Unit Secretary/Nursing Tech - Neuro Specialty Care

About the role

Presbyterian Hospital's Neuro Specialty Care is hiring a Unit Secretary/Nursing Tech to perform secretarial and clerical duties while acting as a communication center for the nursing unit. The role includes performing advanced patient care procedures under the direction of a registered nurse or licensed provider, such as initiating intravenous therapy, splinting/casting, suturing, and reinforcing patient education. In CDS Emergency Departments and PresNows, the position also involves performing advanced support procedures for the operation of the Emergency Department. Supervision is provided by the Charge Nurse and/or Nurse Manager/Asst. Nurse Manager.

Responsibilities

• Greets and directs customers courteously.
• Promotes and facilitates accurate and timely unit communication.
• Answers telephones and efficiently processes information; redirects calls to appropriate parties.
• Monitors patients and collects information for documentation in the patient record.
• Transports patients and documents actions on the patient record.
• Collects and records vital signs in the patient record.
• Inserts and removes non-medicated, peripheral intravenous therapy lines under the direction of a licensed Provider (CDS Emergency Departments and PresNows only).
• Performs phlebotomy after appropriate training.
• Applies fiberglass splints, casts, and traction devices.
• Performs bedside testing such as oximetry, ECG, glucometry, urinalysis, and other tests.
• Scrubs and sutures wounds under the direction of a licensed Provider (CDS Emergency Departments and PresNows only).
• Performs wound care and dressing changes.
• Prepares patients for surgery.
• Removes gastric and urethral tubes under direct nursing supervision and after adequate training.
• Performs enemas and pericare.
• Performs other skills under the direction of a Nurse or Provider and after competency validation.
• Coordinates and maintains specific equipment, supply systems, and sterile processing systems.
• Operates patient monitoring systems specific to unit needs.
• Uses the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) at the skill level commensurate with responsibilities included in this description, as well as that of a Unit Secretary when required.
• Ensures cleanliness of nutrition areas and general unit; cleans and stores equipment; empties trash, linen bags, and sharps containers.
• Readies rooms for the next patient; stocks medical supplies, linens, and paper goods; inventories equipment as required; processes broken equipment as directed.
• Delivers specimens to Laboratory, Microbiology, and Pathology; transports x-rays, blood, and equipment.
• Performs basic clerical duties such as answering phones, taking messages, filing, and copying.
• Participates in the nutritional well-being of the patient through tray delivery, assistance with patient set-up, and accurately records consumption.
• Administers oxygen under the direction of a licensed Nurse; assists patients with portable or wall oxygen and ensures proper storage of E cylinders.
• Assists nurses and physicians with sterile procedures.
• Assists with activities of daily living such as feeding, bathing, and walking patients.
• Assists or provides patient hygiene, including shaving, mouth care, foot care, pericare, and bathing.
• Organizes care to contribute to the overall quality of the team.
• Communicates information pertinent to the end-of-shift summation before leaving the unit.
• May be requested to assist at other CDS Emergency Departments based on operational needs and individual competency, consistent with organizational staffing policies.
• Demonstrates and role models CARES behaviors: Continuous learning, Accountability, Respecting and Responding, ensuring an Environment of health, and obtaining Superior outcomes.
• Supports organizational and service line business objectives by providing standardized, evidence-based care to achieve optimal outcomes and patient experiences.
• Performs other duties as needed.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required.
• Preferred: specialized training in basic patient care (Certified Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant, Nursing student who has completed a skills lab) or at least 6 months experience in direct patient care.
• Receives on-the-job training and competency verification to perform primary functions.
• Maintains current training in BLS (AHA Healthcare Provider) required at time of hire.
• Maintains current certifications in required emergency response training.
• Completes all organizational, department of Nursing and Department-specific competency training/requirements within specified timeframe.

Benefits

• Educational and career development options, including tuition and certification reimbursement, and scholarship opportunities.
• Staff Safety wearable badge for discreet emergency assistance.
• Differentials for night/weekend shifts, higher education, certifications, and various lead roles (for eligible positions).
• Malpractice liability insurance.
• Loan forgiveness through the New Mexico Higher Education Department.
• Access to a wellness program with free on-site and community-based gyms, nutrition coaching and classes, mindfulness and meditation resources, and wellness challenges.