Unit Assistant UA - Med Surg - FT Days Lumpkin

Northeast Georgia Medical Center•Dahlonega, GA

20h

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 communications. The role 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, caring for adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients. Duties must follow population-specific guidelines and National Patient Safety Goals.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or a 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 read, write, reason, talk, and use a keyboard.
Must complete unit-specific and annual competency assessment requirements within specified timelines.

Nice To Haves

Typing skills are preferred but not required.

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 patient 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 assigned licensed staff.
Organize patient care, prioritize appropriately, and implement physician and nursing orders within prescribed time frames.
Perform therapeutic procedures within the role’s parameters and report patient 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 covered by unit routines, and follow up with patients or families.
Make diet requests or notify the Dietary Department of changes.
Perform emergency procedures for codes, fires, or disasters according to policy.
Print Ticket to Ride documents for transports.
Enter patient discharge time in the Electronic Medical Record and ensure the discharged patient chart is complete before sending it to Medical Records.
Promote patient safety by using Universal Precautions, following hand hygiene policy, maintaining a safe environment, and obtaining and restocking isolation supplies.
Clean and document equipment, maintain properly functioning equipment, and promptly report equipment issues to the Charge Nurse.
Place storeroom supplies in designated areas and notify appropriate departments of needed repairs, following through on requests.
Distribute linen and ice as needed and offer refreshments as permitted by the patient’s diet.
Perform patient transport functions as needed by the unit.
Prepare rooms for admissions, including placing PPE on the door, turning down the bed, and making appropriate supplies and equipment available.
Orient patients and their families or significant others to the unit and room, and greet them pleasantly.
Answer telephone calls courteously, screen and refer calls appropriately, and ensure accurate communication.
Place reports in patient charts or ensure they are sent to the appropriate units.
Maintain patient charts by thinning them as needed, replenishing forms, and placing reports in the appropriate locations.
Recommend equipment or supply purchases to the unit Director and complete daily or weekly requisitions that accurately reflect unit needs.
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 procedures 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.
Remain flexible in scheduling to meet department staffing needs.
Complete unit-specific and annual competency assessments within required timelines.