Unit Assistant UA - Heart Failure Intermediate Care Unit - Full Time Days

12-hour evening to morning shift.

About the Role

Provides a wide variety of support services for the units. Offers clerical support by maintaining patient records, unit supplies, equipment, and serving as a facilitator for communications for the assigned area. Performs patient care within the scope of defined practice and interacts with patients, public, and employees throughout the institution. Functions under the direction of a registered professional nurse and works collaboratively with the healthcare team. This position cares for patients in the adolescent, adult, and geriatric age groups. Employee performs duties in accordance with population-specific guidelines and adheres to National Patient Safety Goals as outlined in policy and procedures.

Requirements

• High School Diploma, GED, or high school transcript showing completion of at least the sophomore level of high school.
• No previous experience is required. Candidates who have not successfully completed the Foundations of Nursing course (RN students only), have less than six months of PCT experience within the past two years, or do not hold a current and active CNA certification will be enrolled in the PCT Academy, NGHS’s in-house training program.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred but not required: typing skills, ability to operate the electronic medical record (EMR).

Skills

• Ability to work effectively with other departments and the general public.
• Ability to accept direction from the nursing staff and perform basic skills and procedures designated for unit assistants.
• Good interpersonal skills and adaptability in changing situations and work assignments.
• Ability to concentrate during multiple interactions and interruptions.

Responsibilities

• Obtains and reports basic patient physiological data (such as vital signs, weight, skin condition, color and character of urine and stool).
• Utilizes proper body mechanics, provides for positioning, mobility, hygiene, ADL, and/or comfort needs according to procedure and direction.
• Monitors fluids intake and output and documents accordingly.
• Promptly identifies and reports physical and mental status changes to licensed staff assigned to the patient.
• Organizes patient care and sets appropriate priorities by implementing physician and nursing orders within prescribed time frames.
• Performs therapeutic procedures within the parameters of the job description; reporting patient's response to supervising nurse.
• Makes frequent rounds to patient's room in addition to responding without prompting to patient call lights, instituting appropriate actions.
• Explains procedure or care to be provided to patient prior to start of procedure such as mobilizing patient.
• Accurately and timely records patient data and forwards to supervisory staff within established time frames.
• Promptly answers patient intercom and responds by directing patient’s request to appropriate staff, filling requests as defined by unit routine, and following up with patient/family to ensure request was completed.
• Makes necessary diet requests and/or notifies the Dietary Department of changes.
• Performs emergency procedures (i.e., CODE, fire, or disaster codes) according to policy.
• Prints Ticket to Ride for transports. Enters the time of patient discharge in the Electronic Medical Record. Ensures completeness of discharged patient chart before sending to Medical Records.
• Contributes to patient safety by:
  • Utilization of Universal Precautions for all patients.
  • Careful adherence to NGHS Hand Hygiene policy.
  • Providing a safe patient environment (i.e., call light within reach, side rails up, etc.).
  • Obtaining and restocking isolation supplies for patients in Infection Precautions.
  • Completing and documenting equipment cleaning responsibilities as well as maintaining properly functioning equipment.
  • Promptly reporting equipment issues to Charge Nurse.
• Places supplies from storeroom in designated areas, as appropriate.
• Notifies appropriate departments of needed repairs and follows through on requests.
• Distributes linen and ice to patients as needed in addition to frequently offering refreshments as patient’s diet permits.
• Performs patient transport functions as needed by the unit.
• Prepares room for new admissions. Ensures PPE on the back of the door, bed is turned down, and any appropriate supplies or equipment is available for the incoming patient.
• Orients patient/family/significant other to unit & room. Greets patient & family in a positive pleasant manner with each encounter.
• Answers the telephone in a polite and courteous manner: Screens and refers all calls appropriately to ensure accurate communication.
• Places reports (i.e., x-ray, etc.) in patient’s chart or ensures reports are sent to appropriate units.
• Maintains patient’s chart by:
  • Thinning charts as needed.
  • Replenishing forms as needed.
  • Placing reports on appropriate chart location.
• Makes recommendations to unit Director for purchase of new equipment or supplies as appropriate.
• Completes daily/weekly requisitions to accurately reflect the unit’s needs.
• Records refrigerator temperature daily on appropriate sheet.
• Maintains printers by changing ribbons, replenishing paper, and reporting problems to information systems.
• Replaces telemetry batteries according to unit.
• Replaces glove boxes and wipes in patient rooms when supply is low.
• Participates in staff meetings with no more than two absences.
• Reads and responds to e-mails in a timely manner.
• Exhibits flexibility in scheduling to meet department staffing needs.
• Completes unit-specific and annual competency assessment requirements within specific timelines.

Physical Demands

• Weight Lifted: Up to 50 lbs, frequently 31-65% of the time.
• Weight Carried: Up to 20 lbs, frequently 31-65% of the time.
• Vision: Moderate, frequently 31-65% of the time.
• Kneeling/Stooping/Bending: Occasionally 0-30%.
• Standing/Walking: Occasionally 0-30%.
• Pushing/Pulling: Frequently 31-65%.
• Intensity of Work: Frequently 31-65%.
• Job Requires: Reading, writing, reasoning, talking, keyboarding.