Clinical Assistant

Forrest General Hospital•Hattiesburg, MS

18d

About The Position

The Clinical Assistant (CA) participates in providing total direct patient care as part of a team and works therapeutically with a community of emotionally unstable and/or chemically dependent patients. The position is managed by the Patient Care Manager and is under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse. The CA provides basic patient care and procedures, observes patients and maintains safety, assists with activities of daily living, obtains and reports vital signs, and contributes to team objectives. The role also includes transporting patients to and from activities in a timely manner and completing other assigned duties. The CA must provide care appropriate to patients’ ages and behavioral health needs, use knowledge of growth and development, and assess and interpret patient-status information to identify needed care. The CA is expected to document thoroughly, concisely, and promptly; provide shift reports and verbal communication; share pertinent patient information with the health care team; and maintain clinical skills, competencies, and assigned trainings and certifications. Required technical skills for the assigned unit population include obtaining blood sugars, restraints, suicide precautions, bathing, dressing, ambulating, and feeding patients. The CA must also be able to safely position patients or assist nurses with positioning using devices, walkers, and crutches, and follow organizational values, policies, procedures, safety and infection-control standards, and standards of care.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Valid driver's license and a good-standing driving record upon hire.
Basic Life Support certification within 30 days of employment.
Handle with Care certification within 30 days of employment.
Restraint and Seclusion Training within 30 days of employment.
Ability to perform clinical and clerical tasks, cooperate with others, and demonstrate initiative.
Good verbal and written communication skills.
Sensitivity to the needs of others and good interpersonal skills.
Ability to work therapeutically with emotionally unstable and/or chemically dependent patients.

Nice To Haves

Two years of experience in a health care setting is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide basic patient care and procedures as part of a team-based approach to total direct patient care.
Observe patients and maintain patient safety.
Assist patients with physical and emotional activities of daily living.
Obtain, record, and report vital signs to the appropriate staff member.
Transport patients to and from activities in a timely manner.
Assess patient-status information and interpret it to identify and provide appropriate care.
Document care thoroughly, concisely, and promptly, and provide shift reports and verbal communication.
Communicate pertinent patient information to health care team members.
Perform technical skills required for the assigned unit population, including obtaining blood sugars, restraints, suicide precautions, bathing, dressing, ambulating, and feeding patients.
Safely position patients or assist nurses with positioning using a variety of devices, walkers, and crutches.
Maintain clinical skills, ongoing competencies, and assigned trainings and certifications.
Follow patient-care and Forrest General Hospital policies, procedures, and standards of care, and promote customer service, safety, infection control, and compliance standards.
Complete other assigned duties and tasks.