Nursing Assistant - Surgical Med/Surg - Part-Time - Days

Job Summary

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 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, including ADLs, ambulation, and vital signs. The Care Partner may require approved advanced technical training skills, such as phlebotomy, simple treatments, dressing changes, oral suctioning, and discontinuing Foley catheters. Additional advanced skills may be required to support clinical care and will vary depending on the needs of the unit.

Core Responsibilities And Essential Functions

• Excellence in Patient Experience by partnering with the health care team, patient, and family. Patient-Centered Care - Clinical Practice Supports an environment of healing or wellness for patients which includes: addressing patient needs, following the plan of care as assigned or instructed by a licensed professional; and while carrying out role responsibilities, engages the patient and family in compliance with the treatment plan.

• Effectively contributes to the plan of care or treatment based on assigned tasks and patient/family input in collaboration with the healthcare team with a focus on the care continuum. Consistently implements all safety interventions to minimize risk in achieving intended outcomes. Protects rights and dignity of patient. Maintains confidentiality adhering to HIPAA regulations and recommended privacy procedures.

• Participates in hourly patient rounding. Answers telephone and call lights promptly, professionally, and notifies appropriate individual of need for follow-up. Resolves patient concerns or escalates to the charge nurse if unable to resolve patient concerns. Proactively offers assistance and comfort measures to patients and families. Presents self in 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 (ex. hygiene, nutrition, elimination, physical comfort measures) and additional advanced skills based on unit-specific requirements (ex. phlebotomy, EKG, removal of Foley catheters and removal of IVs). Answers telephone and call lights promptly, professionally, and notifies appropriate individual of need for follow-up. 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. 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, evidenced-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, i.e. AIDET (Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explain, Thank you). Uses safety communication techniques, i.e. 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 EMR (Electronic Medical Record). Communicates patient care concerns/problems/emergencies to the RN or Charge Nurse in a timely manner. Real-time communication is required. Uses positive and respectful communication with all members of the healthcare team, patients, and families. Maintains equipment, i.e. blood pressure machines, glucometers, and other patient care equipment. When devices are not properly working, sequester, tag, and report to appropriate personnel. Communicates with patient and updates white boards with information. Knowledgeable, maintains, and 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. Consistent use of proper hand hygiene. Keeps patient rooms and unit areas clean and free of clutter. Follows appropriate PPE/Infection control policies in between patient care and equipment usage. Reinforces the importance of universal precautions with patient and patients' family. Utilizes proper body mechanics, patient-safe handling devices (i.e. lifts, transfer equipment, etc.), and additional assistive devices (i.e. walkers, gait belts). Performs environment of care rounds. Performs other duties as assigned.

Compliance

Complies with all Wellstar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.

Required Minimum Education

A high school diploma or equivalent is preferred.

Required Minimum License(s) And Certification(s)

• BLS - Basic Life Support or ARC-BLS - American Red Cross Basic Life Support or BLS-I - Basic Life Support - Instructor

Additional License(s) And Certification(s)

• Graduation from a state-approved program for Certified Nursing Assistants or Patient Care Tech Program

Preferred Required Minimum Experience

Previous direct care experience preferred.