Unit Assistant UA - Medical Intermediate Care FT Days

Work Shift/Schedule: 12-hour morning to evening shifts

About the Role

Provides a wide variety of support services for hospital units. Offers clerical support by maintaining patient records, unit supplies, equipment, and facilitating communications for the assigned area. Performs patient care within the defined scope of practice and interacts with patients, the public, and employees throughout the institution. Functions under the direction of a registered professional nurse and collaborates with the healthcare team. This position cares for patients in adolescent, adult, and geriatric age groups. Adheres to population-specific guidelines and National Patient Safety Goals.

Responsibilities

• Obtains and reports basic patient physiological data (e.g., vital signs, weight, skin condition, color and character of urine and stool).
• Utilizes proper body mechanics to assist with positioning, mobility, hygiene, ADLs, and comfort needs according to procedure and direction.
• Monitors fluid intake and output and documents findings.
• Promptly identifies and reports physical and mental status changes to licensed staff.
• Organizes patient care and sets priorities by implementing physician and nursing orders within prescribed time frames.
• Performs therapeutic procedures within job parameters and reports patient responses to the supervising nurse.
• Makes frequent patient rounds, responds to call lights, and takes appropriate actions without prompting.
• Explains procedures or care to patients prior to starting (e.g., mobilizing patients).
• Accurately and timely records patient data and forwards it to supervisory staff within established time frames.
• Answers patient intercoms, directs requests to appropriate staff, fulfills routine requests, and follows up to ensure completion.
• Makes necessary diet requests or notifies Dietary of changes.
• Performs emergency procedures (e.g., CODE, fire, or disaster responses) according to policy.
• Prints "Ticket to Ride" for patient transports and enters discharge times in the Electronic Medical Record.
• Ensures completeness of discharged patient charts before sending them to Medical Records.
• Contributes to patient safety by adhering to Universal Precautions, Hand Hygiene policies, and maintaining a safe patient environment (e.g., call light within reach, side rails up).
• Obtains and restocks isolation supplies for patients in Infection Precautions.
• Completes and documents equipment cleaning responsibilities and maintains properly functioning equipment; reports issues promptly.
• Places supplies from the storeroom in designated areas.
• Notifies appropriate departments of needed repairs and follows through on requests.
• Distributes linen and ice to patients and frequently offers refreshments as permitted by the patient’s diet.
• Performs patient transport functions as needed.
• Prepares rooms for new admissions, including PPE setup, bed preparation, and ensuring necessary supplies/equipment are available.
• Orients patients, families, and significant others to the unit and room; greets them positively during each encounter.
• Answers telephones politely, screens calls, and ensures accurate communication by referring calls appropriately.
• Places reports (e.g., x-rays) in patient charts or ensures they are sent to the correct units.
• Maintains patient charts by thinning as needed, replenishing forms, and placing reports in the correct locations.
• Makes recommendations to the unit Director for new equipment or supply purchases.
• Completes daily/weekly requisitions to reflect the unit’s needs accurately.
• Records refrigerator temperatures daily on the appropriate sheet.
• Maintains printers by changing ribbons, replenishing paper, and reporting issues to Information Systems.
• Replaces telemetry batteries and glove boxes/wipes in patient rooms when supplies are low.
• Participates in staff meetings with no more than two absences.
• Reads and responds to emails in a timely manner.
• Exhibits flexibility in scheduling to meet department staffing needs.
• Completes unit-specific and annual competency assessments within specified timelines.

Requirements

• High School Diploma, GED, or high school transcript showing completion of at least the sophomore level.
• No previous experience required.
• Candidates without successful completion of the Foundations of Nursing course (RN students only), less than six months of PCT experience within the past two years, or without a current and active CNA certification will be enrolled in the PCT Academy, NGHS’s in-house training program.

Preferred Qualifications

• Typing skills and ability to operate an Electronic Medical Record (EMR).

Skills

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

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% of the time).
• Standing/Walking: Occasionally (0-30% of the time).
• Pushing/Pulling: Frequently (31-65% of the time).
• Job requires reading, writing, reasoning, talking, and keyboarding.