Nursing Assistant - Intermediate Care Unit (Harrisburg Hospital)

UPMC•Harrisburg, PA

About The Position

The Nursing Assistant provides direct patient care as directed by the RN, supporting activities of daily living, patient safety, comfort, and recovery. The role performs nursing-assistant core responsibilities and unit-specific tasks, including point-of-care testing, blood glucose checks, vital signs, weights, intake and output, specimen collection, Foley care, telemetry monitor application or reapplication, restraint placement and removal, and intra-hospital transportation using the ticket-to-ride process. The Nursing Assistant helps maintain a safe, clean, and organized care environment; assists with supplies and equipment; supports universal unit activities; and completes documentation and clerical tasks as needed. The role communicates changes in patient status to the RN, responds to emergent situations within the scope of the position, and may provide one-on-one patient companionship or supervision. The position also requires constructive participation in learning and performance improvement, clear communication, accountability, and productive working relationships.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Successful completion of the UPMC nursing assistant training program.
Knowledge of body mechanics and transfer techniques.
CPR certification meeting AHA standards, including didactic and skills demonstration components, within 30 days of hire.
Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
Act 34 clearance.
Work permit required if under 18 years of age.

Nice To Haves

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Perform nursing-assistant core duties, including blood glucose testing, weights, vital signs, intake and output, specimen collection, and Foley care.
Provide direct patient care as directed by the RN, including bathing, feeding, transporting, toileting, ambulating, turning, and repositioning patients.
Apply, monitor, and remove patient restraints according to physician or hospital protocol; provide diversional activities to reduce or prevent restraint use.
Apply or reapply telemetry monitors and perform point-of-care testing and other assigned patient-safety tasks, including HAC and patient safety indicator prevention.
Report changes in patient status to the RN and provide feedback regarding patient care.
Maintain a safe, clean, and organized environment by completing safety checks, cleaning department-specific equipment, changing bed linens, emptying linen hampers, keeping hallways clear, and returning equipment.
Acquire and distribute supplies and equipment, perform messenger functions, order or charge/credit supplies, set up patient-care equipment within role scope, and stock patient rooms and unit supply areas.
Deliver patient nourishments, fill water pitchers, distribute patient mail, respond to call lights and telephones, pass meal trays, and transport patients.
Report equipment malfunctions to the appropriate department.
Document in the medical record according to established procedures and complete clerical functions as needed.
Comply with safety policies and procedures, including standard precautions and procedures for blood-borne pathogen exposure.
Limit medication access to distributing medication to the nurse.
Respond to emergent situations within the scope of the nursing assistant role and provide one-on-one companionship or supervision when required.
Receive feedback and direction constructively; identify and communicate learning needs; take action to improve knowledge, skills, and performance; request assistance with planning and prioritizing; and participate in self-review as requested.
Communicate clearly with the health care team; demonstrate understanding of cultural diversity, horizontal violence, and impairment in the health professions; and support workplace safety.
Develop productive working relationships by demonstrating accountability, enthusiasm, motivation, and commitment to patients and colleagues.
Suggest and support departmental changes, take responsibility for assignments, view problems as challenges, and remain aware of how behavior affects department efficiency.
Strictly adhere to policies and practices concerning patient care and hospital-related information.