Patient Support Assistant

OhioHealth•Columbus, OH

About The Position

Assist a Registered Nurse in providing direct patient care to multiple patients on a designated nursing unit. The role supports activities of daily living, patient safety, room and unit cleanliness, basic delegated nursing care, data collection and documentation, and the information and supply needs of patients, visitors, and staff. Responsibilities may also include telemetry monitoring, patient transport, coordination using wireless technology, and supporting or training other nursing assistants. Associates are expected to perform other duties as requested by a supervisor; duties may change and the listed responsibilities are not exhaustive.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED, subject to the stated exceptions for certain 16- to 18-year-old individuals.
Ability to perform the described patient-care duties delegated by a Registered Nurse.

Responsibilities

Perform or assist patients with activities of daily living, including bathing, grooming, eating, and walking.
Maintain cleanliness and safety in 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.
Develop respectful and compassionate relationships with patients and families to support a positive patient experience.
May serve as a patient safety champion and promote shared responsibility for safety guidelines among licensed and unlicensed caregivers.
May assist with telemetry cardiac monitoring, recognize life-threatening arrhythmias, and communicate them immediately to 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 can be completed safely without nursing judgment, assessment, complex observation, or critical decisions.
Perform basic nursing care duties as directed by the RN, including waived testing, fingerstick glucose, urine dipstick, occult fecal 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.
Report patient observations and concerns to the Registered Nurse.
Assist hospital visitors and staff with information needs.
May use wireless devices and technology for healthcare coordination, including scheduling, flowchart documentation, and nutrition service ordering.
May serve as a super user for nursing assistant information technology and/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 the supervisor, with focus on safety, quality, and efficiency.