Job Profile Summary
This role focuses on providing professional and nonprofessional nursing care services in accordance with physician orders. In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Nursing Support duties: Provides basic care services to patients, but does not have an RN or LPN license. Positions in this nursing support work under the direction of physicians, mid-level practitioners, and may work under the direction of registered nurses depending on their unit. A clinical technologist role that has specialized knowledge or skills gained through a combination of vocational education, training, and experience. This role will be most commonly applied to patient care and/or scientific/laboratory jobs. An experienced level role requiring basic knowledge of job procedures and tools obtained through work experience and requiring vocational or technical education. Works under moderate supervision, works through problems of a routine nature, but may at times require interpretation or deviation from standard procedures and communicates information that requires some explanation or interpretation.
Job Overview
This position works under the supervision of the professional nurse and collaborates to meet the needs of the patient within the scope of the role. Responsibilities may include assisting in direct patient care, providing environmental support, facilitating patient safety, and perform a variety of clerical duties. This position may communicate with other departments associated with patient care in order to maintain high levels of customer services and efficient functioning of the unit. This position facilitates an environment supportive of the patient and family centered model of care.
Job Description
Minimum Qualifications:
1. High School diploma or equivalent.
2. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
Preferred Qualifications:
1. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Medical Assistant (MA)
2. Completion of Nursing Fundamentals in an accredited Nursing program.
3. One (1) year recent experience as a Nursing Assistant (NA), Patient Care Assistant (PCA), Critical Care Tech (CCT) or Patient Care Tech (PCT).
4. Prior experience in acute care.
Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.
1. Under the direction of clinical staff, performs all aspects of activities of daily living (ADLs) including: Prepares patient room for admission; Maintains a clean and safe environment for the patient; Prioritizes patient care according to nursing direction, and discharge plan; Transports patient to procedures/discharge within/from hospital as directed; Cleans and operates equipment safely and correctly; and Prepares patients for meals, assists with meals or feeds patient as necessary.
2. Demonstrates ability to perform technical tasks, such as use of glucometer, lift assisted devices, collect specimens, 12 Lead EKG, Simple dressings, wound care, applies approved orthopedic splints/ dressings.
3. Responsible for care of biomedical equipment, checking par levels and working order for BP cuffs, EKG cables, leads, oximeter cables, etc. Sends malfunctioning equipment to Medical Engineering per established procedure.
4. Collects, records and reports accurate patient data in a timely manner. Maintains paper components in each patient chart.
5. Greets visitors in a professional, friendly manner and directs to appropriate destination. Ensures that the patient and family members are attended to in a caring and attentive manner, responding to the needs of patients/family members in a timely manner and maintaining a professional and friendly demeanor at all times.
6. Functions as a Patient Sitter when needed by maintaining continuous observation of a patient as outlined in the Constant Observation guidelines.
7. Answers phone in professional and friendly manner and directs caller to appropriate person
8. Screens all persons requesting access to the department for appropriateness of entry. Enforces department security policies.
9. Completes administrative duties regarding patient admission, transfer, and discharges in an organized and timely manner. Performs all clerical duties involved with ordering labs, x-ray’s, EKG’s and procedures.
10. Provides transportation of patients using appropriate mode: Ambulatory, Wheelchair, or Stretcher
11. May assist with procedures requiring aseptic technique during of peri-operative care. Applies principles of Follows nursing policies and procedures regarding instrument, needle and sponge counts. Anticipates the needs of the surgeon and assistant during the operative procedure.
12. May assist other team members upon the completion of surgery (i.e. moving the patients, assists in room clean-up). Assembles and processes instruments and transports to CSR for sterilization.
13. Contributes to a positive work environment by maintaining open communications with others by Introducing self to patients and family, asking patients and family how they would prefer to be addressed, positively accepting assignments, interacts effectively with coworkers, accepts constructive feedback on behavior, and negotiates all scheduled breaks with nurse to ensure adequate coverage to meet the patient and unit needs
14. Performs tasks to ensure a clean, clutter-free and safe work environment for patient’s and staff including: Cleaning and stocks equipment and supplies; Reporting non-functioning equipment and other environmental problems to the appropriate individuals in a timely manner.
Physical Requirements:
1. Prolonged, extensive, or considerable standing/walking.
2. Lifts, positions, pushes and/or transfer patients and equipment.
3. Considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching.
4. Frequent exposure to hazardous chemicals, sick patients, bodily substances, noise and possible exposure to radiation, lasers, electric shock, etc.
5. Regularly exposed to the risk of blood borne diseases and other transmissible infections.
6. Contact with patients under wide variety of circumstances.
7. Subject to varying and unpredictable situations.
8. Subjected to irregular hours.
9. May have contact with hazardous materials.
Skills & Abilities:
1. Ability to assist in providing care for a designated group of patients under the direction of a licensed nurse and according to unit guidelines hospital policies, procedures and protocols.
2. Excellent interpersonal skills to interact effectively with patients, visitors, and hospital personnel.
3. Able to perform in stressful situations and handle multiple priorities simultaneously while maintaining a positive and approachable demeanor.
4. Knowledge of computer systems and software (Microsoft Office) with ability to learn and retain new applications.
5. Has the skills and knowledge to provide care to the age groups of the population served including: 6. Knowledge of growth and development; Provide age-appropriate communication.
6. Ability to work under stressful conditions, adapting to the changing pace on the unit, frequent interruptions, emergencies and critically ill patients.
Tufts Medicine is a leading integrated health system bringing together the best of academic and community healthcare to deliver exceptional, connected and accessible care experiences to consumers across Massachusetts. Comprised of Tufts Medical Center, Lowell General Hospital, MelroseWakefield Hospital, Lawrence Memorial Hospital of Medford, Care at Home - an expansive home care network, and large integrated physician network. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusion at Tufts Medicine. Tufts Medicine does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, national origin, gender identity and/or expression, marital status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation by emailing us at careers@tuftsmedicine.org.