Unit Assistant UA - STICU - PT Days

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Work Shift/Schedule:

Northeast Georgia Health System is rooted in a foundation of improving the health of our communities.

The Surgical Trauma Intensive Care Unit (STICU) provides comprehensive care to surgical, trauma, orthopedic and neurological patients requiring intense monitoring and nursing care. The 16 beds have bedside monitors. Patient care in the STICU includes early detection and prevention of complications, management of complex physiological problems, patient/family education and family psychosocial support systems.

• Critically ill, unstable patients in the need of intensive treatment such as ventilator support and continuous vasoactive drug therapy. As well as other critical medications.

• Patients who suffer from traumatic injuries or reversible diseases are admitted for aggressive medical and surgical treatment that cannot be provided elsewhere in the hospital. Examples are patients with:

  • Critically injured multi-traumas

  • Orthopedic trauma

  • Respiratory failure

  • Hemodynamically unstable patients requiring invasive monitoring and/or close observation

  • Acute neurological and/or traumatic events requiring continuous observation

  • Emergent or invasive surgical cases

Therapies in the STICU may include hemodialysis, continuous renal replacement therapy, and ventilation support which may include proning. Monitoring provided includes central venous pressure, arterial line, electrocardiogram, pulse oximetry, intracranial pressure monitoring, and apnea monitoring. We do a wide variety of bedside procedures including chest tube insertions, tracheostomy, peg tube placement, invasive wound care, external ventricular drain placement as well as other conscious sedation procedures.

• Licensure or other certifications:

• Educational Requirements: High School Diploma, GED, or high school transcript showing completion of at least the sophomore level of high school.  

• Minimum Experience: No previous experience is required.  Candidates who have not successfully completed the Foundations of Nursing course (RN students only), have less than six months of PCT experience within the past two years, or do not hold a current and active CNA certification will be enrolled in the PCT Academy, NGHS’s in-house training program. 

• Other:

• Preferred Licensure or other certifications:

• Preferred Educational Requirements:

• Preferred Experience:

• Other:

• Ability to work effectively with other departments and the general public

• Ability to accept direction from the nursing staff; ability to perform the basic skills and procedures designated for unit

• assistants

• Typing skills preferred but not required; ability to operate the electronic medical record (EMR)

• Good interpersonal skills & adaptable in changing situations & work assignments

• Must be able to concentrate during multiple interactions & interruptions

• Obtains and reports basic patient physiological data (such as vital signs, weight, skin condition, color and character of urine and stool.

• Utilizes proper body mechanics, provides for positioning, mobility, hygiene, ADL, and/or comfort needs according to procedure and direction.

• Monitors fluids intake and output and documenting.

• Promptly identifies and reports physical and mental status changes to licensed staff assigned to the patient.

• Organizes patient care and sets appropriate priorities by implementing physician and nursing orders within prescribed time frames.

• Performs therapeutic procedures within the parameters of the job description; reporting patient's response to supervising nurse.

• Makes frequent rounds to patient's room in addition to responding without prompting to patient call lights, instituting appropriate actions.

• Explains procedure or care to be provided to patient prior to start of procedure such a mobilizing patient.

• Accurately & timely records patient data and forwards to supervisory staff within established time frames.  

• Promptly answers patient intercom and responds by directing patient’s request to appropriate staff, filling requests as defined by Unit routine, and following up with patient/family to be sure request was completed.

• Makes necessary diet requests and/or notifies the Dietary Department of changes.

• Performs emergency procedures (i.e. CODE, fire, or disaster codes) according to policy.

• Print Ticket to Ride for transports. 

• Enters the time of patient discharge in the Electronic Medical Record. 

• Ensures completeness of D/C’d patient chart before sending to Medical Records.

• Contributes to patient safety by: Utilization of Universal Precautions for all patients. Careful adherence to NGHS Hand Hygiene policy. Providing a safe patient environment (i.e. call light within reach, side rails up, etc.). Obtaining and restocking isolation supplies for patients in Infection Precautions. Completing and documenting equipment cleaning responsibilities as well as maintaining properly functioning equipment.  Promptly reports equipment issues to Charge Nurse.

• Places supplies from storeroom in designated areas, as appropriate.

• Notifies appropriate departments of needed repairs and follows through on requests.

• Distributes linen and ice to patient as needed in addition to frequently offering refreshments as patient’s diet permits.

• Performs patient transport functions as needed by the unit.

• Prepares room for new admissions. Ensures PPE on the back of the door, bed is turned down, and any appropriate supplies or equipment is available for the incoming patient.

• Orients patient/family/significant other to unit & room. Greets patient & family in a positive pleasant manner with each encounter.

• Answers the telephone in a polite and courteous manner: Screens and refers all calls appropriately to ensure accurate communication.

• Places reports (i.e. x-ray, etc.) in patient’s chart or insures reports are sent to appropriate units.

• Maintains patient’s chart by: Thinning charts as needed. Replenishing forms as needed. Placing reports on appropriate chart location.

• Makes recommendations to unit Director for purchase of new equipment of supplies as appropriate.

• Completes daily/weekly requisitions to accurately reflect the unit’s needs.

• Records refrigerator temperature daily on appropriate sheet.

• Maintains printers by changing ribbons, replenishing paper and reporting problems to information systems.

• Replaces telemetry batteries according to unit.

• Replaces glove boxes and wipes in patient rooms when supply is low.

• Participates in staff meeting with no more than two absences.

• Reads and responds to e-mails in timely manner.

• Exhibits flexibility in scheduling to meet dept staffing needs.

• Completes unit specific & annual competency assessment requirements within specific timelines.
   

• Weight Lifted: Up to 50 lbs, Frequently 31-65% of time

• Weight Carried: Up to 20 lbs, Frequently 31-65% of time

• Vision: Moderate, Frequently 31-65% of time

• Kneeling/Stooping/Bending: Occasionally 0-30%

• Standing/Walking: Occasionally 0-30%

• Pushing/Pulling: Frequently 31-65%

• Intensity of Work: Frequently 31-65%

• Job Requires: Reading, Writing, Reasoning, Talking, Keyboarding

Working at NGHS means being part of something special: a team invested in you as a person, an employee, and in helping you reach your goals. 

NGHS: Opportunities start here.

Northeast Georgia Health System is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will not tolerate discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected classification or status.