JOB PURPOSE OR MISSION: Responsible for the clerical and administrative activities on the nursing unit, fulfilling or communicating customer requests, data entry and the facilitation of communication between patient care team members. Duties also include float responsibilities to work as a Patient Care Associate and Monitor Tech as needed. Job is performed to meet the needs of the age population served, as defined in the department’s scope of service.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS include, but are not limited to:
1. Greets and receives guests, ascertains their needs, and appropriately directs guests or callers.
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:
- Courteously answers the telephone and identifies self.
- Assists guest or caller by answering questions or providing information, and determines when
referral to other staff is appropriate.
- Takes accurate messages and repeats information to ensure accuracy
- Respects confidentiality of information at all times.
- Recognizes unusual situations or questions and refers to appropriate staff.
- Tactfully handles telephone calls in difficult situations.
- Answers patient call lights on a timely basis, and notifies appropriate staff.
2. Prepares, compiles and maintains unit records.
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:
- Prepares forms and maintains files required for daily unit functioning.
- Demonstrates a working knowledge of documentation procedures, chart forms and medical/pharmaceutical terminology.
- Provides accurate change-of-shift report and clarifies ambiguous information.
- Prepares all medical records for admission, transfer or discharge.
- Ensures medical record is current and fully supplied with appropriate forms.
- Ensures that all forms utilized are fully completed, signed appropriately, and routed according to policy.
- Maintains patient information.
3. Maintains unit supplies and equipment to ensure unit efficiency.
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:
- Maintains a well equipped, organized nursing station.
- Ensures appropriate charge capture and assist Unit Manager in tracking lost charges.
- Orders, stocks and maintains supplies in patient care area.
- Retrieves medications from pharmacy and/or tube system; and either puts in designated place in medication room or hands to approved caregiver in accordance with BRGMC policy.
4. Participates in the admission and discharge processes.
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:
- Communicate all pending admissions to the appropriate staff.
- Receives and assists patients and visitors to the unit in accordance with RIGHT TOUCH values.
- Enters patient data into the computer and initiates patient record accurately.
- Accurately enters discharge data into record and notifies appropriate department(s) and staff.
- Ensures the appropriate department receives medical records in a timely manner and in accordance with policy.
5. Observes cardiac telemetry monitors for changes in heart rhythm.
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:
- Consistently utilizes Lead II lead placement for monitoring.
- Reviews patient information to determine normal heart rhythm patters and prior variances.
- Identifies and documents cardiac rhythm every 8 hours and documents rhythm changes as they occur with correct interpretation.
- Interprets EKG rhythms.
- Recognizes significant EKG events.
- Monitors all equipment every shift and accurately documents.
- Responds to emergency patient situations appropriately.
- Observes the cardiac monitor, and immediately reports significant and life threatening changes to RN.
6. Provides direct patient care and assists the nursing staff with patient duties.
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:
- Provides personal care assistance to patients, including bathing, feeding, personal hygiene, and ambulating.
- Performs technical skills that incorporate the patient’s plan of care and comfort measures given to patients.
- Reports changes in the patient’s condition, in a timely and accurate manner, to the patient’s primary nurse.
- Assists with the initiation and removal of non-invasive monitoring equipment, as directed.
- Answers patient call lights, anticipates needs, and makes rounds to assign patients.
- Assists with the collection and transport of specimens in accordance with the universal precaution policy.
- Retrieves medications from pharmacy in accordance with BRGMC policy.
- Assists with the admission, discharge and transfer of patients to the unit.
- Performs effectively in emergency response situations in accordance with BRGMC Code Blue Policy.
7. Performs all other duties as assigned.
EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
One year experience in a healthcare setting preferred.
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
High School Diploma or GED preferred.
SPECIAL SKILL, LICENSE AND KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS
Computer experience and clerical skills preferred.
Completion of BRGMC EKG course or equivalent preferred
Certified Nursing Assistant Certification or Basic EMT Certification or Military Medic experience or Nursing Student with completion of fundamental nursing clinical in RN program desired.