Nursing Assistant - Patient Care Unit at BEACON HEALTH SYSTEM in Granger, Indiana

Job Description:

Reports to the Director, Patient Care Services. Receives guests, answers the telephone, communicates information and performs a variety of clerical duties. Performs designated patient care services under the direction of a Registered Nurse. Specific tasks to be performed are determined based upon patient care unit assignment and may include some or all of the duties listed below.MISSION, VALUES and SERVICE GOALS

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  MISSION: We deliver outstanding care, inspire health, and connect with heart.


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  VALUES: Trust. Respect. Integrity. Compassion.


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  SERVICE GOALS: Personally connect. Keep everyone informed. Be on their team.

• Greeting visitors, patients, personnel and physicians in a pleasant and courteous manner.


• Answering the telephone promptly and taking and relaying messages for physicians, nurses, patients, etc. in a timely, courteous and accurate manner.


• Preparing patient charts for admission, transfer, discharge and surgery.


• Monitoring and communicating medical record data received via printers and fax machines.


• Transcribing and inputting physicians orders into the computer accurately and in a timely manner.


• Entering all charges daily and immediately upon discharge or transfer.


• Entering and updating transfers, discharges, conditions and other clinical data with information provided.


• Maintaining an orderly work area, requesting repairs/or services of Bio Engineering, Plant Operations or Environmental Services, as necessary.

• Performing skin care including cleaning patient's skin, surgical/procedural skin preps (clips, shaves, etc.) and applying skin products under the direction of a Registered Nurse.


• Performing wound care including sterile/unsterile dressing changes, hot/cold applications, suture/staple removal and documenting observations on the medical record.


• Conducting, performing and recording procedures (i.e., catheter insertion or removal, blood glucose monitoring, external monitors, hematest, incentive spirometry, sputum collection, IV site observation, discontinuing peripheral IVs/reseals, NG suction set-up, maintaining/adding feeding, recording intake, cardiac monitoring, EKG, checking arterial pressure lines, implementing deep vein thrombosis prevention measures, etc.) as directed by a Registered Nurse.


• Emptying, measuring and recording foley, ileostomy/colostomy and/or gastric drainage bags and making ostomy pouch/dressing changes (established); emptying or changing oral suction containers; also recording, calculating and totaling intake and output records.


• Preparing and administering perineal (catheter) care, ice bags/collars and non-medicated enemas as assigned.


• Performing emergency procedures including calling a Code Blue, gathering equipment, performing CPR and using AED.


• Implementing isolation precautions including standard precautions, respiratory or strict isolation.


• Obtaining specimens as directed including urine, stool, hemoccult, gastroccult, sputum or nasal cultures (including MRSA).


• Assisting with post mortem care as directed by RN.

• Accepts accountability and responsibility to address issues and conflicts. Follows up with unit director as needed.


• Acts as a role model and precepts new associates as requested.

• Communicate, collaborate, and function with other members of the health team.


• Responds promptly to patient, family, and staff needs. Assists in emergency situations as directed.


• Fosters a sense of trust and collaboration among team members and other departments.

• Takes ownership and pride in their job.


• Respect the dignity and rights of the patient regardless of socioeconomic status, personal attributes, or nature of health problem.


• Maintain each patient's right to privacy by protecting confidential information.

• Assisting with patient admission (setting up patient room, orienting patient to room and recording basic patient information) and discharge.


• Bathing patients, assisting with oral hygiene, making beds, straightening rooms and providing ongoing care throughout the shift.


• Giving, placing and emptying bedpans/urinals/commodes.


• Turning, positioning, moving, lifting, transferring and ambulating patients (including chest tube patients); also assisting with range of motion exercises using proper techniques.


• Preparing patients for meals (feeding or assisting); distributing and collecting meal trays.


• Taking and recording vital signs including temperatures, blood pressure, pulse and respirations; also measuring and recording standing or bed scale weights.


• Answering patient call lights, addressing the need and/or relaying messages appropriately.

• Observing, reporting and following up on patient complaints, unusual behavior, abnormal condition changes, incidents, concerns, questions or complaints expressed by patient, family or visitors.


• Transporting patients (by wheelchair or cart) and delivering and returning equipment or supplies.


• Maintaining supply levels by observing and reporting necessary orders and placing supplies in the proper place when delivered.


• Cleaning and maintaining equipment during and after use (IVACs and isolation equipment).


• Maintaining neat and orderly patient care areas (linen removed from patient rooms and commodes and urinals emptied) and work areas (clean and soiled utility rooms, kitchen area).


• Maintaining clean and orderly work areas (clean and soiled utility rooms, kitchen area).

• Seek education and supervision as necessary.


• Participates in councils, committees, and process improvement activities.


• Has regular and prompt attendance.

• Receives patient feedback via call backs, leader rounds, or sur Education and Experience
  • The knowledge, skills, and abilities as indicated below are normally acquired through the successful completion of a High School Diploma or equivalent. Must obtain Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS/CPR) within 3 months of hire and maintain current certification. Previous experience in taking vital signs, medical terminology, computer data entry, scheduling and time management experience preferred.
  
  Knowledge & Skills
  
  
  
  • Demonstrates ability to read, legibly print or write, correctly spell medical and non-medical terms and understand and follow verbal and written instructions.
  
  
  • Requires an understanding of medical terminology.
  
  
  • Demonstrates math skills necessary to add, subtract, multiply, divide, use fractions and calculate percentages (for example, weigh patients and take pulses, respirations, etc.).
  
  
  • Requires the ability to work with minimal supervision and handle multiple activities concurrently, as well as able to prioritize work.
  
  
  • Demonstrates interpersonal skills necessary to deal tactfully and effectively with co-workers, nurses, patients and families, doctors and others.
  
  
  • Demonstrates communication skills necessary to communicate clearly with patients, families, doctors, nurses, etc. and the ability to understand their requests and instructions received.
  
  
  • Requires proficiency in computer skills and sufficient keyboarding skills to complete the work assigned accurately and in a reasonable amount of time.
  
  
  
  Working Conditions
  
  
  
  • Works in a patient care environment requiring physical exertion, frequent changes in job demands, certain undesirable patient care activities and possible exposure to bio-hazards.
  
  
  • Operates patient-related and office-related equipment.
  
  
  
  Physical Demands
  
  • Requires the physical ability and stamina (i.e. to walk/stand for prolonged periods of time, push carts/wheelchairs up to 50 pounds, to position/lift patients at a maximum of 35 pounds unassisted, over 35 pounds requires assistance, provide CPR, etc.) and to sit for long periods of time) to perform the essential functions of the position.