Nursing Assistant - Post Surgery Unit (Harrisburg Hospital)

UPMC • Harrisburg, PA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

This position provides patient care, including assisting with patient procedures and activities of daily living. The Nursing Assistant will also assist with physical, respiratory, and cardiopulmonary therapies, and provide feedback to the Registered Nurse (RN) regarding patient care and changes in patient status. The role involves performing core nursing assistant responsibilities such as blood glucose monitoring, taking weights, vital signs, intake and output measurements, specimen collections, and Foley care. Additionally, the position requires performing at least four of the following tasks: phlebotomy, 12-lead EKG, simple dressing changes, Foley catheter removal, point-of-care testing, bladder scan, straight catheterization, or IV catheter removal. The Nursing Assistant is responsible for ensuring equipment malfunctions are reported, establishing effective communication with other departments, and maintaining professional relationships. They will contribute to unit activities such as responding to call lights, answering telephones, passing meal trays, and transporting patients. The role also includes receiving feedback constructively, identifying learning needs, and taking action to improve performance. The Nursing Assistant may provide patient and family instruction under the direction of the RN and may apply, monitor, and remove patient restraints as per protocol. They must demonstrate clear and effective communication, understand cultural diversity, and support safety in the workplace. The position requires developing productive working relationships, adhering strictly to policies and procedures, and complying with safety protocols. The Nursing Assistant is expected to suggest and support departmental changes, view problems as challenges, and support quality initiatives. Documentation in the medical record and timely completion of assigned work are essential. Core competencies include ADLs (bathing, feeding, transporting, toileting, ambulating, turning, and repositioning patients), point-of-care testing, weights, vital signs, I&O, telemetry monitor application/reapplication, hospital-acquired condition & patient safety indicators, simple dressings, restraint application/removal, bladder scans, all specimen collections, and ticket to ride (intra-hospital patient transportation). Advanced skills may include phlebotomy/venipuncture, peripheral IV removal, indwelling Foley catheter removal, basic arrhythmia interpretation, 12-lead EKG, and NG tube clamping and removal, based on department needs.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Must have either: a) 1 Year of general healthcare experience, OR b) 6 months of experience as UPMC Nursing Assistant/CNA with PCT competency achieved within 120 days of hire/transfer/promotion for those with less than 1 year of experience, OR c) enrollment in PT/OT/PA program or related healthcare training program with completion of at least one clinical rotation, OR d) completion of a bachelor’s degree in a health sciences field.
• Successful completion of UPMC patient care technician class.
• Successful completion of eRecord training.
• CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
• Act 34.

Nice To Haves

• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic or currently enrolled in an EMT or Paramedic program.
• ACLS preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides patient care including assisting with patient procedures and activities of daily living.
• Assists with physical, respiratory and cardiopulmonary therapies.
• Provides feedback to the RN regarding patient care and reports changes in patient status.
• Performs UPMC nursing core nursing assistant responsibilities (blood glucose, weights, vital signs, I&O, specimen collections and Foley care).
• Performs at least four of the following BU identified tasks: phlebotomy, 12 lead EKG, simple dressing, Foley catheter removal, point of care testing, bladder scan, straight catheter, or IV catheter removal.
• Assures equipment malfunctions are reported to the appropriate department.
• Establishes appropriate and effective communication with other departments.
• Establishes professional and respectful interpersonal relationships.
• Contributes to the universal unit activities including, but not limited to, responding to call lights and telephones, passing meal trays and transporting patients.
• Constructively receives feedback and direction.
• Identifies and communicates learning needs to the unit director.
• Takes action to improve knowledge, skills and performance.
• Requests assistance in planning and prioritizing activities as needed.
• Participates in self-review as requested by the unit director.
• Provides instruction to patients and their families under the direction of the RN.
• May apply, monitor and remove patient restraints as per physician or hospital protocol.
• Demonstrates the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with all members of the health care team.
• Demonstrate understanding of cultural diversity, horizontal violence and impairment in the health professions.
• Cares for patients and self by supporting safety in the workplace.
• Develops and maintains productive working relationships internally and externally by demonstrating accountability for actions, enthusiasm, motivation and commitment to patients and colleagues.
• Strictly adheres to all policies and procedures relative to patient care and hospital related information.
• Complies with safety policies and procedures including standard precautions.
• Suggests and supports changes within the department.
• Assumes responsibility for assignment and views problems as challenges.
• Demonstrates awareness of behavior on the efficient functioning of the department.
• Supports department based projects and quality initiatives.
• Documents in the medical record according to established procedures.
• Performs assigned work in a timely and productive manner.
• Completes department clerical functions as needed.
• Routinely performs and is fully competent with UPMC nursing core assistant responsibilities including ADLs (bathing, feeding, transporting, toileting, ambulating, turning and repositioning patients.) PLUS point of care testing (inc. blood glucose), weights, vital signs, I&O, telemetry monitor application/reapplication, hospital-acquired condition & patient safety indicator.
• Performs simple dressings, placement and removal of restraints, bladder scan, all specimen collections and ticket to ride (intra-hospital patient transportation).
• Achieves and maintains competency and/or performs at least 1 or more of the following advanced skills based on department operational need: phlebotomy/venipuncture, peripheral IV removal, indwelling Foley catheter removal, basic arrythmia, 12-lead EKG, and NG tubes clamping and removal.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED