Care Partner- SAU

Chesapeake Regional Healthcare•Chesapeake, VA

About The Position

The Care Partner assists the nurse in providing patient care and serves as a receptionist and clerical support for the nursing unit. Duties are based on the unit’s needs and must remain within the Care Partner’s education, training, and experience. The role includes patient-care activities, unit-secretary responsibilities, communication, safety and environmental duties, and support for effective teamwork and hospital operations. The Care Partner performs tasks such as taking vital signs, measuring intake and output, supporting activities of daily living, monitoring blood glucose, collecting and transporting specimens, and reporting changes in patient condition to the appropriate nurse. The role also processes orders and assists with admissions, transfers, discharges, scheduling, communications, supplies, and documentation through the electronic medical record and related systems. The position reports to the Nurse Manager and does not supervise other employees. A high school diploma or GED is required, as is one year of similar or like work experience in a healthcare setting. Current BLS certification must be obtained within 90 days. A Care Partner certification course, CNA course or program, and a Certified Nursing Assistant license are preferred.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent.
One year of similar or like work experience in a healthcare setting.
Current BLS certification within 90 days.
Reading comprehension, writing, and verbal communication skills.
Ability to perform the essential duties satisfactorily; reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

Nice To Haves

Successful completion of a Care Partner certification course or CNA course or program.
Certified Nursing Assistant license.

Responsibilities

Assist the nurse in providing patient care within the scope of education, training, and experience.
Take vital signs, measure intake and output, assist with activities of daily living, and document data in the electronic medical record.
Demonstrate competency in obtaining orthostatic blood pressures and perform blood glucose monitoring.
Collect, transport, and enter data for laboratory specimens according to policy; obtain blood products from the Blood Bank or lab according to policy.
Notify the nurse of pertinent changes in patient condition and report procedures, interventions, and patient responses to the responsible Nurse or Charge Nurse.
Maintain and stock supplies and equipment, including patient-room, medication-room, and emergency airway supplies, and use resources cost-effectively.
Process physician orders promptly and accurately through the electronic medical record and computer order-entry system; follow downtime procedures when required.
Provide clerical assistance for patient admissions, transfers, and discharges, including transportation arrangements, COBRA forms, and copying charts for transfers.
Coordinate scheduling of diagnostic and therapeutic services for patients.
Serve as nursing-unit receptionist; manage phones and other communication systems; take and deliver messages accurately and promptly.
Maintain an orderly work area and maintain or order forms, office supplies, and dietary supplies as needed.
Assist with safety during emergencies and direct hallway traffic.
Maintain effective relationships and communication with peers, physicians, hospital departments, patients, and families, adapting communication to patients’ age and developmental needs.
Maintain accountability for intradepartmental communication and communicate patient needs to the nurse caring for the patient.
Promote a safe environment by following safety precautions, patient identification procedures, age-appropriate protocols, and infection-control policies.
Help ensure patient safety by providing side rails as needed, ensuring call lights are available, identifying patients at risk for injury, and participating in measures to reduce risk.
Complete employee accident reports, respond promptly to patient monitor alarms and call bells, and initiate emergency measures appropriate to the role.
Maintain a low noise level and provide a calm, reassuring atmosphere for patients, significant others, and families.
Follow policies, procedures, and administrative protocols and support hospital accreditation, state licensure, and other external accreditation requirements.
Contribute to a healthy, collaborative work environment and emphasize teamwork; organize and reprioritize work according to patient needs, resources, and unit requirements.
Respond positively to change and attend required hospital-wide orientations, meetings, and in-services.
Demonstrate commitment to flexible work scheduling when necessary to ensure patient care.