Nursing Assistant - Observation Unit

Advocate Health and Hospitals Corporation•Port Washington, WA

21h•Onsite

About The Position

The Nursing Assistant - Observation Unit assists the Registered Nurse (RN) with the daily care of patients. This includes tasks such as bathing, oral hygiene, feeding, assisting with activity orders, and ambulation. The role involves monitoring and documenting vital signs, temperature, pulse, respiration, intake and output, and daily weights. Accurate documentation in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) is essential. The Nursing Assistant performs purposeful rounding, promptly communicates patient and family observations and needs to the RN, and participates in patient admission, transfer, and discharge processes under RN supervision. They ensure patient call lights are within reach and answered promptly, collect specimens, and perform point-of-care testing. The position also involves maintaining stock for the nursing area, cleaning equipment, and performing patient positioning and transporting duties that require lifting and pushing/pulling. Nutritional support and skin integrity maintenance are also key responsibilities. Depending on unit requirements and RN direction, tasks may include IV removal, post-mortem care, and bladder scans. Adherence to infection prevention policies, including hand hygiene and aseptic procedures, is critical. The role requires demonstrating knowledge and skills for age-appropriate patient care, understanding growth and development principles, and assessing patient status based on age-specific needs.

Requirements

Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) needs to be obtained within 45 days, and Nurse Aide in good standing as indicated with the State Registry in which the team member practices.
Certificate of General Educational Development (GED) or High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED), or High School Graduate.
Basic computer skills.
Excellent oral and written communication.
Excellent organizational skills and ability to set priorities.
Must be able to sit, stand, walk, squat, bend, twist, and reach above shoulders during the work shift.
Must be able to: lift up to 50 lbs. from floor to waist.
Must be able to: lift up to 20 lbs. over the head.
Must be able to: carry up to 40 lbs. a reasonable distance.
Must be able to: push/pull with 30 lbs. of force.
Must be able to: perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs. with a second person present.
Will be required to use foot pedals on carts or machines.
Must have functional vision and hearing.
Will be exposed to mechanical, electrical, chemical, and radiation hazards as well as blood and body fluids on a continuous basis; therefore, protective clothing must be worn as necessary.
Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.

Nice To Haves

Team members will maintain annual educational requirements for hospital based certifications (e.g. DNV, CARF or others).

Responsibilities

Assists RN with daily care of patients including bathing, oral hygiene, feeding, activity orders and ambulation which may include use of therapeutic assistive devices, proper positioning, range of motion and special transferring as indicated.
Measures and documents blood pressures, TPRs (Temperature, Pulse, Respiration), I & O (Intake and Output), daily weights, and other patient data as requested.
Documents accurately in Electronic Medical Record (EMR).
Performs purposeful rounding under direction of RN and promptly communicates observations, concerns, and needs of patient/family to RN. Documents appropriately.
Participates in admission, transfer and discharge process under supervision of RN including room set up, orientation to room, removing linen, and proper management of patient belongings.
Ensures patient call light is always in reach of patient and answers call-lights promptly.
Collects urine, stool, and sputum specimens and performs point-of-care testing as indicated using approved process for accurate specimen labeling and identification.
Maintains competency as required.
Completes various errands as directed including pick-up and delivery of trays, charts, specimens, and reports.
Maintains and orders stock for nursing area.
Cleans equipment and work areas.
Performs various patient positioning and transporting duties which require lifting and pushing/pulling while utilizing proper technique and assistive devices.
Performs tasks related to nutritional needs of patient under direction of RN to include diet review, tray set up/removal, proper positioning and diet selection.
Performs tasks related to maintaining skin integrity to include proper repositioning and skin care.
Ensures special patient supplies and appliances are provided and maintained such as TED hose and sequential compression devices.
Under the direction of RN and as determined by site/unit requirements, may be required to remove IVs, provide post mortem care, and bladder scans.
Practices within policies and procedures of infection prevention by demonstrating hand hygiene and knowledge of sterile and aseptic procedures, proper disposal of contaminated materials and utilizing proper attire when in direct contact with patients in isolation.
Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served.
Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures.

Benefits

Comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs
Competitive compensation
Generous retirement offerings
Programs that invest in your career development
Paid Time Off programs
Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave
Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
Educational Assistance Program