Unit Assistant - UA - Braselton ICU/CCU - FT Nights

Northeast Georgia Health System•Braselton, GA

About The Position

The Unit Assistant provides support services for assigned units, including clerical support, patient-record maintenance, management of unit supplies and equipment, and communication facilitation. 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, caring for adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients. Duties follow 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 (EMR).
Good interpersonal skills and adaptability to changing situations and work assignments.
Ability to concentrate during multiple interactions and interruptions.

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.
Use proper body mechanics and provide positioning, mobility, hygiene, activities of daily living, and comfort measures according to procedure and direction.
Monitor and document fluid intake and output.
Identify and promptly report physical or mental status changes to licensed staff assigned to the patient.
Organize patient care and prioritize tasks while implementing physician and nursing orders within prescribed time frames.
Perform therapeutic procedures within the job description and report the patient’s response to the supervising nurse.
Make frequent rounds, respond to patient call lights, and take appropriate action.
Explain procedures and care to patients before beginning, such as patient mobilization.
Accurately and promptly record patient data and forward it to supervisory staff within established time frames.
Answer patient intercoms, direct requests to appropriate staff, fulfill requests as defined by unit routine, and follow up with patients or families.
Make diet requests and notify the Dietary Department of changes.
Perform emergency procedures according to policy, including CODE, fire, or disaster procedures.
Print Ticket to Ride documents 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 and hand hygiene, maintaining a safe environment, obtaining and restocking isolation supplies, cleaning equipment, and reporting equipment issues to the Charge Nurse.
Place storeroom supplies in designated areas and notify appropriate departments of needed repairs, following up on requests.
Distribute linen and ice, offer refreshments as permitted by the patient’s diet, and perform patient transport as needed.
Prepare rooms for new admissions, including placing PPE on the door, turning down the bed, and ensuring necessary supplies and equipment are available.
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 support accurate communication.
Place reports in patient charts or ensure reports 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 as appropriate.
Complete daily and 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 practice 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 email in a timely manner.
Demonstrate scheduling flexibility to meet department staffing needs.
Complete unit-specific and annual competency assessments within required timelines.