Student Nurse SNICU Per Diem Summer

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction and supervision of the registered nurse and in accordance with hospital policies procedures protocols and standards of practice the Patient Care Technician participates in the delivery of patient care. The role encompasses the provision of direct clinical and support services to patients and families across the health care continuum functioning as an effective member of the health care team by contributing to the efficient operation of the patient care unit and accountability for fiscally sound quality patient/family clinical outcomes.

Position: Student Nurse Patient Care Technician

Department: SNICU

Schedule: Per Diem (Summer)

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

I. Clinical Practice: Under the direction of the registered nurse (RN) performs a variety of appropriately delegated patient care interventions for patients and their families within the scope of his/her role.

1.1 Collaborates with the RN throughout the shift to determine the appropriate work assignment and priorities as well as communicates the status of delegated task completion and outcomes of patient data findings to the RN throughout the shift.

1.2 Maintains timely ongoing verbal communication with RN throughout the shift regarding patient condition. Notifies RN immediately of any significant change in a patients condition and/or monitoring alarms (for example: change in vital signs change in patients mental status abnormal blood sugar patient fall patient concerns with care).

1.3 Upon initial contact with patients visitors and staff identifies self as a Patient Care Technician and introduces self to patient by name. Wears appropriate name badge which identifies self as a Patient Care Technician.

1.4 Accurately collects and records patient data (vital signs intake and output blood sugar weights restraint care/monitoring other) and complies with hospital documentation standards to ensure a complete and accurate patient record.

1.5 Accurately interprets & utilizes medical abbreviations and terminology in accordance with hospital policy.

1.6 Initiates a prompt response to all patient call lights and seeks assistance from coworkers as appropriate.

1.7 Assists with admission discharge and transfer of patients as appropriate for the inpatient or ambulatory area patients. Completes section of the Functional Health Assessment upon admission. Prepares room for admission and ensures patients have appropriate identification bands upon admission and throughout their hospitalization. Transports patients and their belongings equipment and supplies as needed and as part of the transfer/discharge process.

1.8 Makes routine patient room rounds to address patient needs.

1.9 Provides and/or assists with basic hygiene including but not limited to: bathing dressing mouth care shaving whirlpool baths perineal and bowel care foley care application of condom catheters emptying urinals and ostomy bags and other associated hygiene tasks.

1.10 Provides basic skin care including but not limited to: back rubs routine diabetic foot care application of nonmedicated ointments application of elastic stockings ace wraps and venodynes turning and repositioning patients every two hours and other associated tasks.

1.11 Sets up patients for meals and assists them with feeding and opening food containers; maintaining calorie counts and recording intake/output measures (I and Os).

1.12 Performs basic oral suctioning.

1.13 Performs post mortem care.

1.14 Assists nurse/health team members during simple and complex treatments or procedures.

1.15 Provides basic preoperative care and readies the patient for the OR in conjunction with the RN.

1.16 Collects labels and sends/transports specimens with the appropriate lab slips/requisitions.

1.17 When ambulating patients uses safe and proper technique applies safety devices using hydraulic lifts or bed scale as needed.

1.18 When providing oneonone 1:1 or oneontwo 1:2 patient care performs the duties of the Patient Care Technician for the patient assigned.

1.19 Identifies emergency / crisis situations and initiates appropriate response actions within the scope of her/his role including immediate communication of such events to the registered nurse.

1.20 Performs EKGs and phlebotomy services as directed.

1.21 Performs basic patient testing including but not limited to: tests for guaiac sugar and acetone urine pH glucose finger stick O2 saturation leg/girth measurements visual acuity tests peak flow tests etc.

1.22 Maintains competence in relation to a variety of other technical skills which may include (depending on unit assigned) but are not limited to:

PD cycler set up

Cast / splint care

Application of external monitors

GU irrigation set up

Chest tube set up

Arterial line set up

Basic ostomy care.

Quad coughing

II. Support Services: Under the direction of the RN works cooperatively with all health care team members to provide a variety of support services to meet patient family and staff needs within the scope of his/her role.

Addresses patient comfort and information needs by providing informative nonclinical information to patients and families orienting patients/visitors to the hospital unit patient room services distributing patient mail/flowers arranging room to ensure necessary personal care items are available & accessible (includes call lights) distributes nourishments changes linens & clothing refill ice packs run patient errands or other duties as assigned by the RN. Answers the telephone identifying unit self & role; responds to callers need within the scope of role or takes and delivers messages in a timely manner. In conjunction with the RN responsible for initiating patient belongings tracking form and for properly securing patient belongings in accordance to hospital policy. Consults with RN if patient refuses to secure their belongings or have their belongings sent home with family member or friend.

III. Work Rules Standards & Competency Compliance: Acts in a manner that supports a positive and collaborative work environment and that is congruent with established standards policies procedures and regulations within the scope of his/her role.

3.1 Works cooperatively with all staff members and takes appropriate steps to resolve interpersonal conflicts. Seeks assistance from RN or offShift Nurse Manager as needed.

3.2 Participates in staff meetings and appropriate inservices. Responsible for reading and reviewing minutes and clinical updates on the unit. Maintains accurate education record in Healthstream. Maintains competencies required to perform the role.

3.3 Complies with established practice standards policies procedures protocols guidelines and regulations (for example: DPH JCAHO Boston fire codes OSHA).

3.4 Reviews and is knowledgeable of appropriate policies procedures and work rules.

3.5 Dresses appropriately according to dress code requirements including wearing uniform and visible hospital I.D. badge while on duty.

3.6 Assists in the orientation of new staff; serves as a resource to float staff.

3.7 Adapts to changing patient and unit needs including but not limited to: offers assistance to other team members floating adjusting assignments etc.

3.8 Communicates with charge nurse/supervisor to coordinate break periods with unit activities. Maintains visibility on the unit and does not leave work area without appropriate notification to the RN.

3.9 Delivers care in a nonjudgmental nondiscriminatory manner that is sensitive to and demonstrates respect for patient diversity.

3.10 Acts in a manner that protects confidentiality of patient employee and hospital information at all times.

IV. Care of Unit Environment Equipment Materials and Supplies: Performs a variety of environmental and inventory activities to ensure a safe clean and appropriately equipped environment for patients visitors and staff within the scope of his/her role.

4.1 Initiates and performs spot and spill cleaning as needed including biological spills. Assists with locating and transporting equipment for periodic sonic cleaning.

4.2 Makes routine room rounds to unclutter clean and organize patient rooms/areas when needed.

4.3 Checks inventories and restocks/replaces/assembles patient equipment and supplies.

4.4 Appropriately disposes of trash soiled linens medical waste & disposable items.

4.5 Performs regular checks per policies to ensure that equipment is operating properly and has current safety inspections/expiration dates before patient use. Identifies broken/expired equipment/supplies; removes from service and notifies RN. Provides equipment delivery to appropriate repair sites as requested.

4.6 Maintains appropriate equipment logs and records.

4.7 Performs initial cleaning/decontamination of equipment/materials e.g. removing reusable equipment from isolation rooms and arranges for terminal cleaning as appropriate.

4.8 Provides basic patient equipment care including but not limited to: changing hearing aide batteries cleaning/preparing breast pumps etc.

OTHER DUTIES:

5.1 Interprets/translates for patients/family/visitors when conversant in her/his native language.

5.2 Utilizes hospitals values as the basis for decision making and to facilitate the divisions hospital mission.

5.3 Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.

5.4 Performs all other duties as assigned.

(The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job. The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required).

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

High school diploma or GED certificate required.

CERTIFICATES LICENSES REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

Basic Life Support Certification or obtained within 60 days of employment.

EXPERIENCE:

Requires at minimum one of the following:

• One year of previous experience as a nursing assistant in an acute hospital setting or

• Current enrollment in a nursing program and has completed two cycles of clinical rotation or

• Successful completion of an approved Patient Care Technician training or

• Successful completion of approved certified Medical Assistant Training program.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Ability to effectively speak read and write using the English language. Multilingual skills (beyond that of English) in languages appropriate to the patient populations served by the Medical Center is a plus.

• Ability to perform basic math and quantitative measurements e.g. obtain height and weight abdominal girths measure urine output calorie counts etc

• Ability to accurate interpret and utilize basic medical terminology and abbreviations.

• Ability to enter and retrieve computerized information/data. Ability to use Microsoft Outlook.

• Ability to pass clinical competency testing and basic math and abbreviation test.

• Physical ability to push transfer and pull heavy loads (e.g. independently transport averagesized patient via wheelchair and stretcher etc. throughout assigned shift.

• Physical ability to meet core job requirements in accordance with practice setting demands for the patient populations regularly served.

• Effective interpersonal skills to interact appropriately with nursing staff patients families/visitors physicians and other hospital staff.

• Organizational skills to set priorities and efficiently complete assigned work.

• Ability to manage stress related to patient care issues and changing organizational climate and personnel issues.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans