Nurse Technician,Full-Time Day, Infusion Center, High Point Medical Center

8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Monday-Friday

Nurse Technician, High Point Medical Center

Job Summary

Performs designated basic patient care, related nursing tasks, and clerical functions related to requisitioning/charging supplies/services, preparing/maintaining unit records/patient charts, receiving/relaying communications to provide optimal/quality care consistent with Hospital mission and Nursing philosophy, goals, standards, and bylaws. Serves as unit receptionist in enhancing the image of High Point Regional Health and Inpatient Administration. Provides general information for patients, families, visitors, and other employees. Assists Licensed Nurse in the implementation of nursing care.

Education

• Successful completion of a North Carolina Board of Nursing Aide I approved training program/competency evaluation required.
• High School Diploma or GED General Studies Required*

Certifications, Licensures and Registrations

• CPR certification American Heart Association Required
• Nurse Aide I Registration Division of Facility Services Nurse Aide I Registry Required

Experience

No prior experience required.

Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to be flexible, prioritize and organize workload, and maintain emotional stability required.
• Basic knowledge of medical terminology and abbreviations required.
• Ability to demonstrate verbal and written communication skills and comprehend English required.
• Successful completion of General Hospital Orientation

Job Specific Duties

-Patient Observation: Observes and reports the patient's general appearance/behavior/response to basic care, procedures, and treatments. Observes characteristics of patient's urine, stool, and drainage and reports abnormalities/changes. Observes patient receiving intravenous therapy and reports to nurse immediately any disruptions/disconnections/swelling and patient complaints of pain/discomfort at site. Observes and reports skin abnormalities and provides appropriate therapeutic measures. Observes patient care equipment for proper functioning and reports any malfunctions to the Licensed Nurse. Reports to the licensed nurse any abnormal vital signs and changes in patient behavior.

-Patient Care: Maintains patient care environment in a safe and organized manner with necessities within reach. Sets priorities in patient care/delegated treatments and clerical functions, consulting RN as changes occur and assistance is needed. Assists patient with elimination activities (bedpan, urinal, bedside commode, bathroom, bladder/bowel training) as condition indicates/directed by the nurse. Provides hygiene for the incontinent patient. Performs hygienic/comfort measures (complete/partial/tub/ sits bath, occupied/ unoccupied bed, back rub, mouth/hair/ skin/nail care, denture care, changing gown, HS care). Performs and documents therapeutic measures (enemas, perineal/catheter care, unsterile heat/cold application, elastic/ therapeutic stockings, glucometers). Applies EKG monitor leads correctly and obtains glucometers. Checks, turns, and repositions the bedfast/incontinent patient every two hours. Provides 1:1 monitoring of patient as directed.

-Patient Information & Documentation: Obtains and documents patient temperature, pulse, respirations, heart rate, blood pressure, and pulse oximetry as required on admission and throughout hospitalization. Reports to the Licensed Nurse abnormal vital signs and changes in patient behavior. Obtains and documents patient heights/weights as required on admission and throughout hospitalization. Measures and documents patient's fluid intake/output accurately. Checks/records patient's diet/activity level/observations/ treatments/nursing care plan on worksheet and gathers all needed equipment in organizing/beginning patient care. Collects urine/stool/sputum specimens as directed by the Licensed Nurse.

-Patient Dietary Assistance: Prepares patient for meals and assists or feeds patient and documents percentage eaten on Patient Care Profile. Maintains fresh water and distributes juices/nourishments/ dietary supplies as directed/requested by patient. Forces or restricts fluids as ordered/directed.

-Patient Transfer/Discharge: Assists in the admission/transfer/discharge process and safe management of personal belongings. Assists patient in ambulation, transfer to chair/stretcher/ commode and uses lifts as needed.

-Patient Environment: Maintains unit and patient care environment in a clean and neat manner by emptying linen hampers, trash receptacles and cleaning the refrigerator as directed by the Licensed Nurse. Changes linens for occupied/unoccupied beds and maintains clean, dry, wrinkle-free linens according to patient needs. Obtains/returns/cleans equipment as directed. Verifies all components of equipment carts/bundles are included before returning for cleaning.

-Patient Records: Inspects and maintains patient charts each shift for need of adding labels, forms, and documents or thinning records. Assembles/maintains an extra supply of patient charts. Revises patient/nursing data as changes occur. (i.e. Level of Care, Accommodation Codes). Assists with requests for sending/receiving patient records to/from other facilities (EMTALA, Radiology CDs). Serves as a resource for order entry. Assists with entry of written orders. Prints appropriate forms according to orders received. Assists with printing forms/documents for discharge instructions. Enters follow up appointment(s) information in electronic medical record to print on discharge instructions. Labels all patient record forms, lab/miscellaneous requisitions and reviews charts for completion/disassemble at discharge.

-Call Lights: Answers call lights.

-Communication: Relays verbal/telephone messages promptly/accurately. Utilizes appropriate medical terminology in oral/written communications. Notifies admitting Office of admissions and requests for transfers. Enters intents to discharge, discharges, and transfers as they occur. Collects/distributes mail/communication to appropriate persons/charts.

-Phone Etiquette: Answers telephone promptly utilizing proper identification, telephone etiquette. Refers physician telephone calls for orders to nurse.

-Customer Focus: Ensures excellent customer service to patients including excellent communication, treating them in a caring manner, being timely regarding treatment and being professional in their care. Promotes department to physicians, hospital and community in a positive manner at all times. Greets, directs, and provides general information to customers. Updates healthcare team of patient location (i.e. out of room for planned procedure, surgery, radiology exam). Serves as customer escort to destinations.

-Supplies & Equipment: Assesses nursing unit needs for supplies and maintains floor stock as determined by Manager/Coordinator/Charge Nurse using electronic requisition ordering system. Assesses/charges for supplies, equipment and special patient procedures/ therapies daily. Delivers necessary requisitions and specimens to proper department.

-Teamwork & Support: Assists in the standard pre-operative/post-operative care procedures as directed by the Licensed Nurse. Performs surgical/orthopedic skin preps and surgical scrubs as needed. Performs post-mortem care as needed. Demonstrates initiative in seeking out patient care/unit maintenance tasks/assisting co-workers. Completes unit assignments on patient assignment sheet as indicated by Charge Nurse/Unit Coordinator. Updates oncoming Technician/Unit Secretary/Nursing Assistant/Charge Nurse regarding work completed and work to be done. Assists with orientation of new Technicians/Unit Secretaries/nursing personnel. Assists Coordinator/Charge Nurse with patient flow and throughput. Operates/utilizes Nurse Call system in an expedient manner and updates system as needed. Responds to Nurse Call system and provides customer service support when appropriate (i.e. fill water pitchers, help order meals, provide blankets, adjust room temperature, assist with television/radio).

-Meetings & Updates: Promotes a positive work environment with co-workers and other customers. Attends/participates in a minimum of 75% of unit staff meetings. Attends a minimum of 3 hours of continuing education programs (100% completion of mandatory programs). Reviews memos/communication book/bulletin boards/ minutes of staff meetings to maintain current knowledge of hospital communications.

-Professionalism: Upholds a professional working relationship at all times and adheres to department rules. Practices teamwork and adheres to Standards of Behavior.

-Other Duties: Performs other duties as assigned by management.

Physical and Behavioral Requirements

Physical requirements include:

• Lifting 15 pounds from waist to crown,
• Front carrying 25 pounds a distance of 150 feet,
• Walking frequently.
• Pulling 100 pounds,
• Sense of touch is required to evaluate patient’s vital signs.
• Manual finger dexterity for writing, equipment operation (maneuvering wheelchairs/beds), and positioning and moving patients.
• Repetitive squatting,
• Lifting or carrying 55 pounds horizontally for 2 feet,
• Rotation in standing,
• Lifting 40 pounds from floor to waist,
• Forward bending in standing for 5 minutes,
• Standing for 5 minutes, and
• Pushing 80 pounds,
• Ability to effectively manage a high stress environment resulting from patient volume..
• Ability to speak and hear is required to effectively communicate with patients, family members, physicians, and staff.
• Gripping 50 pounds with each hand,
• Visual acuity required for accurately reading and documenting patient charts and observing patients.
• Sense of smell required for safety issues.