NURSING ASSISTANT/TECH PARTNER - ICU

Independence Health System•Greensburg, PA

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Technical Partner provides direct and indirect patient care under the direction of the RN or LPN. This role involves delivering direct and indirect patient care in accordance with hospital policies, procedures, protocols and standards of care. Responsibilities include performing and/or assisting with patient care needs, assisting patients with activities of daily living, and responding to call lights, inquiries, and requests from patients and families in a timely manner. The Technical Partner will collect, document, and report ongoing patient care data, measure and/or document intake and output, and obtain individual patient care equipment as directed. They will also transport patients as directed and may perform various clinical skills such as obtaining vital signs, applying heating pads, setting up suction equipment, utilizing E cylinders, applying antiembolic hose, aseptic techniques, distributing and maintaining linens, applying Sequential Compression Devices, performing blood glucose testing, ostomy care, simple dressing changes, applying telemetry leads, bladder scanning, and preventative skin care. Additionally, the role includes applying pulse oximetry, urinary catheter care, transporting blood and blood products, performing EKGs, oral pharyngeal suctioning, placing patients in CPM machines, preparing and maintaining isolation boxes, decluttering patient rooms, delivering specimens, crutch measurement and teaching, maintenance of specialty carts, supply inventory, stocking warmers, making regular rounds for patient needs, assisting in patient education, obtaining resources, reporting patient readiness to learn, and maintaining collaborative relationships with other healthcare providers. The Technical Partner will communicate pertinent information regarding actual/potential problems, participate in unit performance improvement activities, assist in data collection, recommend modifications for performance improvement, demonstrate leadership, solve problems using critical thinking, maintain accountability, function as a resource, act as a patient advocate, and potentially serve as a preceptor/mentor. The role also involves assisting in cost reduction, ensuring compliance with regulatory agencies, assisting with survey readiness, adhering to infection control processes, maintaining supplies, monitoring sterile supplies, providing for patient safety, utilizing patient identification, assuming code team roles, responding to emergencies, maintaining a safe environment, completing specimen collection and delivery, supporting limited use of restraints, and performing other assigned duties.

Requirements

High School Diploma, GED or higher level of education.
Sound judgment, problem solving skills, strong oral and written communication skills, ability to follow directions from other team members; works independently assigned duties.
Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Deliver direct and indirect patient care in accordance with hospital policies, procedures, protocols and standards of care.
Perform and/or assist with patient care needs as directed and assists patient with activities of daily living.
Respond to call lights, inquiries and requests from patients and families in a timely manner.
Collect, document and report ongoing patient care data as directed.
Measure and/or document intake and output, including drainage and obtains daily weights when indicated.
Obtain individual patient care equipment as directed.
Transport patients as directed.
Make regular rounds to address patient needs and physical environment - purposeful hourly rounding.
Assist in the educational process to promote and maintain health, foster self-care, and improve outcomes.
Obtain resources as needed.
Report to the RN/LPN information regarding the patient's readiness to learn.
Maintain a collaborative relationship with other health care providers to achieve desired outcomes and assure continuous flow of patient care.
Communicate pertinent information of actual/potential problems to the professional/practical nurse.
Communicate pertinent information at shift reports and during internal and external transfers.
Participate in the unit performance improvement activities designed to enhance the quality of patient care and customer services.
Assist in data collection process as requested.
Recommend modifications for performance improvement.
Demonstrate leadership by utilizing the behaviors inherent to the role of the technical partner.
Demonstrate an ability to solve problems utilizing critical thinking skills and seeks assistance from immediate supervisor when appropriate.
Maintain accountability for actions taken.
Effectively function as a resource person.
Act as a patient advocate.
Perform effectively in the role of preceptor/mentor to new hires and/or students.
Assist in maintaining/decreasing organizational/departmental costs.
Assist in the department's compliance with state, Joint Commission, OSHA and other regulatory agencies.
Assist in continuous survey readiness for inspections and surveys.
Adhere to the infection control process, including standard precautions, to reduce the risk of acquiring or transmitting infections.
Assist with maintaining sufficient and proper supplies on an assigned unit.
Assist with monitoring sterile supplies for expiration date and replaces as needed.
Provide for patient safety in compliance with hospital and nursing department policies.
Utilize two forms of patient identification before implementing any form of patient care.
Assume appropriate code team role during code situations or mock codes.
Respond effectively during emergency situations, including internal and external disasters.
Assist in maintaining a safe and clean environment for patients, visitors and staff.
Complete proper collection, identification, labeling and delivery of specimens (including diagnostic studies) to the appropriate department.
Support limited use of restraints in accordance with established standards and documents according to policies.
Other duties as assigned.