Essential Functions / Major Responsibilities:

• Provides basic patient care, including vital signs, hygiene (bathing and oral care), positioning, toileting, linen changes, ambulation, range of motion, nutritional and hydration support, collecting lab specimens, placement of telemetry leads, and set-up traction.
• Ensures maintenance of safe patient environment: clutter-free, bed alarms, armband checks, ID band, fall risk, and allergy bands.
• Ensures compliance with HIPAA policies and procedures.
• Stocks suppliers per departmental needs.
• Assists the Health Unit Coordinator with duties as needed.
• Maintains departmental paperwork.
• Assists the nurse in admitting and discharging patients from the unit.
• Educates patients and families regarding room orientation, patient activities, and hospital policies.
• Documents accurately, including vital signs, intake and output, safety checks, and patient activities.
• Communicates pertinent information to the registered nurse.
• Participates in educational offerings, including in-services, competency activities, etc.
• Participates in departmental/association wide informational meetings, including staff meetings, association wide forums, and seminars.
• Displays proper etiquette and mannerisms that reflect the SHINE Behavior Standards.
• Promotes the Patient Safety Standards as a core value of the organization.
• Responsible to perform HUC duties as needed by department.
• Responsible to perform Direct Observer and Sitter duties as needed.

Secondary Functions:

• Functions as a Health Unit Coordinator as required by department:
  • Responsible for operations of the nurses’ station involving multiple simultaneous tasks to ensure the smooth and safe flow of information.
  • Serves as the unit receptionist, switchboard operator, and general “go-to person” for nurses, patient care technicians, physicians, ancillary staff, outside agencies, and visitors.

• Participates in departmental and association wide informational meetings and in services, including staff meetings, association wide forums, and seminars.
• Reviews department and association wide policies and procedures annually.
• All other duties as assigned.

Education and/or Experience:

• * - Renewal may take up to 30 days after expiration of original certification.
• **- Renewal required every 2 years
• *** - Completion of training course required within 12 months of hire date.
• # - Certification required within six months of hire date
• % - Certification required within 30 days of hire date.
• X- Required.
• - Preferred.

Job Scope:

This job involves:

• Regular and recurring work situations.
• A low to high level of complexity.
• Operation from specific and definite directions and procedures.
• Performance of duties under moderately high supervision.

Contacts:

• Are normally made within the hospital.
• Are usually made with own department, staff, and supervisor.
• Contain some discussion about confidential/sensitive matters.
• Are face-to-face with little telephone contact.
• Are usually with patients, with some physician contact.

Physical Demands & Job Conditions:

Heavy

Exert up to 100 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 lbs. of force frequently, and/or up to 20 lbs. of force constantly to move objects. The worker is subject to contact with chemicals, contact with infectious fluids, heavy lifting, constant standing, and encounters with upset/disturbed individuals.

Physical motions include finger dexterity, standing, walking, stooping, crawling, talking, reaching, feeling, sitting, bending, kneeling, climbing, grasping, listening/hearing, handling, lifting up to 50-100 pounds, and repetitive motions of the hands, wrists, and feet.

This is considered a safety-sensitive position.

OSHA Exposure Category:

OSHA Exposure Category 1

Involves exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues.

Specific Job Skills & Mental Activities:

This position requires the knowledge, skills, and clinical experience to perform in a diversified acute care setting.

This position requires knowledge of hospital equipment and programs, including all Hospital Information Systems and department specific equipment.

This position requires basic computer, communication, critical thinking, problem solving, and interpersonal skills.

Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English.