Unit Assistant UA - Emergency Department ED - FT Days

Northeast Georgia Medical Center•Gainesville, GA

About The Position

The Unit Assistant provides a wide variety of support services for assigned units, including clerical support with patient records, unit supplies, and equipment, and facilitating communications. The position performs patient care within the defined scope of practice and interacts with patients, the public, and employees throughout the institution. It functions under the direction of a registered professional nurse and works collaboratively with the healthcare team. The role cares for adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients and follows population-specific guidelines and National Patient Safety Goals.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or high school transcript showing completion of at least the sophomore level of high school.
No previous experience is required.
Ability to work effectively with other departments and the general public.
Ability to accept direction from nursing staff and perform basic skills and procedures designated for Unit Assistants.
Ability to operate the electronic medical record.
Good interpersonal skills and adaptability to changing situations and work assignments.
Ability to concentrate during multiple interactions and interruptions.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including lifting up to 50 pounds frequently, carrying up to 20 pounds frequently, and pushing or pulling frequently.
Ability to perform job tasks involving reading, writing, reasoning, talking, and keyboarding.

Nice To Haves

Typing skills are preferred but not required.
Candidates who have not completed the Foundations of Nursing course (RN students only), have less than six months of PCT experience within the past two years, or do not hold a current and active CNA certification will be enrolled in NGHS’s in-house PCT Academy.

Responsibilities

Obtain and report basic patient physiological data, including vital signs, weight, skin condition, and the color and character of urine and stool.
Assist with positioning, mobility, hygiene, activities of daily living, and comfort needs using proper body mechanics and following procedures and direction.
Monitor and document fluid intake and output.
Promptly identify and report changes in patients’ physical or mental status to licensed staff.
Organize patient care, prioritize tasks, and implement physician and nursing orders within prescribed time frames.
Perform therapeutic procedures within the role’s parameters and report patients’ responses to the supervising nurse.
Make frequent rounds, respond to patient call lights, and take appropriate action.
Explain procedures and care to patients before beginning.
Record patient data accurately and on time, and forward it to supervisory staff within established time frames.
Answer patient intercoms, direct requests to appropriate staff, fulfill requests defined by unit routine, and follow up with patients and families.
Make diet requests and notify the Dietary Department of changes.
Perform emergency procedures for codes, fires, or disasters according to policy.
Print transport Ticket to Ride forms, enter patient discharge times in the Electronic Medical Record, and check discharged charts for completeness before sending them to Medical Records.
Support patient safety by using Universal Precautions, following hand hygiene policy, maintaining a safe patient environment, and obtaining and restocking isolation supplies.
Clean and document equipment cleaning, maintain properly functioning equipment, and promptly report equipment issues to the Charge Nurse.
Place storeroom supplies in designated areas, notify appropriate departments about needed repairs, and follow up on repair requests.
Distribute linen and ice, offer refreshments as permitted by patients’ diets, and perform patient transports as needed.
Prepare rooms for new admissions, including ensuring personal protective equipment and appropriate supplies and equipment are available.
Orient patients and their families or significant others to the unit and room, and greet them pleasantly.
Answer and screen telephone calls courteously and refer them appropriately.
Place reports in patient charts or ensure they are sent to appropriate units.
Maintain patient charts by thinning them, replenishing forms, and placing reports in appropriate locations.
Recommend equipment or supply purchases to the unit Director and complete daily or weekly requisitions to reflect unit needs.
Record refrigerator temperatures daily and maintain printers by replacing ribbons, replenishing paper, and reporting problems to Information Systems.
Replace telemetry batteries, glove boxes, and wipes as needed.
Attend staff meetings with no more than two absences, read and respond to emails in a timely manner, and adapt scheduling to departmental staffing needs.
Complete unit-specific and annual competency assessments within required timelines.