Unit Assistant UA - Medical Intermediate Care Unit MIMCU - PRN

Northeast Georgia Medical Center•Gainesville, GA

About The Position

The Unit Assistant provides clerical and patient-care support for assigned units, maintaining patient records, supplies, and equipment and facilitating communication. The role interacts with patients, visitors, and employees and performs patient care within the defined scope of practice under the direction of a registered professional nurse, collaborating with the healthcare team. The position serves adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients and follows population-specific guidelines and National Patient Safety Goals. The position is in the Medical Intermediate Care Unit (MIMCU) and is listed as PRN, with a 12-hour evening-to-morning shift. The assistant supports patient care and unit operations, including documentation, patient transport, room preparation, supply and equipment upkeep, and communication with patients, families, and departments. Scheduling flexibility is needed to meet department staffing needs.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or high school transcript showing completion of at least the sophomore level of high school.
At least one year of previous experience as a nursing assistant, patient care technician, or unit assistant is required.
Nursing students who have successfully completed Foundations of Nursing are eligible without previous experience.
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 an electronic medical record (EMR).
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 listed, including lifting up to 50 pounds and carrying up to 20 pounds frequently, and frequent pushing or pulling.

Nice To Haves

Typing skills.

Responsibilities

Obtain and report basic patient physiological data, including vital signs, weight, skin condition, and the color and character of urine and stool.
Provide positioning, mobility, hygiene, activities of daily living, and comfort assistance using proper body mechanics and following procedure 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 and implement physician and nursing orders within prescribed time frames.
Perform therapeutic procedures within the job description’s parameters and report patient responses to the supervising nurse.
Make frequent patient-room rounds, respond to 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 as defined by unit routine, and follow up with patients or families.
Make diet requests or notify Dietary of changes.
Perform emergency procedures for codes, fires, or disasters according to policy.
Print Ticket to Ride documents for transports.
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 equipment, maintain properly functioning equipment, and promptly report equipment issues to the Charge Nurse.
Place storeroom supplies in designated areas, notify appropriate departments of repair needs, and follow up on requests.
Distribute linen and ice and offer refreshments as permitted by the patient’s diet.
Transport patients as needed by the unit.
Prepare rooms for admissions, including ensuring PPE and appropriate supplies and equipment are available and turning down the bed.
Orient patients and families to the unit and room, and greet them pleasantly.
Answer telephone calls courteously, screen and refer calls appropriately, and support 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 reflecting unit needs.
Record refrigerator temperatures daily.
Maintain printers by changing ribbons, replenishing paper, and reporting problems to Information Systems.
Replace telemetry batteries according to unit procedure and replenish glove boxes and wipes in patient rooms when supplies are low.
Participate in staff meetings with no more than two absences, and 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.