Unit Assistant - Medical Observation Unit - Nights

Job Category: Clinical Support

Work Shift/

Schedule:

12 Hr Evening - Morning

Northeast Georgia Health System is rooted in a foundation of improving the health of our communities.

Provides a wide variety of support services for the units (s). Provides 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. Works collaboratively with the healthcare team.

This position will care 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.

• Licensure or other certifications:
• Educational Requirements: High School Diploma, GED, or high school transcript showing completion of at least the sophomore level of high school.
• Minimum Experience: 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.
• Other:

• Preferred Licensure or other certifications:
• Preferred
  
  Educational Requirements:
  
  
• Preferred Experience:
• Other:

• Ability to work effectively with other departments and the general public
• Ability to accept direction from the nursing staff; ability to perform the basic skills and procedures designated for unit assistants
• Typing skills preferred but not required; ability to operate the electronic medical record (EMR)
• Good interpersonal skills & adaptable in changing situations & work assignments
• Must be able to concentrate during multiple interactions & interruptions

• 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 documenting.
• 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 a mobilizing patient.
• Accurately & 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 be sure 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.
• Print Ticket to Ride for transports.
• Enters the time of patient discharge in the Electronic Medical Record.
• Ensures completeness of D/C’d 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…