Care Assistant

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health has a rich history of providing exceptional healthcare dating back to 1891. Building upon a legacy of compassionate care and innovation our organization has evolved over the years through strategic partnerships and integrations to expand our reach and services across the Puget Sound area.

Today as Virginia Mason Franciscan Health we remain deeply committed to healing the whole person body mind and spirit in the communities we serve. This commitment is strengthened by the diverse expertise and shared values brought together through our growth.

Our dedicated providers offer a full spectrum of health care services from routine wellness to complex disease management all grounded in rigorous research and education. Our comprehensive network of 10 hospitals and nearly 300 care sites strategically located across the greater Puget Sound region reflects our ongoing commitment to accessibility and comprehensive care.

We are proud of our pioneering medical advances and numerous awards and accreditations that reflect our dedication to excellence. When you join Virginia Mason Franciscan Health you become part of a team that delivers top-quality professional healthcare in modern well-equipped facilities and contributes to a legacy of service built on collaboration and shared purpose.

This job is responsible for assisting with patient care under the direction of a Registered Nurse; performs data entry unit secretarial functions and equipment processing.

• Provides patient personal care/hygiene and physical comfort including feeding bathing shaving changing clothes bed making ambulation lifting turning moving transferring skin care and bowel/bladder elimination. Provides such additional care as required to meet the personal primary needs and comfort of assigned patient based on skill ability limitations of scope of practice and patient acuity. Prepares patient equipment and supplies for specific procedures/examinations.
• Performs monitors reports and documents all clinical activities within scope of practice. Observes and reports changes in patient condition to the RN. Obtains labels and transports a variety of samples (e.g. urine stool sputum specimens and blood products). Provides patient information to nursing staff for inclusion in the interdisciplinary plan of care; documents relevant patient data in accordance with work unit standards.
• Assists nursing staff in the admission discharge and transfer of patient by performing activities such as inventory/storing patient belongings providing patient with relevant personal care/comfort items orienting patient/family and transporting patient to room or other location using wheelchairs stretchers or patient bed.
• If assigned checks cleans and disinfects mobile non-critical medical equipment (e.g. IV pumps/poles feeding pumps cardiac monitoring equipment cabinets etc.) in accordance with established standards/procedures and manufacturers instructions; assures that disinfectant is applied with sufficient contact time.
• Maintains a neat and organized work environment. Orders stocks and replenishes supplies and equipment as necessary identifies and reports problems with supplies or equipment; enters equipment repair request in system tags equipment and removes from service.
• Verifies orders and stocks supplies as needed. Maintains order in the unit on a regular basis. Cleans and returns charts and clipboards to appropriate places. Assists in maintaining overall appearance of the unit. Initiates work orders for repairs and maintenance including appropriate follow up. Labels and reports defective equipment and safety hazards. Cleans keyboard(s) according to protocol.
• Ensures only current forms are available and stocked and discards previous versions. Conducts environmental roundings observing for; phone in place plugs in good condition equipment available menu in drawer all containers dated and labeled no food or drink in clinical areas etc.
• Maintains a safe work and patient environment adhering to the hospitals Safety Risk Management Regulatory Standards and infection prevention.
• Uses hand hygiene in accordance with current protocol and procedures. Uses two patient identifiers when communicating right patient right procedure/test. Demonstrates awareness of and incorporates safety standards in accordance with National Patient Safety Goals and regulatory agencies. Demonstrates awareness of risk sensitive issues and reports to the RN in charge to include - patient/family concerns physician concerns and quality of care concerns. Follows standard precautions and transmission-based precautions including personal protective equipment for anticipated contact with blood or other potentially infectious material.
• Assists in keeping unit in continuous survey readiness. Performs efficiently and effectively in emergency situations by completing tasks as directed. Participates in disaster preparedness and drills as assigned.
• Performs receptionist and support duties at the assigned unit; handles incoming and outgoing communications transfers calls appropriately greets and assists visitors answers questions in accordance with established procedures.
• Greets and assists all customers physicians patients visitors and employees in a friendly and timely manner. Facilitates and directs communication among visitors employees and physicians within the assigned work area. Assists physicians in locating patients staff and information. Maintains and updates phone list/rolodex/database. Accesses and uses as needed.
• Schedules appointments tests etc. dispatches messages to other departments. Welcomes patient to unit for room set up show videos if applicable orient to phones television dietary ordering etc. Assists staff as necessary with securing of patients personal belonging(s) and valuables for safekeeping with a family member in the appropriate unit area or with the Secruity Department assuring proper documentation is completed. Makes follow up appointments for patients. Assists with gathering patient information. Monitors and promptly responds to call lights (per unit standard).
• Communicates patient information concerns or issues to appropriate interdisciplinary team member(s). Assists and follow up with non nursing requests such as dietary or environmental services coordination of supplies equipment repairs requests for special beds service requests for all computers printers scanners discarding unwanted printing troubleshooting printers fax machines etc. Assists with all admissions discharges transfers and changes within the unit.

Education

• Completion of an accredited Nursing Assistant programupon hire is requiredor
• Military medical specialty training upon hire required and
• Six months related work experience preferred and
• Experience in a hospital setting preferred and
• Experience in a specialty unit. Preference is given toward applicants with experience as both a Certified Nursing Assistant and Unit Coordinator.

Licensure and Certifications

• Certified Nursing Assistant: WA (CNA:WA)
• Basic Life Support - CPR (BLS-CPR)