Address
Form of workPOSITION SUMMARY:
Functions as an integral member of the unit-based care delivery teamby performing a variety of technical components essential to the ongoing delivery of quality patient care. Performs a variety of generic and population-specific technical activities which support the delivery of optimal patient care while maintaining the highest level of patient safety.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under the general direction of the Unit Director and the direct supervision of the Clinical Nurse Manager/Registered Nurse, in accordance with regulations established by the State Board of Nursing, Joint Commission and nursing practice standards as determined by the Nursing Organization, the incumbent performs the following functions:
1. Performs a variety of direct patient care activities which fall within the scope of LNA practice as defined by the State Board of Nursing and Catholic Medical Center Nursing Organization policies and procedures.
2. Utilizes basic knowledge of growth and development and awareness of age-appropriate care, to provide care for patients across the life span.
3. Assists the Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, or physician to perform selected patient care activities or tasks as appropriate.
4. Reports all observations, symptoms, deviations from normal, and changes in patient's condition to the Registered Nurse and/or Licensed Practical Nurse.
5. Performs patient rounds, responds to patient call bells promptly and communicates with appropriate staff to meet patient needs.
6. Provides basic support to patients and families in response to identified psychosocial needs and cultural and religious preferences.
7. Performs or assists patient in the completion of activities of daily living. Assists nursing staff with patient ambulation, transfers, range of motion and repositioning as required.
8. Anticipates patient needs and asks patient about the need for toileting, fluid, nutrition, and comfort measures. Maintains patient privacy and dignity.
9. Participates in admitting patient by bringing patient to room and orients patient to surroundings.
10. Documents in selected areas of the medical record, as appropriate, according to policies and procedures.
11. Performs 12-lead Electrocardiograms (EKG) as directed.
12. Assists with patient transport as required and assist in transporting/obtaining medications, specimens, blood products, and patient care supplies as needed.
13. Ensures safe patient movement by utilizing appropriate lifting equipment/transfer devices.
14. Collaboratively works with multidisciplinary team, maintains good communication; establishes and maintains positive working relationships with patients and families, co-workers, and the public.
15. Ability to demonstrate courtesy, compassion and respect in relating to patients, families, visitors, physicians and coworkers.
16. Acts as a resource and educates unit staff regarding relevant clinical practices and procedures. Participates in orientation of new staff. Performs as preceptor when requested.
17. Incorporates safety principles, policies and procedures into daily practice. Follows all infection control/Standard Precautions policies.
18. Ensures confidentiality of all patient, employee, legal, budget, and Catholic Medical Center matters.
19. Ascertains appropriate patient preparation for laboratory and diagnostic exams.
20. Performs Capillary Blood Glucose (CBG) monitoring, as delegated, and downloads the information into the patient's electronic medical record.
21. Stocks carts and ensures equipment is cleaned after use.
22. Participates in routine unit-based quality monitoring activities such as crash cart/defibrillator checks and blood glucose monitor QC.
23. Participates in restocking department inventory and supplies. Orders and maintains supplies in accordance with unit par levels. Checks expiration date of supplies and immediately removes outdated material and report's findings to RN.
24. Exercises care in the operation and use of equipment and reference materials. Performs routine cleaning and preventative maintenance to ensure continued functioning of equipment. Reports problems with equipment and supplies to RN and follows Environment of Care Defective Equipment policy. Maintains work areas in a clean, safe and organized manner.
25. Participates in activities to promote improved patient care. Makes suggestions to improve the quality of patient care and services and the functioning of the department. Verbalizes the impact of process improvement projects in relation to role.
26. Demonstrates awareness of and practices cost-effective use of resources.
27. Performs designated direct care and environmental duties based upon unit needs.
28. Care reflects knowledge of, and support of, the mission statement of Catholic Medical Center and of the unit.
29. Carries out appropriate duties in all hospital codes, other emergency situations, and fire/disaster drills.
30. Demonstrates accountability for maintaining current credentials and competency in required skills.
31. Demonstrates self-direction in pursuing opportunities for role-related growth and development. Utilizes the self-evaluation process for career development. Ability to accept constructive feedback and initiate appropriate actions to correct situations.
32. Ability to perform all activities outlined in the department specific orientation guidelines.
33. Willingness to identify and take action toward meeting own learning needs.
34. Attends staff meetings and mandatory training sessions.
35. Seeks and accepts other duties as work is completed.
36. Performs similar or related duties as required or directed.
37. Conforms to attendance requirements.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Individuals must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities and to possess the necessary physical requirements, with or without the aid of mechanical devices to safely perform the essential functions of the job.
1. Ability to deliver patient care in a manner that is appropriate to patient's age, physical ability and intellectual development. Must demonstrate proficiency in assessing treatment and responses and adapting care to meet the needs of the patient population served; adult size adolescent, adult and/or geriatric.
2. Physical requirements include ability to bend body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist; bend legs at knee to come to rest on knee or knees; bend the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine; extend hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction; move about on foot to accomplish tasks; use upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward, or outward; use upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul, or tug objects in a sustained motion; raise objects from a lower to a higher position or move objects horizontally from position to position; pick, pinch, type or otherwise work with fingers rather than the whole hand or arm; apply pressure to an object with fingers and palm; perceive attributes of objects such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.
3. Ability to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word. Essential functions include activities in which incumbent must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to patients, physicians, families and other employees accurately, loudly or quickly.
4. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and make fine discrimination in sound.
5. Basic computer keyboarding and data entry skills required. Requires the ability to utilize and navigate electronic clinical documentation system in order to enter patient data.
6. Visual acuity sufficient for work which deals largely with visual inspection involving small anatomic or physiologic details as well as the whole patient, and sufficient for preparing and analyzing data and figures, accounting, transcription, computer terminal operation, extensive reading and visual inspection involving small parts/defects.
7. Ability to plan and perform diversified duties requiring basic knowledge of a variety of clinical tasks and the use of a wide range of procedures. Involves some exercise of judgment in the analysis of facts and conditions regarding individual problems or transactions to determine what actions should be taken within the limits of standard practice.
8. Ability to work in surroundings which may subject incumbent to inside environmental conditions without protection from temperature changes; hazards include proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, exposure to high heat and exposure to drugs and chemicals; atmospheric conditions with one or more conditions that affect the respiratory system or the skin (i.e., fumes, odors, dust, mists, gases).
9. Ability to wear protective clothing such as respirator, mask, glove, head cover, lead apron, safety glasses and safety shoes.
10. Ability to independently follow standard practices for routine procedures, referring questions or problems to supervisor.
11. Ability to exert up to 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. (Strength Factor: M-Medium Work)
12. Ability to communicate and interact effectively with adult patients age 18 and over, geriatric patients, occasional adolescent patients, families, co-workers, physicians, and staff from other departments.
WORK SCHEDULE:
Work schedule may include 4-12 hours per day with weekend coverage based on individual unit needs.
Personnel may be expected to cover for patient care needs by rotating or working extra shifts.
Personnel are assigned to one area upon employment, but may be required to assume assignments in other areas to meet patient needs.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education:
High school diploma or equivalent.
Experience:
Basic computer keyboarding and data entry skills required.
Requires the ability to utilize and navigate electronic clinical documentation system in order to enter patient data.
Licensure/Certification:
Current registration in the State of New Hampshire as a Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA).
BLS certified. If not BLS certified, must obtain BLS certification prior to completion of orientation, not to exceed 21 days from date of hire with Catholic Medical Center. Must maintain BLS throughout employment. (Nursing Float Pool must obtain prior to employment.)
