:
  • Assists in standard pre-operative and post-operative care procedures as directed.
  • Performs surgical/orthopedic skin preps and surgical scrubs as needed.
  • Performs post-mortem care as needed.
  • Demonstrates initiative in seeking patient care, unit maintenance tasks, and assisting co-workers.
  • Completes unit assignments as indicated by Charge Nurse/Unit Coordinator.
  • Reports to oncoming Nursing Assistant regarding work completed and pending tasks.
• Customer Focus:
  • Ensures excellent customer service, 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 at least 75% of unit staff meetings.
  • Completes a minimum of 2 hours of continuing education programs (100% completion of mandatory programs).
  • Reviews memos, communication books, bulletin boards, and meeting minutes to stay informed.
• Professionalism:
  • Upholds professional working relationships and adheres to department rules.
  • Practices teamwork.
• Other Duties:
  • Performs other duties as assigned by management.

Requirements

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

Physical and Behavioral Requirements

• Lifting: 40 pounds from floor to waist, 15 pounds from waist to crown.
• Carrying: 55 pounds horizontally for 2 feet, front carrying 25 pounds for 150 feet.
• Pushing: 80 pounds.
• Pulling: 100 pounds.
• Gripping: 50 pounds with each hand.
• Physical endurance: Forward bending, rotation, repetitive squatting, standing for 5 minutes, and frequent walking.
• Visual acuity for reading and documenting patient charts and observing patients.
• Sense of smell for safety issues.
• Sense of touch for evaluating vital signs.
• Ability to speak and hear for effective communication with patients, family members, physicians, and staff.
• Manual finger dexterity for writing, operating equipment, and patient care.
• Ability to manage a high-stress environment due to patient volume.

Pay

Pay range: $19.80 - $29.70 per hour.

Benefits

• Compensation:
  • Base compensation within the listed pay range based on qualifications, skills, experience, and training.
  • Premium pay for shifts, on-call duties, and other select roles.
  • Incentive pay for select positions.
  • Annual increases based on performance.
• Paid Time Off: Various programs available.
• Health and Welfare Benefits:
  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Life, short-term, and long-term disability insurance.
• Financial Wellness:
  • Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses.
  • Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave.
  • Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match.
  • Educational Assistance Program.

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

About the Organization

Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. It provides care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois, Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia, and Alabama, and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin. Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience, and value-based care, serving nearly 6 million patients. It operates 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, with 155,000 teammates and one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs (over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs). The organization is recognized for expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics, rehabilitation, organ transplants, burn treatments, and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Committed to equitable care, Advocate Health provides over $6 billion in annual community benefits.