Assists clinical personnel in providing quality nursing care through a variety of support functions. Maintains refrigerator QI (logs), performs regular equipment checks, and maintains records/logs. Assists in admitting and discharging of patients. Responsible for maintaining a clean and safe environment, particularly in turn-over of the patient bays and carts, assisting with terminal cleaning at the end of the schedule. Performs various patient care activities under nursing supervision. Performs various clerical functions, as assigned, which support the clinical and Center goals.
Key Areas of Responsibility:
- Performs assigned nursing support tasks according to Center policy and procedures.
- Responsible for movement and positioning of patients within the Center, utilizing appropriate body mechanics.
- Responsible for patient bay turn-over by removing trash linen and cleaning the patient lounge chairs.
- Performs some housekeeping functions as assigned, such as cleaning supply/linen carts, cleaning and changing patient cart, collection and disposal of soiled linen/trash, general cleaning of the desk and patient areas.
- Orders, procures and tracks supplies from general stores and purchasing, documenting and communicating with the Materials Manager, per policy.
- Orders and distributes linen from linen delivery cart to appropriate clinical areas, such as blanket warmers, scrub storage, unit and surgery suite linen stock.
- Assist with daily terminal cleaning of clinical areas and equipment at end of schedule. Notifies Supervisor of any maintenance needed.
- Assists visitors, staff and physicians, utilizing good guest relations.
- Adheres to OSHA guidelines for Universal Precautions for exposure to blood and body fluids at all times, using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Follows AORN Recommended Practices and Center policies at all times.
- Participates in the orientation of new employees, students and other approved program participants.
- Performs daily refrigerator temperature checks and maintains accurate logs. Notifies Supervisor and takes corrective action, rechecking temperature within 4 hours as needed.
- Communicates need to order any supplies needed for QA or processing functions.
- Assesses safety and effectiveness of equipment and the environment. Communicates deficits to Supervisor. Follows policy regarding tagging and removal from service, any
equipment which fails to function appropriately.
- Demonstrates and utilizes good guest relations skills with members of the staff, physicians, patients and visitors.
- Utilizes appropriate body mechanics in daily activities, while transporting patients, assisting in ambulation and moving equipment or supplies.
- Demonstrates flexibility in meeting the needs of the unit and Center.
- Participates in Center Quality Improvement Program activities including identification of aspects of care, collection and analysis of data, implementation of an improvement plan and evaluation of the process.
- Attends Center staff and unit meetings and educational opportunities.
- Maintains all required certifications (CPR). Performs efficiently in emergency situations.
- Prioritizes job responsibilities to facilitate optimum quality of patient care.
- Performs activities with efficiency and speed.
- Maintains patient confidentiality at all times.
- Nursing Assistant will have full access to medical records in order to assist with quality improvement activities.
Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- High School diploma or equivalent.
- Ability to continuously deal with simple to moderately complex problems requiring appropriate resolution or reporting.
- Demonstrates interpersonal communication skills required to facilitate effective interaction with a variety of health care professionals, patients, and visitors.
- Ability to work with a minimum of supervision and to organize work in order of importance, prioritizing to achieve unit and Center goals.
- Familiarity with medical terminology preferred or required to complete a course in medical Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and percentages.
- Demonstrates clerical skills, including keyboarding, a minimum of 50 words/ minutes and familiarity with software programs such as Microsoft Office and Center IS system. Aptitude for learning new computer software.
Working Conditions:
- Executive Director, Clinical Director, Charge Nurse, OR Charge Nurse, Staff R.N.'s
- Normal peri-operative environment with occasional exposure to chemical odors, cleaning solvents, and other hazardous materials.
- Occasional exposure to possible injury when working with electrical equipment which require care and following proper safety procedures.
- Requires standing and walking for prolonged periods of time. Requires ability to perform lifting of patients and instrumentation and equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.
