Transporter Days

Trinity Health•MMCIA - MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center Central IA, IA

About The Position

Transports or escorts patients and families throughout the medical center to support timely testing, transfers between units, or discharge. The role is responsible for safe patient transport from pickup through delivery to the receiving department or discharge, and for transporting patient belongings, equipment, supplies, and medical records. The transporter uses appropriate equipment and safe techniques to move patients, assists with lifts and moves when requested, documents work activities, responds appropriately to requests, and reports pertinent information to clinical or testing personnel to promote patient safety. The position also provides directions and information to visitors, patients, and staff; cleans and stores equipment; maintains a clean, stocked, orderly physical environment; reports environmental and safety issues; and uses software, pagers, phones, and other resources appropriately to respond to service requests. The transporter must know the locations of departments, floors, and units throughout the facility and use time, supplies, and equipment efficiently. Basic wheelchair and cart maintenance, additional escort duties, and other assigned tasks may also be required. Employees must abide by and promote Mercy Medical Center’s mission and core values and comply with its standards, policies, procedures, and security requirements. The role has medium security access to confidential information and must follow applicable security policies. The work takes place in a hospital environment and may involve temperature extremes, exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials, required protective clothing, hazardous materials or equipment, and noise ranging from quiet to moderate. The position requires courtesy and cooperation, adaptability to people’s needs, and the ability to perform effectively in a stressful hospital environment.

Requirements

Must be at least 16 years of age.
Obtain Basic Life Support certification within six weeks of hire. Acceptable credentials include American Red Cross CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer or American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers.
Provide proof of completion of Mandatory Reporter abuse training specific to the population served within three months of hire.
Successfully complete transporter training and competencies.
Use a mechanical or assistive device and/or additional personnel when a patient cannot function independently; use additional equipment or personnel for objects requiring lifts over 50 pounds.
Ability to meet the role’s physical demands, including frequent standing, walking, reaching, and patient or object handling.
Ability to maintain courtesy and cooperation with coworkers, patients, and visitors and satisfactory performance in a stressful hospital environment.
Ability to adapt to attending to people’s needs or requests and to accept responsibility for planning and directing patient transfers.
Comply with Mercy Medical Center mission, values, conduct standards, policies, procedures, and security requirements.

Nice To Haves

Medical terminology preferred.
Healthcare experience preferred.
Basic computer skills preferred.

Responsibilities

Safely transport patients from pickup to the receiving department or discharge.
Prepare for and transport patients, patient belongings, equipment, supplies, and medical records between departments.
Transfer patients to and from carts, beds, and wheelchairs using safe techniques and appropriate equipment.
Assist Mercy staff with patient lifts and moves when requested.
Document work activities according to policy and procedure.
Respond appropriately to patient requests and follow applicable policies and procedures.
Observe and report pertinent patient and family information to clinical or testing personnel to promote patient safety, including IV pump alarms.
Provide information and directions to visitors, patients, and staff as needed.
Clean and properly store equipment.
Maintain a clean, well-stocked, and orderly physical environment.
Comply with OSHA/The Joint Commission, infection-control, and other applicable regulatory requirements and guidelines.
Report physical-environment and safety issues to the appropriate department or Safety Officer.
Use software, pagers, phone systems, and other resources appropriately and according to policy to respond to service requests in a timely manner.
Demonstrate knowledge of department, floor, and unit locations throughout the facility.
Use supplies, time, and equipment efficiently.
Perform basic maintenance of wheelchairs and carts.
Escort patients, families, or others to requested locations as needed.
Perform other tasks as assigned.