Unit Assistant UA - Medical Intermediate Care Unit MIMCU - PRN

Northeast Georgia Health System•Gainesville, GA

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Unit Assistant provides a wide variety of support services for assigned units, including clerical support through maintaining patient records, unit supplies, and equipment, and facilitating communications. The role performs patient care within the defined scope of practice and interacts with patients, the public, and employees throughout the institution. The position 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 outlined in policies and procedures. The position is in the Medical Intermediate Care Unit (MIMCU) and is listed as PRN, with a 12-hour evening-to-morning shift schedule. The job requires a high school diploma, GED, or transcript showing completion of at least the sophomore year of high school, and generally requires one year of experience as a nursing assistant, patient care technician, or unit assistant. Nursing students who have successfully completed Foundations of Nursing may qualify without prior experience.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or high school transcript showing completion of at least the sophomore level of high school.
One year of previous experience as a nursing assistant, patient care technician, or unit assistant; nursing students who have successfully completed Foundations of Nursing may qualify 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 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; standing and walking, and kneeling, stooping, or bending may be required occasionally.

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 assist with patient positioning, mobility, hygiene, activities of daily living, and comfort needs according to procedures and direction.
Monitor and document fluid intake and output.
Promptly report changes in patients’ physical or mental status to the assigned licensed staff.
Organize patient care and prioritize tasks while implementing physician and nursing orders within prescribed time frames.
Perform therapeutic procedures within the job’s scope and report patient responses to the supervising nurse.
Make frequent patient-room rounds, respond to call lights, take appropriate action, and follow up on patient requests.
Explain procedures and care to patients before beginning them.
Record patient data accurately and promptly, 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.
Submit diet requests and 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.
Support patient safety by using Universal Precautions, following hand hygiene policy, maintaining a safe environment, obtaining and restocking isolation supplies, cleaning equipment, maintaining functioning equipment, and promptly reporting equipment problems to the Charge Nurse.
Place storeroom supplies in designated areas and complete daily or weekly requisitions that accurately reflect unit needs.
Notify appropriate departments of needed repairs and follow up on requests.
Distribute linen and ice and offer refreshments as permitted by patients’ diets.
Perform patient transports as needed by the unit.
Prepare rooms for new admissions, including placing PPE on the door, turning down the bed, and making appropriate supplies and equipment available.
Orient patients, families, and significant others to the unit and room; greet them in a pleasant and positive manner.
Answer telephone calls politely, screen them, and refer them appropriately to support 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 them as needed, replenishing forms, and placing reports in the appropriate locations.
Recommend equipment or supply purchases to the unit Director as appropriate.
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 emails in a timely manner.
Demonstrate scheduling flexibility to meet department staffing needs.
Complete unit-specific and annual competency assessments within established timelines.