Perioperative Technician/PCA

Overview

Provides compassionate personal care and support services under the supervision of a registered nurse that assists the patient in the achievement of physical and emotional comfort and healing. Under the supervision of the RN assist in planning, organizing, implementing, and evaluating the activities occurring in the nursing station by performing clerical and receptionist duties and maintaining the physical environment of the area.

Responsibilities

Provides all personal care services in accordance with the plan of treatment assigned by the registerednurse to include but not limited to:

• measure and record intake and output
• measure and record vital signs, O2 Saturation, weight, height
• positioning patients; lifting and turning patients;
• applying/utilizing special equipment;
• assisting in use of bedpan, urinal or commode;
• ambulating the patient;
• pre-operative and post-operative care;
• application/removal of anti-embolism stocking and SCD devices;
• removal of foley catheters;
• perineal care; vaginal irrigations (non-sterile); sitz baths
• non-medicated enemas;
• application of heat and cold;
• care of the incontinent patient;
• skin care to the immobilized patient;
• removal of saline lock,
• emptying of colostomy bags;
• application of appliances for heat and cold;
• performing blood sugars.
• placing patients on cardiac monitors
• set up of oxygen equipment
• feeding patients
• collecting, labeling, and transporting of lab specimens

Accurately documents care provided according to policies and procedures.. Consistently performs basic care requirements such as rounding, use of AIDET, applying the "4 Ps" (Pain, Position, Potty, Proximity of items); prompt response to patient needs; performance of hand hygiene; use of two patient identifiers, etc. Coordinates unit functions to provide safe and smooth operations by adhering to cardiac monitor responsibilities:

• Observation of cardiac monitoring status on all patients. For breaks and lunch, makes sure that the monitor station is attended by qualified staff.
• Validates cardiac alarms have been assigned to caregivers at the beginning of each shift.
• Notifies staff of alarms, changes in cardiac rhythm, and when there is a leads off alarm.
• Validates the monitoring status (rhythm present on sector, status of stand-by, etc.) of each patient at least every 2 hours, at change of shift and during hand-off communication for breaks and lunch. Documents validation on the appropriate form.
• Performs monitor count each shift to assure all monitors are present, as appropriate for area.
• Accurately transcribing of orders, assembling, maintaining and disassembling of medical record, answering phones, intercoms and communicating messages.

Participates in economical utilization of supplies and ensures that equipment and nursing units are maintained in a clean, safe manner. Applies safety principles when performing care, such as ambulation of patients, transferring patients, assisting with normal range of motion and positioning. Assists in performance improvement (PI) activities by serving on PI teams as warranted, assisting with PI measures and supporting and implementing changes necessary for improvement. Demonstrates working knowledge of order entry process and transcription of physician orders. Maintains well organized, well-supplied, clean nursing unit. Maintains statistics/logs as required by the unit Manager/Director.

DCH Standards:

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.
• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Approved previous experience in giving patient care or completion of in-service education classes required. Approved previous experience in clerical functions or completion of in-service education required. High school education or equivalent required. Candidates with patient care experience, those currently enrolled in a nursing program or those with prior customer service experience are preferred. Requires computer and/or computer software knowledge or experience. Current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider training required. Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.

WORK CONTEXT

Communicate with different personalities and engage in face to face discussion

Dealing with unpleasant or physically aggressive personalities

Must be able to deal with conflict

Must be able to communicate clearly and accurately

Must be able to receive delegation

Must be able to work in groups

Must be able to perform structured and unstructured work

Must be meet time pressure and time lines

Must be able to perform in exact and accurate manner

Must be able to use electronic mail, telephone and texting

Includes possible exposure to human body fluids, disease, infection, lab chemicals and hazardous materials and/or cleaning solutions

Requires wearing of common protective and safety equipment such as gloves, safety glasses, mask, gowns, etc.

PHYSICAL FACTORS

Very heavy work. Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Must be able to tolerate prolonged periods of standing and walking

Must be able to reach reasonable distances in any direction

Must be able to stand, walk, kneel, bend, sit, stoop and lift

Must be able to run in an emergency

Must be able to move fingers in a coordinated manner and must be able to feel and perceive temperature, texture, shape and size with fingertips

Must be able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation

Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range

Must possess stamina to work 12-hour shift

Physical presence onsite is essential