Patient Support Assistant

OhioHealth•Dublin, CA

About The Position

The Patient Support Assistant assists a Registered Nurse in providing direct care to multiple patients on an assigned nursing unit. The role supports patients with daily living activities, maintains a clean and safe care environment, and helps provide respectful, compassionate experiences for patients and families. The assistant may also support patient safety efforts, telemetry monitoring, transportation, and errands related to patient care. Under Registered Nurse direction, the assistant performs delegated basic nursing tasks that do not require nursing judgment, assessment, complex observation, or critical decisions. Duties may include waived point-of-care testing, specimen collection, nasogastric tube care, 12-lead EKGs, simple clean non-sterile dressing changes, and collection and documentation of patient measurements and observations. The role also assists visitors and staff, coordinates care using wireless devices and technology, and maintains supplies and equipment. Responsibilities may change, and other duties may be assigned by a supervisor.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Individuals aged 16–18 without a high school diploma or GED may be considered if they have an applicable work permit.
Ability to perform delegated basic nursing tasks as directed by a Registered Nurse.
Competence using portable technology and handheld wireless devices for measurement and documentation.

Responsibilities

Assist patients with activities of daily living, including bathing, grooming, eating, and walking.
Maintain cleanliness and safety of patient rooms, the unit, and equipment.
Assist patients, visitors, and nursing personnel on the assigned unit, and help other departments with patient care as needed.
Build respectful and compassionate relationships with patients and families to support the patient experience.
May serve as a patient safety champion and support adherence to safety guidelines.
May assist with telemetry cardiac monitoring, recognize life-threatening arrhythmias, and immediately notify an available licensed clinician.
May transport patients and run errands to pick up or deliver items for patient care.
Perform nursing tasks delegated by a Registered Nurse that do not require nursing judgment, assessment, complex observation, or critical decisions.
Perform basic nursing care tasks as directed, such as waived fingerstick glucose, urine dipstick and fecal occult testing; non-sterile specimen collection; nasogastric tube care; 12-lead EKGs; and simple clean non-sterile dressing changes.
Collect and document data such as height, weight, vital signs, intake, and output.
Use handheld wireless devices to measure and document intake and output, vital signs, and point-of-care testing results.
Report patient observations and concerns to the Registered Nurse.
Assist hospital visitors and staff with information needs.
May use wireless devices and technology for care coordination, scheduling, flowchart documentation, and nutrition service ordering.
May serve as a super user for nursing assistant information technology or preceptor for new nursing assistants.
Maintain supplies and equipment needed for patient care operations.
Secure and handle appropriate supplies, medications, and laboratory specimens transported to, from, and within the unit.
Perform other duties as requested by a supervisor, with a focus on safety, quality, and efficiency.