Patient Care Support Asst

Covenant Health•Knoxville, TN

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Support Assistant provides direct support for patient care under the supervision of a nurse, performing hands-on care, activities of daily living, and specified technical tasks. Duties may support Medical Surgical and Emergency Room patients and include patient care, housekeeping, health unit coordination, sitter duties, and patient transport. The position is PRN/OCC, with variable hours per pay period on the day shift at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center. In the Emergency Department, the assistant functions as a specialized direct patient caregiver, promptly updating the ED tracking board, assisting with triage vital signs, and completing applicable activities on the daily technician checklist. Sitter assignments involve remaining with a patient for a designated period to help maintain safety. Environmental services duties include cleaning assigned areas, handling waste and linens, and monitoring supplies and equipment. Transport duties include moving patients using appropriate equipment and precautions. This role is described as an internship for high school students age 16 or older who are enrolled in healthcare courses and intend to pursue a healthcare career. Eligibility continues until July 15 of the year of high school graduation; those who are 17 at graduation may remain in the role until their 18th birthday. No education or licensure is specified. Candidates must complete Covenant’s orientation and in-house Nursing Assistant training before working with patients.

Requirements

Be at least 16 years old, enrolled in healthcare courses, and intending to pursue a career in healthcare.
Remain eligible until July 15 of the year of high school graduation; individuals who are 17 at graduation may remain in the role until their 18th birthday.
Be able to operate a computer and have excellent interpersonal skills.
Be able to read with comprehension, write legibly, and perform basic arithmetic computations.
Successfully complete Covenant’s orientation and in-house Nursing Assistant training program before working with patients.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of medical terminology.

Responsibilities

Provide morning or evening supportive care, including bathing, oral hygiene, grooming, dressing, changing linens, and tidying patient areas.
Measure and record vital signs, oxygen saturation, height, weight, and intake and output.
Document and maintain patient records as appropriate.
Respond promptly to call lights and patient requests, and follow up in a timely manner.
Answer telephones and intercoms, and relay and document messages.
Assist patients with ambulation, transfers, positioning, turning, and transport, including transport while using oxygen when required.
Use the patient flow board to monitor assignments.
Report observed changes in patient condition to a nurse or provider.
Assist with nutrition, including distributing meal trays, feeding patients, and providing water pitchers.
Maintain clean and orderly patient and work environments and communicate with patients, families, physicians, peers, and leadership.
Encourage patients to turn, cough, and take deep breaths as specified in the plan of care.
Empty canisters, urine bags, bedpans, and emesis basins, and record intake and output.
Assist patients with bedpans, urinals, or commodes.
Perform EKGs after receiving special training.
Check equipment for proper function, report equipment problems, handle linens appropriately, and store supplies safely.
Gather and check oxygen equipment, including connections and placement; set up and check suction equipment.
Order and restock patient-care supplies in rooms, carts, and other areas.
Demonstrate competency in age-specific care and assigned skills on the Nursing Assistant checklist.
Follow infection-control policies, standard and transmission-based precautions, OSHA standards, safety measures, proper body mechanics, and other policies and procedures.
Complete required annual education, work toward goals and objectives, and participate in quality-improvement initiatives as requested.
Perform required safety protocols, including patient identification, isolation procedures, and equipment maintenance and cleaning.
In Emergency Department assignments, promptly enter and update the ED tracking board, assist with triage vital signs, and complete applicable daily technician checklist activities.
For sitter assignments, remain with designated patients to help maintain safety.
For environmental services assignments, clean assigned areas and emergency spills, inspect equipment and areas, report repair needs, remove and appropriately contain waste and soiled linens, clean and reline trash cans when requested, handle biohazardous waste properly, monitor supplies, and notify a supervisor when additional supplies are needed.
For transport assignments, transport patients using appropriate oxygen, isolation precautions, CPR, lifting and transfer techniques, and equipment such as wheelchairs, stretchers, and beds.
Perform other duties as assigned.