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

Northeast Georgia Medical Center•Gainesville, GA

About The Position

The Unit Assistant provides a wide variety of support services for assigned units, including clerical support with patient records, unit supplies, 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. This position cares for adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients and follows population-specific guidelines and National Patient Safety Goals as outlined in policies and procedures. Candidates who have not successfully completed the Foundations of Nursing course (RN students only), have less than six months of PCT experience within the past two years, or do not hold a current and active CNA certification will be enrolled in NGHS’s in-house PCT Academy.

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.
Assist with 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.
Identify and promptly report changes in patients’ physical or mental status to licensed staff.
Organize patient care, prioritize tasks, 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, take appropriate action, and explain procedures or care to patients before beginning.
Record patient data accurately and promptly, and forward it to supervisory staff within established time frames.
Answer patient intercom requests, route requests to appropriate staff or fulfill them according to unit routine, and follow up with patients or families.
Make diet requests or notify the Dietary Department about changes.
Perform emergency procedures for code, fire, or disaster situations according to policy.
Print Ticket to Ride forms for transports and enter patient discharge times in the Electronic Medical Record.
Check discharged patient charts for completeness before sending them to Medical Records.
Promote patient safety by using universal precautions, following hand-hygiene policy, maintaining a safe patient environment, and stocking isolation supplies.
Clean equipment, document cleaning responsibilities, maintain properly functioning equipment, and promptly report equipment issues to the Charge Nurse.
Place supplies from the storeroom in designated areas, notify appropriate departments of needed repairs, and follow up on repair requests.
Distribute linen and ice, offer refreshments as permitted by patients’ diets, and transport patients as needed.
Prepare rooms for admissions, including placing PPE on the door, turning down the bed, and ensuring required supplies and equipment are available.
Orient patients and their families or significant others to the unit and room, and greet them pleasantly.
Answer telephone calls politely, 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 correct 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 and replenishing paper, and report 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, and demonstrate scheduling flexibility to meet department staffing needs.
Complete unit-specific and annual competency assessments within required timelines.