Unit Assistant UA - Emergency Department ED - FT 11a-11p

Northeast Georgia Health System•Gainesville, GA

21h

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 position 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. Care is provided to adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients, following population-specific guidelines and National Patient Safety Goals outlined in policy and procedures.

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.
Ability to read, write, reason, talk, and use a keyboard.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds frequently and carry up to 20 pounds frequently.
Ability to push and pull frequently.

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 urine and stool characteristics.
Use proper body mechanics and provide positioning, mobility, hygiene, activities of daily living, and comfort support as directed and according to procedure.
Monitor and document fluid intake and output.
Promptly identify and report physical or mental status changes to licensed staff assigned to the patient.
Organize patient care and prioritize tasks by carrying out physician and nursing orders within prescribed time frames.
Perform therapeutic procedures within the parameters of the job description and report patient responses to the supervising nurse.
Make frequent rounds and respond promptly to patient call lights, taking appropriate action.
Explain procedures or care to patients before beginning, such as when mobilizing a patient.
Record patient data accurately and on time, forwarding it to supervisory staff within established time frames.
Answer patient intercoms, direct requests to appropriate staff or fulfill requests as defined by unit routine, and follow up with patients or families.
Make necessary 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 times in the Electronic Medical Record and ensure discharged patient charts are complete before sending them to Medical Records.
Promote patient safety by using Universal Precautions, following hand hygiene policy, maintaining a safe patient environment, obtaining and restocking isolation supplies, cleaning equipment, maintaining properly functioning equipment, and promptly reporting equipment issues to the Charge Nurse.
Place storeroom supplies in designated areas as appropriate.
Notify appropriate departments of needed repairs and follow through on requests.
Distribute linen and ice and offer refreshments as permitted by patient diets.
Perform patient transport functions as needed by the unit.
Prepare rooms for new admissions, including placing PPE on the door, turning down the bed, and providing appropriate supplies or equipment.
Orient patients, families, and significant others to the unit and room, and greet them positively and pleasantly.
Answer telephone calls politely and courteously; screen and refer calls appropriately to ensure accurate communication.
Place reports, such as X-ray reports, in patient charts or ensure they are sent to appropriate units.
Maintain patient charts by thinning them as needed, replenishing forms, and placing reports in the appropriate chart locations.
Recommend new equipment or supplies 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 procedures.
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.
Exhibit scheduling flexibility to meet department staffing needs.
Complete unit-specific and annual competency assessments within required timelines.