NURSE TECH

Description JOB SUMMARY: Assist professional nursing personnel in providing patient care in assigned areas to patients. Duties to be performed under the supervision of a licensed nurse once nurse tech has completed orientation to the Medical Surgical unit, and been deemed competent and completed all skills check offs.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: Performs all job responsibilities in alignment with the mission and vision of the organization. Performs other duties as required and completes all job functions as per departmental policies and procedures. Maintains current knowledge in present areas of responsibility (i.e., self-education, attends ongoing educational programs). Attends staff meetings and completes mandatory in-services and requirements and competency evaluations on time. Wears protective clothing and equipment as appropriate. GENERAL SKILLS: Ability to communicate in English, both verbally and in writing. Additional languages preferred. Strong written and verbal skills. Basic Computer Skills WORKING CONDITIONS: General environment: Works in a well-lighted, air-conditioned area, with moderate noise levels. May be exposed to high noise levels and bright lights. May be exposed to limited hazardous substances or body fluids, or infectious organisms. May be required to change from one task to another or different nature without loss of efficiency or composure. Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur. May be scheduled as needed including overtime. PHYSICAL REQUIRMENTS & DEMANDS: Have near normal hearing: Hear alarms/telephone/normal speaking voice. Have near normal vision: Clarity of vision (both near and far), ability to distinguish colors. Have good manual dexterity. Have good eye-hand foot coordination. Ability to perform repetitive tasks/motion. Continuously within shift (67-100%): Standing, Walking. Frequently within shift (34-66%): Bending/Stooping, Pushing/Pulling, Lift/carry up to 20lbs, Lift/carry greater than 20 lbs. with assistance. Occasionally within shift (1-33%): Sitting, Climbing, Twist at waist, Lift/Carry greater than 50 lbs. with assistance, Reaching above shoulder. MISSION STATEMENT: QUALITY HEALTHCARE: In our continuing effort to enhance the quality of life for the communities we serve, the Hospital Authority of Miller County is committed to the delivery of superior, safe, cost-effective healthcare through the provisions of education prevention, diagnosis and treatment. JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES: Consults with and keeps supervisor informed of unit activities, needs and problems related to patient care. Complies with established nursing standards. Maintains established department, unit, hospital policies, procedures, objectives, quality assurance, safety, environmental and infection control. Follows established routines and utilize supplies and equipment in a cost-effective manner. Maintains a clean, orderly, safe environment for patients and personnel. Completes orientation to the Medical Surgical unit in a timely manner. Completes skills check off for: Central/PICC/lifeport dressing changes, wound dressing changes, tracheostomy inline suctioning, telemetry setup and monitoring, colostomy care, urostomy care, PEG tub dressing changes and care, observation ONLY of medication administration procedure, discontinuation of peripheral IV’s, insertion of foley catheter, in and out urine collections, insertion of fecal cath, glucose checks and NG tube placement. Cooperates with other personnel to achieve department objectives and maintain good employee interdepartmental and public relations. Maintains patient rights and confidentiality of patient information, and abides by established communications code. Fosters teamwork by offering assistance to others. Responds to requests in a prompt, friendly manner. Avoids excessive unscheduled absence. Accrues 12 hours of continuing education per year as policy states. Demonstrates a calm, professional manner during a crisis or emergency situation. Determines specific nursing intervention to resolve patient problems. Documents attendance at continuing education programs. Reports for scheduled shift on time; prepared to assume duties. Reports to work in proper uniform or attire. Adheres to dress code. Varies work schedule of shift (working overtime, leaves early when requested, work shift other than regularly scheduled as required) to meet department staffing needs. Attends and participates in meetings and is responsible for all information communicated at meetings. Infant / Children Modifies the interview techniques to adequately assess the child patient by identifying the physical psychosocial, and educational needs common to this age group. Observes parent / child interactions and child’s general appearance, i.e. abuse, neglect. Provides education / explanation in easily understood terms to reduce stress/ fear. Encourages and supports presence of family. Adolescent Modifies the interview techniques to adequately assess the adolescent patient by identifying the physical, psychosocial, and educational needs common to this age group. Recognizes patient’s needs to assert independence and reluctance to express dependency needs and anxiety about hospitalization. Modifies interventions to meet these needs. Provides reassurance and support when there is anxiety regarding potential altered body images. Provides for privacy. Recognizes need for peer support. Provides teaching specific to educational needs with routine reinforcement because of tendency toward denial and non-compliance. Adult Modifies the interview techniques to adequately assess the adult patient by identifying the physical, psychosocial, and educational needs common to this age group. Recognizes potential for increased stress related to dependency needs of others, i.e. children, elderly parents, anxiety regarding lifestyle changes due to illness. Identifies fear related to potential altered body image. Geriatric Modifies the interview techniques to adequately assess the geriatric patient by identifying the physical, psychosocial, and educational needs common to this age group. Identifies increased physical / emotional dependency needs and availability of support networks. Recognizes potential for compromised skin integrity and provides preventative measures. Monitors intake of prescribed diet and other nutritional supplements each meal. Notes changes in elimination patterns. Identifies increased sensitivity to climate changes. Provides heating and cooling as needed. Determines presence of disability affecting mobility and sensory acuity and provides for safety measures. Modifies provision of nursing interventions to reflect the responses unique to the geriatric patient. Applies To All Age Groups Greets and orients patient to room. Completes admission vital signs, height, and weight within 15 minutes of admission. Records weight accurately - reports Re-checks patient’s vital signs every 4 hours or as ordered / instructed by nurse. Records weights accurately and reports changes. Communicates patient care needs or changes to the primary nurse or Charge Nurse throughout the shift and as necessary. Responsible for following privacy concepts and other policies as stated in the HIPAA policy and procedures. Patient Documentation Knows patient rights and responsibilities / information management. Reports completely, briefly, and accurately re: patient status when transferring responsibility of care to another person/shift. Utilization Management Program Avoids excessive unscheduled absence. Participates in the hospital’s risk management program by reporting all untoward events or abnormal findings to the Charge Nurse at time of occurrence. Assesses individual patient rooms and unit environment for safe / sanitary conditions. Corrects or reports hazardous or unsafe conditions. Identifies, sequesters, and reports malfunctioning equipment to the appropriate person immediately. Utilizes supplies and equipment with efficiency and c