NURSING ASSISTANT/PATIENT CARE TECHNICIAN - CARDIOVASCULAR SERVICES 2AB

Independence Health System•Greensburg, PA

About The Position

The Technical Partner provides direct and indirect patient care under the direction of an RN or LPN. The position supports patients with care needs and activities of daily living, collects and reports patient-care information, responds to patients and families, and helps maintain a safe, clean, and well-supplied care environment. The role may involve a range of patient-care skills, including vital signs, glucose testing, telemetry leads, EKGs, specimen handling, catheter and ostomy care, and other tasks as assigned and directed. The Technical Partner collaborates with nursing and other health care providers, contributes to patient education and unit performance improvement, supports regulatory compliance and infection prevention, and may coach or mentor new hires and students. Scheduling is based on operational need and may include rotating shifts, standby, and on-call assignments. Local travel between Independence Health locations may be expected.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or higher education.
Completion of a Nurse Aide or comparable program, such as EMT, Medical Assistant, nursing student with at least one semester of clinical experience, or the IH Technical Partner Training Program; alternatively, prior experience in a related field.
Sound judgment and problem-solving skills.
Strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to follow directions from other team members while working independently on assigned duties.
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, and Act 73 FBI clearance with renewal.
A Technical Partner refresher training class may be required if the employee has not worked in an acute-care setting and/or long-term care facility for the past three to five years.

Nice To Haves

Nurse Aide certification.
Patient-care experience.
Computer skills, phlebotomy, or EKG experience.
Current nursing student with clinical experience.

Responsibilities

Deliver direct and indirect patient care in accordance with hospital policies, procedures, protocols, and standards of care.
Perform or assist with patient-care needs as directed, including activities of daily living.
Respond promptly to patient and family call lights, inquiries, and requests, and make regular rounds to address patient needs and the physical environment.
Collect, document, and report patient-care data as directed, including intake and output, drainage, and daily weights when indicated.
Obtain patient-care equipment and other resources as directed, transport patients, and maintain sufficient supplies on the assigned unit.
Perform applicable patient-care skills as directed, such as obtaining vital signs, applying heating pads and antiembolic hose, setting up suction equipment, using E cylinders, applying Sequential Compression Devices, performing blood glucose testing, ostomy care, simple dressing changes, telemetry lead application, bladder scanning, preventative skin care, pulse oximetry, urinary catheter care, EKGs, and oral pharyngeal suctioning.
Perform other assigned support tasks, including transporting blood and blood products, delivering specimens to the lab, preparing isolation supplies, maintaining specialty carts and supplies, stocking warmers, and decluttering patient rooms and storage areas.
Assist with the educational process to promote and maintain health, foster self-care, and improve outcomes; report information about patient readiness to learn to the RN or LPN.
Maintain collaborative relationships with health care providers to support desired outcomes and continuity of patient care.
Communicate actual or potential patient problems to the professional or practical nurse and share pertinent information during shift reports and internal or external transfers.
Participate in unit performance-improvement activities, assist with data collection, and recommend performance-improvement modifications.
Demonstrate leadership and critical-thinking skills, seek supervisor assistance when appropriate, remain accountable for actions, function as a resource, advocate for patients, and serve as a preceptor or mentor to new hires or students.
Assist with cost control, regulatory compliance, survey readiness, infection control, monitoring sterile-supply expiration dates, and maintaining a safe and clean environment.
Use two forms of patient identification before providing care and support limited restraint use in accordance with standards and documentation policies.
Assume the appropriate code-team role during codes or mock codes and respond effectively to emergencies, including internal and external disasters.
Collect, identify, label, and deliver specimens, including diagnostic studies, to the appropriate department.
Perform other duties as assigned.