Unit Assistant - Discharge Lounge - M - F - Days

Northeast Georgia Health System•Gainesville, GA

About The Position

The Unit Assistant provides a wide variety of support services for assigned units, including clerical support by maintaining patient records, unit supplies, and equipment and facilitating communication. The role also performs patient care within the defined scope of practice and interacts with patients, the public, and employees throughout the institution. The Unit Assistant works under the direction of a registered professional nurse and collaboratively with the healthcare team. This position cares for adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients and follows population-specific guidelines and National Patient Safety Goals as outlined in policies and procedures. The position is in the Discharge Lounge and is listed for Monday through Friday on days, with an eight-hour morning-to-afternoon work shift. No previous experience is required. Candidates who have not completed the specified preparation or do not have qualifying recent PCT experience or active CNA certification will be enrolled in NGHS’s in-house PCT Academy.

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.
Candidates who have not successfully 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 the NGHS PCT Academy.
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.
Good interpersonal skills and adaptability in changing situations and work assignments.
Ability to concentrate during multiple interactions and interruptions.
Ability to read, write, reason, talk, and use a keyboard.

Nice To Haves

Typing skills are preferred but not required.
Ability to operate the electronic medical record (EMR).

Responsibilities

Obtain and report basic patient physiological data, including vital signs, weight, skin condition, and the color and character of urine and stool.
Use proper body mechanics and assist with positioning, mobility, hygiene, activities of daily living, and comfort needs according to procedure and direction.
Monitor and document fluid intake and output.
Promptly identify and report physical or mental status changes to the licensed staff assigned to the patient.
Organize patient care, prioritize appropriately, and implement physician and nursing orders within prescribed time frames.
Perform therapeutic procedures within the parameters of the job description and report the patient's response to the supervising nurse.
Make frequent patient-room rounds, respond to call lights, take appropriate action, and explain procedures or care to patients before beginning.
Accurately and promptly record patient data and forward it to supervisory staff within established time frames.
Answer patient intercoms, route requests to appropriate staff, fulfill requests as defined by unit routine, and follow up with patients or families.
Make necessary diet requests and notify the Dietary Department of changes.
Perform emergency procedures, including CODE, fire, or disaster procedures, according to policy.
Print Ticket to Ride forms for transports, enter patient discharge times in the Electronic Medical Record, and ensure discharged patient charts are complete before sending them to Medical Records.
Support patient safety by using Universal Precautions, following hand hygiene policy, maintaining a safe environment, obtaining and restocking isolation supplies, cleaning equipment, and promptly reporting equipment issues to the Charge Nurse.
Place supplies from the storeroom in designated areas and notify appropriate departments of needed repairs, following up on 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 PPE and appropriate supplies or equipment are available and beds are turned down.
Orient patients and families to the unit and room and greet them positively and pleasantly.
Answer telephone calls courteously, screen and refer calls appropriately, and ensure accurate communication.
Place reports such as x-ray reports in patient charts or ensure they are sent to the appropriate units.
Maintain patient charts by thinning charts, replenishing forms, and placing reports in the appropriate locations.
Make recommendations to the unit Director about equipment or supply purchases as appropriate.
Complete daily and weekly requisitions to reflect unit needs accurately.
Record refrigerator temperatures daily on the appropriate sheet.
Maintain printers by changing ribbons, replenishing paper, and reporting problems to information systems.
Replace telemetry batteries according to unit requirements and replace glove boxes and wipes in patient rooms when supplies are low.
Participate in staff meetings with no more than two absences, read and respond to emails in a timely manner, and remain flexible in scheduling to meet department staffing needs.
Complete unit-specific and annual competency assessments within required timelines.