Patient Care Associate/ENDO Tech, FT 36 hours per week

Description

At Bristol Health, we begin each day caring today for your tomorrow. We have been an integral part of our community for the past 100 years. We are dedicated to providing the best possible care and service to our patients, residents and families. We are committed to provide compassionate, quality care at all times and to uphold our values of Communication, Accountability, Respect and Empathy (C.A.R.E.). We are Magnet ® and received the 2020 Press Ganey Leading Innovator award for our rapid adoption and implementation of healthcare solutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Use your expertise, compassion, and kindness to transform the patient experience. Make a difference. Make Bristol Health your choice.

Assists the registered nurse in nursing care and preparation of surgical patient by performance of routine and delegated duties, according to standards and policies of the Bristol Hospital Endoscopy Department. Assists Physician during endoscopic procedures. Provides assistance in emergency procedures, as well as elective and scheduled cases, and assists in preparation, transportation and supervision of patients.  On call hours required. 

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

Collaborates with the RN to utilize nursing process for all aspects of care in a manner consistent with Endoscopy standards.

• Shares all pertinent observations, assessments and recommendations regarding patient needs to the RN or charge nurse.
• Ensures proper and accurate identification of patient and procedure.
• Performs nursing actions with safety, skill, efficiency and effectiveness.
• Ensures patients' right to privacy and confidentiality.
• Demonstrates creativity and innovativeness, while adhering to accepted policies and procedures.
• Regularly demonstrates ability to exercise independent judgement in times of need and emergency situations.

Provides direct care to assigned patients based on current policies and procedures and accepted standards of care which meet the nursing needs of these patients.

• Uses available Endoscopy standards.
• Displays ability to function with new equipment and procedures after appropriate education has been provided.
• Incorporates new knowledge into practice, in order to meet needs of patients.
• Demonstrates knowledge of all existing policies and procedures.
• Sets up equipment and supplies for specific endoscopy case.
• Performs after-care of equipment (decontamination/scope cleaning).
• Performs leak testing.

Provides pre-op teaching to patients and families (when available).

• Assesses needs and priorities of patients and family (when available); Patient education process.
• Utilizes nursing experts in the patient education process as appropriate.

Documents appropriately all nursing care.

• Documents complete, concise, clear and pertinent information; i.e., incidents and/or observations.

Effectively communicates with nurses and Physicians in the planning, implementation of patient care.

• Seeks and uses peers' ideas and knowledge in development of plans. Seeks consultation after identifying personal limits of knowledge, whenever necessary, in order to clarify patient needs.
• Communicates timely pertinent status changes to the RN or physician.
• Ensures up-dating and compliance of physician's preference cards.
• Reports results of accucheck/change in vital signs.

Acts as resource person to nursing colleagues, student nurses and new employees.

• Responds to requests from peers in an acceptable time period.
• Participates on hospital or unit committees. Communicates applicable and important information about committee activities to entire staff via reports and minutes of meetings.
• Participates in the orientation of staff.

Recommends appropriate changes/improvements in procedures and unit activities and participates in implementation of those changes.

• Recommends change in practice, policy and procedure to appropriate person or representative which addresses identified needs or problems. Assists in implementation of change. Demonstrates support of changes which will improve patient care.

Assumes the role of patient advocate.

• All actions during work time reflect a priority of patient care. Is punctual and regularly attends to schedule. Maintains professional demeanor and adheres to dress code.
• Ensures collaboration between staff, patient and family or significant others, when available. Is aware of legislative or community issues affecting the patient population.

Maintains responsibility for own continued learning and development.

• Regularly recognizes and evaluates own strengths and weaknesses.
• Develops plan to meet learning needs.
• Attends available workshops and seminars to enhance clinical skills, within budget limits.
• Remains up-to-date within the field.
• Seeks out or maintains advanced certification appropriate to clinical area.
• Has attended mandatory in-service education: BLS, Safety & Infection Control, Phlebotomy, Accucheck, 12 Lead EKG.

Qualifications

Educational / Minimum Requirements:

• Basic life Support (BLS)  from American Heart Association or American Red Cross at time of Hire.
• High School Diploma or equivalent, required
• Active CNA certificate or One (1) year of experience in a role as a PCA, Ed Tech or CNA in acute or long term care.
• Good Communication Skills
• CFER certification will be obtained within 12 months (if the candidate has prior ENDO experience) OR after 12 months, but prior to 24 months (if the candidate has no prior ENDO experience). 

OR 

• 3rd year BSN student who has completed two clinical rotations
• Medical Assistant 

OR 

• EMT

Bristol Hospital Mandated Educational Requirements:

General orientation at time of hire.  Accucheck and Fire/Safety/Infection Control annually. BLS from American Heart Association or American Red Cross.  Additional cross-training as appropriate to perform diverse job duties.  Successfully complete all training programs as determined by the Hospital.  Other unit based competencies/skills as required. 

Work Environment:

Normal patient care environment.  Exposure to patient fluids and waste.  Rapid pace and variable environment. 

Cognitive Requirements:

Mental flexibility to perform diverse duties involved in patient care.  Good communication skills, written and oral, and ability to follow written and oral instruction. 

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed,