Digestive Health ACA

Overview

To be part of our organization, every employee should understand and share in the YNHHS Vision, support our Mission, and live our Values. These values - integrity, patient-centered, respect, accountability, and compassion - must guide what we do, as individuals and professionals, every day.

Under the direction of the Registered Nurse, and as a member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team, the ACA provides patient-centred care based upon respect for patients' preferences, values and needs. Responsibilities include direct and indirect patient care activities essential to providing high quality and safe patient care consistent with an exceptional patient experience. The ACA demonstrates competence in patient‑centered care, teamwork, communication and collaboration, evidence‑based practice, safety and informatics.

The core competency of Patient and Family‑Centred Care is demonstrated through the PFCC 4 principles: participation, dignity and respect, information sharing, and collaboration. Service excellence is illustrated by creating a great “First Impression” through exemplary customer service skills for all stakeholders, adhering to the “I Am YNHH” service excellence pledge, and promoting a positive work environment.

EEO/AA/Disability/Veteran

• Patient Centered Care:
  The ACA provides care and services that respect the patient or designee as a full partner in coordinated, compassionate, and culturally appropriate care.
  • Obtains specific components of individual and age‑appropriate care requirements from registered nurse and/or licensed provider.
• Communication:
  The ACA interacts effectively with patients, families, and all health‑care providers and employees, fostering mutual respect to enhance the patient experience and health outcomes.
  • Utilizes appropriate methods for interacting professionally with persons of all ages, cultures, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, lifestyles, and physical abilities.
• Team
  
  Collaboration:
  
  The ACA functions effectively within nursing and interdisciplinary teams, demonstrating open communication, mutual respect, team learning, and development.
  • Demonstrates self‑awareness, recognizes limitations and communicates concerns to appropriate team members.
• Quality and Safety / Efficient Delivery of Care:
  The ACA minimizes risk of harm to patients and providers through effective individual and team performance, employing High Reliability Organization (HRO) behaviors, e.g., CHAMP.
  • Demonstrates effective use of equipment that supports quality and safe patient care.
• Informatics:
  The ACA uses information and technology to communicate information, mitigate error, and support team decision making.
  • Achieves and maintains competencies in clinical applications supporting areas of responsibility.
• Professional Development / Clinical
  
  Competencies:
  
  The ACA demonstrates accountability for clinical competency in care delivery.
  • Demonstrates accountability and responsibility for own practice.
• Clinical Responsibilities:
  The ACA performs clinical functions as per scope of practice, which may include:
  • As part of the rooming process: identifies patient, introduces self, escorts to exam/procedure room, prepares the patient using standardized workflow (vital signs, height, weight, BP, EKG, specimen collection, phlebotomy, INR, pulse oximetry, point‑of‑care testing, etc.).
• Administrative Responsibilities:
  The ACA performs clerical functions such as sending/receiving patient medical records and abstracting new patient records into EPIC.
  • Handles other administrative duties as documented in the Scope of Practice.
• Environmental Support Functions:
  The ACA sets up instruments and equipment according to department protocol.

• A minimum of a high school diploma or GED.
• Graduation from an approved, accredited, postsecondary medical‑assisting program, Nursing Assistant Program, or Patient Care Associate Training.

• Preferred: 12‑18 months experience as a Medical Assistant, Nursing Assistant, or Patient Care Associate, preferably in an outpatient clinical setting or relevant patient‑care environment. Clinical competency required.

• Preferred:
  Current medical‑assisting credential (certifications or registration) acceptable to, and recognized by, the Connecticut Department of Public Health.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, peers, and interdisciplinary team.
• Flexibility in adjusting priorities and work plans based on patient needs, unit/service demands, and team dynamics.
• Professional, appropriate, effective, and tactful written, verbal, and non‑verbal communication with patients, families, medical staff, colleagues, and internal/external employees.

• Able to lift a minimum of 40 pounds.
• Ability to perform tasks requiring physical endurance and dexterity as required by placement, with consistent use of proper body mechanics.