Care Partner - SAU

Summary

The Care Partner is responsible for assisting the nurse in providing patient care and for serving as a receptionist for the nursing unit with clerical /transcription duties. Activities are based on the unit's specific needs and are performed within the scope of education, training and experience of the Care Partner.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

These duties and responsibilities described below represent the general tasks performed on a daily basis; other tasks may be assigned.

General Patient Care/Procedures

• Demonstrate accuracy in taking vital signs, measuring intake/output, and completing activities of daily living as directed; document data via the electronic medical record

• Demonstrate competency competent in determining orthostatic blood pressures

• Perform blood glucose monitoring

• Collect, transport, and perform data entry for lab specimens per policy

• Obtain blood products from Blood Bank per policy

• Effectively notify nurse of pertinent changes in patient's condition Maintain/stock adequate supplies and equipment to include but not limited to patient rooms, med room supplies, and emergency airway supplies at bedside

• Follow established routines and utilize supplies and equipment in a cost-effective manner

Clerical Management Activities/Unit Secretary

• Process MD orders promptly and accurately via the electronic medical record

• Provide clerical assistant for patient admissions, transfers, and discharges

• Operate the computer order entry system accurately; utilizes downtime processes and procedures when required Relay urgent orders immediately to the appropriate staff member Coordinate scheduling of diagnostic and therapeutic services for patients

• Serve as receptionist for the nursing unit

• Manage phones and other communication systems to provide effective and timely communication

• Take and deliver messages accurately and in a time appropriate manner

• Keep work area neat and orderly

• Maintain and order forms, office supplies, and dietary supplies as needed in a cost effective manner Assist with safety during emergencies; direct hallway traffic

• Demonstrate familiarity and competence with completing necessary procedures: Transportation arrangements for patients going to other hospitals

• COBRA forms for transfer

• Supporting safe transitions of care; copying chart to be sent with patients during transfers

• Pick up blood and blood products from the lab

• Maintain a working knowledge of equipment

Communication

• Maintain and promote effective relationships with peers, physicians, other hospital departments, patients, and families

• Utilize excellent verbal, nonverbal, and written communication

• Maintain accountability for intradepartmental communication

• Effectively communicate with all patient populations based on their age and developmental needs Effectively communicate patient needs with the nurse caring for the patient

• All procedures/interventions must be reported to the responsible Nurse or Charge Nurse

• All patient responses to any intervention/procedure are reported to the appropriate Nurse or Charge Nurse

Safety and Environment

• Assure a safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors by following all safety precautions and procedures in the performance of job duties

• Adhere to patient safety and identification policy and procedures

• Provide a safe area for all patients, ensuring that side rails are up as needed, and call lights are given to each patient

• Identify patients at risk for injury and participate in instituting measures to prevent/reduce the risk

• Adhere to Age Appropriate Protocols in order to ensure patient safety based on development needs Contribute to prevention of infectious diseases among employees, patients, and visitors by adhering to Infection Control policies and procedures

• Complete employee accident reports

• Respond to patient monitor alarms and call bells in a timely fashion

• Initiate timely emergency measures as appropriate according to role responsibilities

• Be constantly aware of noise level in the department and keep noise at a minimum to provide a quit area for the patient population

• Provide a calm, reassuring atmosphere for the patient, significant others, and family

People/Human Resources Management

• Demonstrate the ability to ensure compliance with policies and procedures

• Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate the vision, mission and goals of Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, including hospital and unit specific dashboards

• Demonstrate the ability to contribute to a healthy, collaborative, open work environment that is conducive to teamwork and encourages communication

• Demonstrate the ability to follow administrative protocols

• Demonstrate constructive and effective relationships with staff, peers, and customers

• Emphasizes the team approach to work

• Organize and reprioritize work based on patient needs, available resources, and unit requirements Support compliance with hospital accreditation, state licensure, and other external accrediting agency requirements

• Respond positively to change; show willingness to learn new ways to accomplish work

• Attend required hospital-wide orientations, meetings, and in-services

• Demonstrate a commitment to flexible work scheduling when necessary to ensure patient care

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Reports to: Nurse Manager

• Supervises: None

• Responsibilities: Not applicable

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Candidate is required to have reading comprehension skills, writing ability, and verbal communication skills.

Education and Experience

• Minimum Required Education: High school diploma or GED equivalent is required

• Preferred Education: Successful completion of a Care Partner certification course, CNA course or program.

• Experience: One year of similar or like work experience in a healthcare setting required.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Applicant must hold a current BLS certification within 90 days.

• Certified Nursing Assistant license preferred.