The Unit secretary/Nursing assistant (US/CNA) is a member of the MercyOne – Dubuque Medical Center healthcare team and performs clerical, receptionist and assistive duties under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse and the Director. The US/CNA completes clerical work and provides holistic, compassionate, individualized, and effective patient care as well as meeting other physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of our patients consistent with the mission, vision, values and cultural beliefs of MercyOne, evidence-based standards of care, and established policies and procedures.
SCOPE OF SERVICE:
Function in a nursing assistant role under the supervision of the Registered Nurse retaining accountability for one’s own actions and behaviors. Carry out the MercyOne mission, vision, values and cultural beliefs. Always respect the rights of an individual or group. Respect the confidentiality of an individual or group, unless obligated to disclose under proper authorization or legal compulsion. Continuously seek out opportunities to improve the quality of patient care delivery through innovative and creative problem solving. Support and participate in shared leadership and interdisciplinary decision-making. Contribute to the positive image of the nursing profession and enhance the magnetic culture of the organization by modeling professional behavior both in the organization and in the community. Seek feedback concerning one’s own practice. Serve as a mentor to students, new nursing assistants, peers, other colleagues, and staff. Embrace change and lifelong learning, taking personal accountability to seek out experiences that enhance the ability to maintain skills and competence in clinical practice and role performance.
ESSENTIALS FUNCTIONS
Effectively utilize written and oral communication. Write legibly. Be assertive when necessary and as appropriate. Able to function with frequent interruptions. Possess organizational skills. Display effective communication with a polite, compassionate, caring attitude, and demonstrate responsiveness to needs of patients and families consistent with the Caring Model Principles. Function as a unit secretary for the nursing unit by screening and routing incoming calls and visitors. Communicate routine information to patients and visitors. Perform computer activities and maintain equipment in proper working order. Demonstrate specific customer focused behaviors and promote customer satisfaction consistent with the Mercy Customer Service Standards. Perform clerical duties including assembling charts and compiling reports and records. Promote and establish effective relationships within the department, with other departments, physicians, and with hospital guests and clients. Take an active role in enhancing abilities to carry out job functions through professional/job related growth and development. Provide physical, emotional, and spiritual support to the patient/family with respect to age specific and culturally sensitive needs as described in the department’s scope of service. Perform EKGs as directed by nursing staff. Notify Patient Access staff of ambulance arrivals. Tear down ED charts ensuring that parts of the chart are delivered to the right destination. Fax forms as needed (e.g., pharmacy, EMS). Assist with other office duties as assigned. Greet patients and assist with transferring them to and from ED stretcher; dressing/undressing. Assist patients into and out of their vehicles. Check for TSOH urine drug screens daily and take down to SPD for delivery. Set up for procedures (e.g., suturing, chest tube insertion). Clean exam rooms and equipment between patients. Check oxygen tanks and supplies in rooms daily; stock and order supplies as needed. Assist with stocking and maintenance of specialty carts (e.g., trauma, ENT, eye). Document restraint checks in the electronic medical record. Assist with CPR as directed. Answer call lights. Assist with the proper application of equipment (e.g., splints). Retrieve banked blood from the laboratory. Adhere to the principles of caring and expected behaviors outlined in MercyOne's Model of Caring and Trinity Health's Code of Conduct, fostering a climate where all customers are treated in a manner consistent with MercyOne's mission and values. Maintain a working knowledge of applicable Federal, State and local laws and regulations, Trinity Health’s Organizational Integrity Program, Standards of Conduct, as well as other policies and procedures in order to ensure adherence in a manner that reflects honest, ethical and professional behavior Performs other duties consistent with purpose of job as directed.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
Maintain a professional, collaborative work environment to foster a positive public image for MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center. Know and adhere to all laws and regulations pertaining to patient health, safety and medical information (i.e. HIPAA, Stark, etc.) Provide a high level of customer responsiveness and serve as a role model to encourage a commitment to customer service. A strong service orientation is required. Maintain an excellent working relationship within the department and with all of our internal and external customers. Handle interactions with discretion, tact and courtesy when dealing with sensitive issues and confidential information. Possess well developed communication skills; strong interpersonal and collaborative skills with physicians and other healthcare professionals; strong decision making skills that support patient care needs and ethical standards; and the ability to organize work and set appropriate priorities. Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to relate to people across all levels and diverse backgrounds. Ensure that services are provided in a manner that supports continuous performance improvement and customer-oriented focus. Keep charge nurse/Director informed about important issues. Maintain professionalism in both dress and conduct on the job. Demonstrate an understanding of organizational dynamics and administrative procedures and protocols. Function in a dynamic, fast-paced team environment and cope with ambiguity, time constraints, and other daily stressors in an effective and appropriate manner. Demonstrate time management, prioritization and organizational skills including an ability and willingness to plan, organize and accomplish tasks accurately and in a timely manner, to exercise sound judgment under pressure and to manage multiple and competing activities simultaneously. Must be able to work independently and productively in a fast-paced setting involving multi-task functions and projects. Ability to plan, organize and perform duties with minimal supervision and with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail. Proven ability to identify, compile and present data effectively from many different sources for management decision-making. Possess advanced analytical skills. Demonstrate initiative. Assigned hours within your shift, starting time, or days of work are subject to change based on the changing needs of the department and/or the organization.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:
In an 8-hour day, the employee must sit for 2 hours, stand for 3 hours, and walk for 3 hours at a minimum. Job requires (21-50% of work time) bending, stooping, reaching above shoulder level, pushing and pulling. Job requires the ability to frequently (21-50% of work time) lift and carry objects weighing approximately 11-24 pounds. Job requires exposure to marked changes in temperature and humidity and possible exposure to infectious disease, hazardous waste and chemicals. Must have fine motor and manual dexterity skills to grip and manipulate items and perform repetitive action such as computer entry. Requires visual acuity, the ability to speak and the ability to hear speech. Must adhere to applicable organizational requirements on an annual basis for Employee Health directives.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES
(EDUCATION, LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED):
Must be 18 years of age. Certification in a 75-hour CNA program required.
Must be on the Iowa CNA registry.
High school diploma or GED equivalent. Child and Dependent Adult Abuse Mandatory Reporter Training is required within 6 months of hire and every 3 years thereafter. Basic Life Support Certification (BLS) will be required within 30 days of hire and every 2 years thereafter.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Trinity Health is one of the largest not-for-profit, Catholic healthcare systems in the nation. Built on the foundation of our Mission and Core Values, we integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion in all that we do. Our colleagues have different lived experiences, customs, abilities, and talents. Together, we become our best selves. A diverse and inclusive workforce provides the most accessible and equitable care for those we serve. Trinity Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by law.