Perioperative Care Assistant

About the role

Performs nonprofessional direct and indirect care activities under the supervision of a professional Registered Nurse. Assists in the provision of high quality, cost-effective care by performing delegated tasks. Performs preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative support activities to assist the nursing team caring for surgical/procedural patients which may include total care within the scope of practice (stable patient’s vital signs, activities of daily living, promotion of comfort) and the performance of point of care tests.

Responsibilities

• Reports changes in patient’s condition to a RN.
• Aids personnel in obtaining supplies, instruments, and equipment for surgical/procedural cases.
• Utilizes appropriate aseptic technique to open sterile supplies for patient use or for sterile field; performs shave preps; and holds extremities during surgical or procedural preps.
• Cleans and prepares work area for next patient and shift.
• Transports patients to and from various areas.
• Cleans transport devices.
• Aids in patient transfers and positioning.
• Retrieves/cleans patient care equipment.
• Adds fixative to specimens when needed.
• Provides respiratory support by properly setting up equipment needed for oxygen administration including the changing of tank regulators and checking of tank volumes.
• Follows all departmental policies and procedures including the reporting of equipment/room repairs to appropriate persons in a timely manner.
• Processes instruments/scopes when requested as the need arises.
• Documents in designated log books completion of cleaning tasks.
• Wraps instruments and supplies for sterilization labeling appropriately with color appropriate labels.
• May be assigned the task of preparing/processing OR linen and sterile packs.
• Documents appropriately to foster the work of the department.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• Successful completion of departmental clinical support or PCA orientation.
• Obtain certification in Basic Life Support or HeartSaver First Aid within 30 days of hire date.

Qualifications

Prior patient care experience.

CNA or MA experience.

Skills and Abilities

• Understands and practices excellent personal hygiene.
• Operates computer program with training.
• Ability to follow directions both written and verbal (i.e., proficient reading and writing English language).
• Team-building communications and work efforts to assist healthcare providers.
• Skills needed to utilize Safe Patient Handling equipment.

Benefits

N/A

Pay

N/A

Schedule

Variated shifts; rotational coverage of midnights, and weekends.