Position Summary / Career Interest:

Unit 45 Medical Telemetry - Observation. This fast paced 26 bed medical telemetry unit provides advanced and specialized care to patients with a variety of medical conditions including heart failure, renal failure, liver failure, respiratory complications, infections and many other diagnoses that may require continuous cardiac monitoring. Our nurses have the opportunity to work closely as part of a multidisciplinary team, and through this, develop the expertise to care for our diverse patient population. Average length of stay of patients on this unit is less than 48 hours. Many admissions/discharges. Quick turnaround. The Patient Care Assistant is an unlicensed staff member who is accountable to and completes delegated tasks from the RN in a caring and culturally sensitive manner, with excellent customer service at all times. Demonstrates competence in the areas of critical thinking, interpersonal relationships, and technical skills related to delegated tasks. Provides basic nursing skills, including but not limited to: Vital signs and pulse oximetry; finger stick blood glucose; ADL's; recording intake and output; collecting urine, stool, sputum specimens; apply/remove compression hose; SCDs etc.; emptying drains, urinary catheters, NG tubes, and ostomies; additional skills to meet unit needs. Documents in O2 all tasks, I&O, percentage of meals eaten, etc. Maintains a neat, clutter free and clean patient room and work environment. Maintains a safe patient environment to include High Fall Risk interventions as appropriate for high fall risk patients. This can include but not limited to: hourly rounds; answering call lights in person, promptly for all patients on the unit. Demonstrates proper hand hygiene, standard precautions, and isolation principles. They care for the patient in restraints; including ROM and fluids/toileting; reorienting confused patients; reinforcement of patient/family education regarding fall and safety precautions. Promptly notifies the RN of change in vital signs from baseline or expected result, change in mental status or condition, any breakdown in skin integrity or redness of skin, patient report of pain, any other patient needs, concerns or issues. Must complete other duties as assigned.


Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions

• Must be able to perform the professional, clinical and/or technical competencies of the assigned unit or department.
• Provides basic nursing skills, including but not limited to: vital signs and pulse oximetry; finger stick blood glucose; ADL’s; recording intake and output; collecting urine, stool, sputum specimens; applying/removing compression hose; SCDs etc.; emptying drains, urinary catheters, NG tubes, and ostomies. Additional skills to meet unit needs.
• Documents in O2 all tasks, I&O, percentage of meals eaten, etc.
• Maintains a neat, clutter free and clean patient room and work environment.
• Maintains a safe patient environment to include High Fall Risk interventions as appropriate for high fall risk patients. This can include but is not limited to: hourly rounds; answering call lights in person, promptly for all patients on the unit.
• Demonstrates proper hand hygiene, standard precautions, and isolation principles.
• Cares for the patient in restraints, including ROM and fluids/toileting; reorienting confused patients; reinforcement of patient/family education regarding fall and safety precautions.
• Promptly notifies the RN of change in vital signs from baseline or expected result, change in mental status or condition, any breakdown in skin integrity or redness of skin, patient report of pain, and any other patient needs, concerns or issues.
• Must be able to perform the professional, clinical and or technical competencies of the assigned unit or department.
• These statements are intended to describe the essential functions of the job and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Skills and duties may vary dependent upon your department or unit. Other duties may be assigned as required.

Required Education and Experience

• High School Graduate or GED

Required Licensure and Certification

• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BLS or BCLS) - American Heart Association (AHA) within 14 days
• Certified Nursing Assistant / Aide - CNA - State Department for Aging and Disability Services (Health Occupations Credentialing) OR
• Medical Assistant Diploma OR
• Documentation of Fundamentals of Nursing Course verifying required basic skills (required at time of hire) OR
• Minimum of 18 months in a specialty tech position OR
• Completion of the Gold Standard Intern Program/Acute Care School with University of Kansas Health System

We are an equal employment opportunity employer without regard to a person’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), national origin, ancestry, age (40 or older), disability, veteran status or genetic information.