NURSING ASSISTANT/PATIENT CARE TECHNICIAN - STAFFING SUPPORT TEAM - CASUAL

Independence Health System•Latrobe, PA

81d

About The Position

The Nursing Assistant/Patient Care Technician on the Staffing Support Team provides direct and indirect patient care in accordance with hospital policies, procedures, protocols, and standards of care. The role assists patients with activities of daily living, responds to patient and family requests, collects and reports care information, supports patient safety, and helps maintain a clean and adequately supplied care environment. Depending on direction and assignment, duties may include a range of patient-care skills, specimen handling, equipment setup, and unit supply tasks. The position collaborates with nurses and other health care providers, communicates relevant patient information, supports patient education, and contributes to quality improvement and regulatory readiness. It may also serve as a resource and mentor for colleagues, without direct supervisory responsibilities. Scheduling is based on operational needs and may involve rotating shifts, standby, or on-call arrangements. Local travel between Independence Health locations may be expected.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or higher level of education.
Sound judgment, problem-solving skills, and strong oral and written communication skills.
Ability to follow directions from other team members and work independently on assigned duties.
Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through an American Heart Association-approved CPR and AED curriculum, or ability to obtain it within five days of hire.
Act 33 clearance with renewal.
Act 34 clearance with renewal.
Act 73 FBI clearance with renewal.

Nice To Haves

Completion of a Nurse Aide or comparable program, such as EMT or Medical Assistant training, nursing-student status with at least one semester of clinical experience, or prior experience in a related field.
Computer skills.
Phlebotomy experience.
EKG experience.

Responsibilities

Deliver direct and indirect patient care in accordance with hospital policies, procedures, protocols, and standards of care.
Assist with patient-care needs and activities of daily living as directed; respond promptly to call lights and patient or family requests.
Collect, document, and report patient-care data; measure and document intake and output, obtain daily weights when indicated, and report relevant information to nursing staff.
Obtain patient-care equipment and resources as directed and transport patients as directed.
Perform assigned skills as directed, which may include obtaining vital signs, blood glucose testing, EKGs, applying telemetry leads and pulse oximetry, bladder scanning, urinary catheter and ostomy care, simple dressing changes, preventative skin care, suctioning, and setting up suction equipment.
Perform assigned equipment and supply tasks, which may include applying heating pads, antiembolic hose, or Sequential Compression Devices; using E cylinders; maintaining linens and supplies; stocking warmers; and maintaining specialty carts and isolation supplies.
Make regular purposeful hourly rounds to address patient needs and the physical environment.
Assist with patient education and report information about patients' readiness to learn to the RN/LPN.
Maintain collaborative relationships with health care providers to support patient outcomes and continuity of care.
Communicate actual or potential problems to professional or practical nurses and provide pertinent information during shift reports and transfers.
Participate in unit performance-improvement activities, assist with data collection, and recommend performance-improvement modifications.
Demonstrate leadership, critical thinking, accountability, problem solving, and appropriate use of supervisory assistance; function as a resource and patient advocate.
Serve as a preceptor or mentor to new hires and/or students as appropriate.
Assist with cost control, regulatory compliance, survey readiness, infection prevention, and maintaining sufficient and properly managed supplies.
Support patient safety, use two forms of patient identification before care, and assume an appropriate code-team role during codes or mock codes.
Respond effectively to emergencies, including internal and external disasters.
Maintain a safe and clean environment for patients, visitors, and staff.
Collect, identify, label, and deliver specimens, including diagnostic studies, to the appropriate department; assigned tasks may include delivering blood and blood products from the blood bank and specimens to the laboratory.
Support limited restraint use in accordance with standards and document according to policy.
Perform other duties as assigned.