Unit Assistant

Reports to the Director, Patient Care Services. Receives guests, answers the telephone, communicates information and performs a variety of clerical duties. Performs designated patient care services under the direction of a Registered Nurse.

• Greeting visitors, patients, personnel and physicians in a pleasant and courteous manner.
• Answering the telephone promptly and taking and relaying messages for physicians, nurses, patients, etc. in a timely, courteous and accurate manner.
• Preparing patient charts for admission, transfer, discharge and surgery.
• Monitoring and communicating medical record data received via printers and fax machines.
• Transcribing and inputting physicians' orders into the computer accurately and in a timely manner.
• Entering all charges daily and immediately upon discharge or transfer.
• Entering and updating transfers, discharges, conditions and other clinical data with information provided.
• Maintaining an orderly work area, requesting repairs/or services of Bio Engineering, Plant Operations or Environmental Services, as necessary.

Performs Patient Care Services

• Aiding with patient admission (setting up patient room, orienting patient to room and recording basic patient information).
• Bathing patients, assisting with oral hygiene, making beds, straightening rooms and providing ongoing care throughout the shift.
• Giving, placing and emptying bedpans/urinals/commodes.
• Turning, positioning, moving, lifting, transferring and ambulating patients (including chest tube patients); also assisting with range of motion exercises using proper techniques.
• Preparing patients for meals (feeding or assisting); distributing and collecting meal trays.
• Taking and recording vital signs including temperatures, blood pressure, pulse and respirations; also measuring and recording standing or bed scale weights.
• Answering patient call lights, addressing the need and/or relaying messages appropriately.

Supports Patient Care Unit Operations

• Observing, reporting and following up on patient complaints, unusual behavior, abnormal condition changes, incidents, concerns, questions or complaints expressed by patient, family or visitors.
• Transporting patients (by wheelchair or cart) and delivering and returning equipment or supplies.
• Maintaining supply levels by observing and reporting necessary orders and placing supplies in the proper place when delivered.
• Cleaning and maintaining equipment during and after use (IVACs and isolation equipment).
• Maintaining neat and orderly patient care areas (linen removed from patient rooms and commodes and urinals emptied) and work areas (clean and soiled utility rooms, kitchen area).
• Maintaining clean and orderly work areas (clean and soiled utility rooms, kitchen area).

Performs Other Functions

• Attending in-services and department meetings; also participating in continuing education and attending conferences as approved.
• Completing other job-related duties and projects as assigned.

Organizational Responsibilities

• Attends and participates in department meetings and is accountable for all information shared.
• Completes mandatory education, annual competencies and department specific education within established timeframes.
• Completes annual employee health requirements within established timeframes.
• Maintains license/certification, registration in good standing throughout fiscal year.
• Patient care providers are required to maintain current BCLS (CPR) and other certifications as required by position/department.
• Consistently utilizes appropriate universal precautions, protective equipment, and ergonomic techniques to protect patient and self.
• Adheres to regulatory agency requirements, survey process and compliance.
• Complies with established organization and department policies.
• Available to work overtime in addition to working additional or other shifts and schedules when required.

Commitment to Beacon's Six-Point Operating System

• Leverage innovation everywhere.
• Cultivate human talent.
• Embrace performance improvement.
• Build greatness through accountability.
• Use information to improve and advance.
• Communicate clearly and continuously.

Education and Experience

• The knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated below are acquired through the successful completion of a high school diploma or equivalent is preferred.
• Must be a minimum of 17 years of age.
• Previous patient care experience preferred.
• A Nurse Assistant certification is preferred.
• Must obtain Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS/CPR) within 3 months of hire and maintain certification.

Knowledge & Skills

• Demonstrates ability to read, legibly print or write, correctly spell medical and non-medical terms and understand and follow verbal and written instructions.
• Requires an understanding of medical terminology.
• Demonstrates math skills necessary to add, subtract, multiply, divide, use fractions and calculate percentages (for example, weigh patients and take pulses, respirations, etc.).
• Requires the ability to work with minimal supervision and handle multiple activities concurrently, as well as able to prioritize work.
• Demonstrates interpersonal skills necessary to deal tactfully and effectively with co-workers, nurses, patients and families, doctors and others.
• Demonstrates communication skills necessary to communicate clearly with patients, families, doctors, nurses, etc. and the ability to understand their requests and instructions received.
• Requires proficiency in basic computer skills and sufficient keyboarding skills to complete the work assigned accurately and in a reasonable amount of time.