Nursing Assistant (MHO)

Reports to the Director Patient Care Services. Performs designated patient care services under the direction of a Registered Nurse. Specific tasks to be performed are determined based upon patient care unit assignment and may include some or all of the duties listed below.

MISSION VALUES and SERVICE GOALS

MISSION We deliver outstanding care inspire health and connect with heart.

VALUES Trust. Respect. Integrity. Compassion.

SERVICE GOALS Personally connect. Keep everyone informed. Be on their team.

Patient Care Services

Performs patient care services by:

• Assisting with patient admission, setting up patient room, orienting patient to room, and recording basic patient information and discharge.
• Bathing patients, assisting with oral hygiene, making beds, straightening rooms, and providing ongoing care throughout the shift.
• Giving, placing, and emptying bedpans, urinals, commodes.
• Turning, positioning, moving, lifting, transferring, and ambulating patients, including chest tube patients, also assisting with range of motion exercises using proper techniques.
• Preparing patients for meals, feeding or assisting, distributing and collecting meal trays.
• Taking and recording vital signs, including temperatures, blood pressure, pulse, and respirations, also measuring and recording standing or bed scale weights.
• Answering patient call lights, addressing the need and/or relaying messages appropriately.

Participates in Patient Care Treatments and Procedures

• Performing skin care, including cleaning patients, skin surgical, procedural skin preps, clips, shaves, etc., and applying skin products under the direction of a Registered Nurse.
• Performing wound care, including sterile and unsterile dressing changes, hot and cold applications, sutures, staple removal, and documenting observations on the medical record.
• Conducting, performing, and recording procedures, i.e., catheter insertion or removal, blood glucose monitoring, external monitors, hematest, incentive spirometry, sputum collection, IV site observation, discontinuing peripheral IVs, reseals NG suction, set-up, maintaining, adding, feeding, recording intake, cardiac monitoring, EKGs, checking arterial pressure lines, implementing deep vein thrombosis prevention measures, etc., as directed by a Registered Nurse.
• Emptying, measuring, and recording foley, ileostomy, colostomy, and/or gastric drainage bags, and making ostomy pouch dressing changes, established emptying or changing oral suction containers, also recording, calculating, and totaling intake and output records.
• Preparing and administering perineal catheter care, ice bags, collars, and non-medicated enemas, as assigned.
• Performing emergency procedures, including calling a Code Blue, gathering equipment, performing CPR, and using AED.
• Implementing isolation precautions, including standard precautions, respiratory or strict isolation.
• Obtaining specimens, as directed, including urine, stool, hemoccult, gastroccult, sputum, and nasal cultures, including MRSA.
• Assisting with postmortem care, as directed by RN.
• Supports the patient care unit by:
• Observing, reporting, and following up on patient complaints, unusual behavior, abnormal condition changes, incidents, concerns, questions, or complaints expressed by patient, family, or visitors.
• Transporting patients and delivering and returning equipment or supplies.
• Maintaining supply levels, by observing and reporting necessary orders, and placing supplies in the proper place when delivered.
• Cleaning and maintaining equipment, during and after use, IVACs, and isolation equipment.
• Maintaining neat and orderly patient care areas, linen removed from patient rooms and commodes, and urinals emptied.
• Maintaining clean and orderly work areas, clean and soiled utility rooms, kitchen area.

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Associate complies with the following organizational requirements:

• Attends and participates in department meetings, and is accountable for all information shared.
• Completes mandatory education, annual competencies, and department-specific education, within established timeframes.
• Completes annual employee health requirements, within established timeframes.
• Maintains license, certification, registration in good standing throughout fiscal year.
• Direct patient care providers are required to maintain current BCLS, CPR, and other certifications, as required by position, department.
• Consistently utilizes appropriate universal precautions, protective equipment, and ergonomic techniques, to protect patient and self.
• Adheres to regulatory agency requirements, survey process, and compliance.
• Complies with established organization and department policies.
• Available to work overtime, in addition to working additional or other shifts and schedules, when required.
• Commitment to Beacons six-point Operating System, referred to as The Beacon Way.
• Leverage innovation everywhere.
• Cultivate human talent.
• Embrace performance improvement.
• Build greatness through accountability.
• Use information to improve and advance.
• Communicate clearly and continuously.

Education and Experience

The knowledge, skills, and abilities as indicated below are acquired through the successful completion of a high school diploma or equivalent, is preferred. Must be a minimum of 17 years of age. Previous patient care experience preferred. A Nurse Assistant certification is preferred. Must obtain Basic Cardiac Life Support, BCLS, CPR, within 3 months of hire, and maintain certification.

Knowledge & Skills

• Demonstrates ability to read, legibly, print, or write, correctly, spell medical and non-medical terms, and understand and follow verbal and written instructions.
• Requires an understanding of medical terminology.
• Demonstrates math skills necessary to add, subtract, multiply, divide, use fractions, and calculate percentages, for example, weigh patients, and take pulses, respirations, etc.
• Demonstrates communication and interpersonal skills necessary to interact effectively with patients, visitors, and co-workers, and to maintain positive working relationships.
• Requires proficiency in basic computer skills, and sufficient keyboarding skills, to complete the work assigned accurately, and in a reasonable amount of time.
• Requires the ability to work independently, take initiative, and be self-motivated.
• Working Conditions:
• Works in a patient care environment, requiring physical exertion, frequent changes in job demands, certain undesirable patient care activities, and possible exposure to biohazards.
• Physical Demands:
• Requires the physical ability and stamina, i.e., to walk, stand, for prolonged periods of time, push carts, wheelchairs, up to 50 pounds, to position, lift patients, at a maximum of 35 pounds, unassisted, over 35 pounds, requires assistance, provide CPR, etc., to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Also may require doing heavy work, which includes holding or positioning objects, for prolonged periods of time.