Discharge Unit 7P

Carle Health•Peoria, IL

About The Position

The HCT/Unit Assistant facilitates nursing-unit activities by performing receptionist, transcription, and clerical processes and/or assisting Registered Nurses with delegated patient-care and unit-maintenance activities. The position manages information and connects physicians, team members, patients, and visitors with appropriate resources. The role supports patient care by providing hygiene, nutrition, elimination, skin care, comfort, activity, and measurement assistance as delegated by the nurse. It also assists with admissions, transfers, and discharges; collects lab specimens and performs bedside testing and associated quality-control procedures in accordance with provider orders and hospital policies. The assistant helps maintain a safe, organized, and efficiently operating unit through rounds, patient and room setup, equipment and supply management, chart preparation and filing, unit maintenance, and use of bed-management and communication systems. The role requires respectful, timely communication with patients, families, visitors, physicians, and colleagues, as well as flexibility in response to changing unit needs. The position participates in educational activities, meetings, and quality-improvement efforts.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Certified nurse assistant work experience.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association (AHA) within 30 days.

Responsibilities

Perform patient-care activities delegated by a nurse, including hygiene, nutrition, elimination, skin care, comfort measures, mobility, and patient measurements.
Perform additional trained and certified skills as directed and supervised by the nurse, which may include intermittent urinary catheterization and clean dressing changes, depending on the unit.
Assist with patient admissions, transfers, and discharges, including vital signs, height and weight, room setup and orientation, equipment setup, and handling patient belongings.
Make rounds at least every two hours to check patient comfort, positioning, call-light access, and room orderliness; respond promptly to call lights and anticipate patient needs.
Report pertinent patient information to the assigned nurse promptly and complete documentation before leaving the shift.
Obtain adequate laboratory specimens and perform bedside laboratory testing and associated quality control in compliance with provider orders and hospital procedures and policies.
Organize and prioritize assigned work, complete tasks within the shift, conserve supplies and linen, and assist colleagues with assignments as needed.
Maintain a neat, safe patient environment and perform assigned unit-maintenance duties, including cleaning, stocking, chart preparation, and distributing supplies and equipment.
Support patient safety through appropriate use of lift equipment, transfers, side rails, bed checks, call lights, gait belts, slide boards, restraints, protective equipment, and safe body mechanics.
Report unsafe equipment or risky situations promptly and follow handwashing and other applicable safety policies.
Print, file, post, and update unit documents and information, including census reports, assignments, patient signs, charts, and admission packets.
Update bed-management information for admissions and discharges; assign staff phones; coordinate with the call-light system; print labels; and use and troubleshoot fax machines and printers.
Greet and assist visitors, physicians, patients, and team members; answer and direct telephone calls professionally; and channel information accurately and appropriately.
Adapt to changing conditions and workload, including urgent requests and staffing needs, and maintain positive working relationships across shifts and departments.
Attend educational offerings, unit and housewide meetings, and committees; participate in peer evaluation and quality-improvement efforts.
Explain procedures to patients and families within the nursing-assistant scope and respect patient and family privacy.