NURSING CARE ASSISTANT I - CARDIOTHORACIC STEPDOWN - DAYS

About the role

Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. As the largest of the four Duke Health hospitals with 1,062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center and an endo-surgery center.

Duke University Health System is designated as a Magnet organization. Nurses from each hospital are consistently recognized as North Carolina’s Great 100 Nurses. The system has been awarded the American Board of Nursing Specialties Award for Nursing Certification Advocacy and employs over 6,000 registered nurses.

The Nursing Assistant (NA) is a patient care support partner with the Registered Nurse (RN) and/or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), performing delegated tasks and assisting with both direct and non-direct patient care coordination. The NA is expected to uphold basic care standards, support acutely ill patients, maintain medical asepsis, respect patient dignity and privacy, and adhere to all policies and procedures during routine and emergency situations. Additional responsibilities include maintaining a clean patient/family environment, ordering and maintaining unit equipment and supplies, accurate documentation in the electronic health record, and effective communication with patients, families, and healthcare team members.

Responsibilities

• Prepare patients, equipment, and supplies for procedures; provide manual assistance as required.
• Obtain and record patient data for medical records; notify RN/LPN of collected information.
• Administer treatments and personal care procedures, including feeding, bathing, hair care, clothing changes, nail care, bed-making, ambulation assistance, enemas, skin care, and bowel/bladder elimination.
• Reinforce patient teaching as instructed by RN and/or providers.
• Assist providers and nurses with physical examinations by positioning patients, changing non-sterile dressings, and weighing patients.
• Take and record vital signs, intake and output (I&O), and apply ice bags; report changes in patient condition.
• Turn and position patients, set up and feed patients, provide fresh drinking water, and perform fingersticks for blood glucose testing (with appropriate training), documenting results and notifying RN/LPN.
• Assist with patient admission, discharge, and transportation.
• Follow standard precautions and use personal protective equipment as required.
• Collect, deliver, and conduct routine tests on patient specimens.
• Clean assigned areas; stock and replenish supplies and equipment.
• Participate in professional development by maintaining required skills validation and attending educational offerings; support the development of other staff and formal learners.
• Perform clean dressing changes for wounds over 48 hours old.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of procedures and techniques for administering routine and special treatments.
• Working knowledge of sanitation, personal hygiene, and basic health and safety precautions in a hospital setting.
• Working knowledge of the organization and physical layout of the hospital.
• Working knowledge of infection control procedures and safety precautions.
• Ability to withstand prolonged standing and walking; active role requiring frequent bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing.
• Ability to frequently lift or move objects and patients weighing over 35 pounds with assistance or appropriate lift equipment.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to document and communicate pertinent information using computer and/or paper documentation tools.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients and hospital staff.
• Working knowledge of principles and practices of providing non-professional bedside patient care.
• Pre-employment Physical Capacity Testing may be required.

Requirements

• Currently listed as a Nursing Assistant I (NA I) with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Service Regulation with no substantiated findings of abuse, fraud, neglect, or misappropriation of property.
• BCLS certification must be maintained/completed by the end of new hire orientation, which typically takes place during the first week of employment.

Benefits

• Relocation Assistance (based on eligibility)
• Quality of Life: Living in the Triangle region