Care Partner WMLM

Wellstar Health System

18h

About The Position

The Care Partner is a support care provider who works under the direction of a Registered Nurse (RN). The role focuses on promoting a positive patient experience by partnering with nurses, physicians, the healthcare team, patients, and families. The Care Partner assists with activities of daily living, comfort measures, basic patient care, and—depending on unit requirements and approved training—advanced clinical tasks such as phlebotomy, simple treatments, dressing changes, oral suctioning, and discontinuing Foley catheters. The position also includes clerical and unit-support duties, including retrieving data, maintaining supplies, and transporting supplies or patient medications. The Care Partner works in a fast-paced environment requiring multitasking, effective communication, organization, compassion, and the ability to work under stressful conditions and take direction from various care providers. Care is provided in accordance with the plan of care and under the direction of the RN. The Care Partner supports patient safety, dignity, privacy, comfort, and participation in care; responds promptly to patient and family needs; documents care in the electronic medical record; and communicates concerns and completed assignments to the RN or Charge Nurse. The role also supports unit teamwork, performance improvement, infection control, equipment readiness, and a safe care environment. The stated work shift is day shift.

Requirements

Rising senior in good standing in another or related field, or a high school diploma/GED; high school diploma/GED is listed as preferred.
BLS certification or an accepted equivalent is required upon hire: Basic Life Support (BLS), American Red Cross BLS (ARC-BLS), or BLS Instructor (BLS-I).
Ability to follow detailed directions.
Strong interpersonal skills.
Clear verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to document.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Minimum age of hire is 16.

Responsibilities

Partner with the healthcare team, patients, and families to promote an excellent patient experience and support patient-centered care.
Provide patient care under the direction of the RN, including hygiene, nutrition, elimination, ambulation, vital signs, and physical comfort measures.
Perform unit-specific advanced skills when approved and required, such as phlebotomy, EKGs, Foley catheter removal, IV removal, simple treatments, dressing changes, or oral suctioning.
Follow the assigned plan of care, address patient needs, protect patient rights and dignity, and maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and privacy procedures.
Participate in hourly patient rounding; answer telephone calls and call lights promptly; offer assistance and comfort measures; and resolve concerns or escalate them to the Charge Nurse as needed.
Assist the RN and other healthcare team members with care delivery and direct patient admissions; monitor data entry for key patient safety information; participate in charge reconciliation; and perform requested audits.
Support healthcare team initiatives, unit performance improvement, shared leadership, evidence-based practice, and ethical accountability.
Transport unit supplies, patient-care supplies, medications, and equipment as assigned.
Communicate effectively with patients, staff, physicians, families, and visitors using appropriate safety communication techniques; report concerns, problems, and emergencies promptly to the RN or Charge Nurse.
Document completion of patient care in the electronic medical record and communicate completion of duties to the RN or Charge Nurse.
Communicate with patients and update whiteboards; maintain knowledge of role-related patient-care documentation tools and downtime procedures.
Maintain patient-care equipment, including blood pressure machines and glucometers; sequester, tag, and report malfunctioning devices to appropriate personnel.
Maintain a safe care environment through hand hygiene, infection-control and PPE practices, clean and uncluttered rooms and unit areas, universal-precaution education, and environmental rounds.
Use proper body mechanics and patient-safe handling and assistive devices, such as lifts, transfer equipment, walkers, and gait belts.
Perform other duties as assigned and comply with Wellstar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.