Student Nursing Assistant

Boston Medical Center•Brockton, MA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Works under the direction and general supervision of a Nurse Director/Manager, Charge Nurse, or Registered Nurse, following hospital policies and procedures. Provides delegated routine patient-care interventions and support to patients and families, including assistance with communication, comfort, safety, documentation, and treatments across the health care continuum. Collaborates with the RN throughout the shift to prioritize assignments, report task completion and patient findings, and promptly communicate changes in patient condition or monitoring alarms. The role includes collecting and documenting patient data; assisting with hygiene, skin care, meals, mobility, treatments, and preoperative care; performing basic patient tests; collecting and transporting specimens; responding to call lights and emergencies; and supporting patient and family information needs. The Student Nursing Assistant also helps maintain a safe, clean, appropriately equipped care environment, works cooperatively with staff, maintains required competencies and education records, and adapts to changing unit needs. This is a per-diem position in the Med Surg Unit 9-2A. Compensation is listed as $16.66–$24.77. The posting describes a total compensation package that may include medical, dental, vision, and pharmacy benefits; contract increases; Flexible Spending Accounts; 403(b) savings matches; earned-time cash out; paid time off; career advancement opportunities; and resources supporting employee and family wellbeing.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet one of the following education pathways: completion of specialized medical training, such as a Medical Assistant program, from an accredited institution; or current enrollment in an accredited nursing program with successful completion of Fundamentals of Nursing and at least one semester of nursing skills lab or simulation.
Current CPR and Basic Life Support (BLS) certifications.
At least one year of recent CNA experience, or nursing-student status with at least one semester of nursing skills lab or simulation completed.
Ability to effectively speak, read, and write English.
Ability to perform basic math and quantitative measurements, such as obtaining height and weight, measuring abdominal girths and urine output, and calculating calorie counts.
Ability to interpret and use basic medical terminology and abbreviations accurately.
Ability to enter and retrieve computerized information and data.
Ability to pass clinical competency testing and basic math and abbreviation tests.
Physical ability to push, transfer, and pull heavy loads, including independently transporting an average-sized patient by wheelchair or stretcher throughout the assigned shift.
Physical ability to meet core job requirements in accordance with the demands of the practice setting and patient populations served.
Effective interpersonal skills for interacting appropriately with nursing staff, patients, families and visitors, physicians, and other hospital staff.
Organizational skills to set priorities and efficiently complete assigned work.
Ability to manage stress related to patient care, changing organizational conditions, and personnel issues.

Nice To Haves

Multilingual skills beyond English in languages appropriate to the patient populations served by the Medical Center.

Responsibilities

Perform appropriately delegated patient-care interventions under the direction of an RN and collaborate with the RN to determine work assignments and priorities.
Communicate task completion, patient data findings, changes in patient condition, and monitoring alarms to the RN; immediately report significant changes or emergencies.
Identify self as a nursing student to patients, visitors, and staff, and wear the appropriate identifying badge.
Collect and accurately document patient data, including vital signs, intake and output, blood sugar, weights, and restraint care or monitoring, in accordance with hospital standards.
Respond promptly to call lights and make routine room rounds to address patient needs.
Provide or assist with patient hygiene and basic skin care, including bathing, oral and perineal care, catheter and ostomy care, turning and repositioning, and application of stockings or wraps.
Set up patients for meals, assist with feeding, maintain calorie counts, and record intake and output.
Assist nurses and health team members with treatments and procedures, including basic preoperative care and preparation for the Operating Room.
Collect, label, and send or transport specimens with appropriate laboratory requisitions.
Assist with safe patient ambulation and use safety devices, hydraulic lifts, or bed scales as needed.
Identify emergency or crisis situations and initiate the appropriate response as directed, notifying the RN immediately.
Perform basic patient testing such as EKGs, phlebotomy, glucose finger sticks, oxygen saturation, and other listed tests.
Maintain competence in additional technical skills as assigned, which may include PD cycler setup, cast or splint care, external monitor application, GU irrigation setup, chest tube setup, arterial line setup, basic ostomy care, and quad coughing.
Provide non-clinical information and comfort support to patients and families; orient them to the hospital and unit, help keep personal-care items accessible, distribute mail and nourishment, change linens and clothing, and complete errands as assigned.
Answer the telephone, identify the unit and role, respond within the role’s scope, and deliver messages promptly.
Work cooperatively with staff, address interpersonal conflicts appropriately, seek assistance when needed, and participate in staff meetings and in-services.
Read and review unit minutes and clinical updates, maintain an accurate Healthstream education record, and maintain required competencies.
Follow practice standards, policies, procedures, protocols, guidelines, and applicable regulations; comply with dress-code and identification requirements.
Adapt to changing patient and unit needs, including assisting other team members, floating, and adjusting assignments as needed; coordinate breaks with the charge nurse or supervisor.
Maintain visibility on the unit and notify the charge nurse or staff nurse before leaving the work area.
Provide respectful, nonjudgmental, nondiscriminatory care and protect patient, employee, and hospital confidentiality.
Maintain a safe, clean, and appropriately equipped environment, including spot and spill cleaning; help locate and transport equipment for sonic cleaning; remove broken or expired items from service and notify nursing staff; and deliver equipment for repair as requested.