POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction and supervision of the registered nurse and in accordance with hospital policies, procedures, protocols, and standards of practice, the Nursing Assistant (NA) participates in the delivery of patient care. The role encompasses the provision of direct clinical and support services to patients and families across the health care continuum, functioning as an effective member of the health care team by contributing to the efficient operation of the patient care unit, and accountability for fiscally sound, quality patient/family clinical outcomes.

Position: Nursing Assistant

Department: Med Surg Cardio Thoracic Unit

Schedule:Per-Diem Nights with weekend and rotating holiday requirements 7:00PM-7:00 AM

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

Clinical Practice: Under the direction of the registered nurse (RN), performs a variety of appropriately delegated patient care interventions for patients and their families within the scope of his/her role.

• Collaborates with the RN throughout the shift to determine the appropriate work assignment and priorities as well as communicates the status of delegated task completion and outcomes of patient data findings to the RN throughout the shift.
• Maintains timely ongoing verbal communication with RN throughout the shift regarding patient condition. Notifies RN immediately of any significant change in a patient’s condition and/or monitoring alarms (for example: change in vital signs, change in patient’s mental status, abnormal blood sugar, patient fall, patient concerns with care).
• Upon initial contact with patients, visitors, and staff, identifies self as a NA and introduces self to patient by name. Wears appropriate name badge which identifies self as a NA.
• Accurately collects and records patient data (vital signs, intake and output, blood sugar, weights, restraint care/monitoring, other) and complies with hospital documentation standards to ensure a complete and accurate patient record.
• Initiates a prompt response to all patient call lights and seeks assistance from co-workers as appropriate.
• Assists with admission, discharge, and transfer of patients as appropriate for the inpatient or ambulatory area patients. Completes section of the Functional Health Assessment upon admission. Prepares room for admission and ensures patients have appropriate identification bands upon admission and throughout their hospitalization. Transports patients and their belongings, equipment and supplies, as needed and as part of the transfer/discharge process.
• Makes routine patient room rounds to address patient needs.
• Provides and/or assists with basic hygiene including but not limited to: bathing, dressing, mouth care, shaving, whirlpool baths, perineal and bowel care, foley care, application of condom catheters, emptying urinals and ostomy bags and other associated hygiene tasks.
• Provides basic skin care including but not limited to:, back rubs, routine diabetic foot care, application of non-medicated ointments, application of elastic stockings, ace wraps, and venodynes, turning and repositioning patients every two hours, and other associated tasks. 
• Sets up patients for meals and assists them with feeding and opening food containers; maintaining calorie counts and recording intake/output measures (I and Os). 
• When ambulating patients uses safe and proper technique, applies safety devices using hydraulic lifts or bed scale as needed.
• Identifies emergency / crisis situations and initiates appropriate response actions within the scope of her/his role, including immediate communication of such events to the registered nurse.
• Maintains competence in relation to a variety of other technical skills which may include, (depending on unit assigned) but are not limited to:

Support Services: Under the direction of the RN, works cooperatively with all health care team members to provide a variety of support services to meet patient, family, and staff needs within the scope of his/her role.

Work Rules, Standards, & Competency Compliance: Acts in a manner that supports a positive and collaborative work environment and that is congruent with established standards, policies, procedures, and regulations within the scope of his/her role.

• Works cooperatively with all staff members and takes appropriate steps to resolve interpersonal conflicts. Seeks assistance from RN or off-Shift Nurse Manager as needed.
• Participates in staff meetings and appropriate in-services.
• Complies with established practice standards, policies, procedures, protocols, guidelines, and regulations, (for example: DPH, JCAHO, Boston fire codes, OSHA).
• Reviews and is knowledgeable of appropriate policies, procedures and work rules.
• Dresses appropriately according to dress code requirements, including wearing uniform and visible hospital I.D. badge while on duty. 
• Assists in the orientation of new staff; serves as a resource to float staff.
• Adapts to changing patient and unit needs including but not limited to: offers assistance to other team members, floating, adjusting assignments, etc.
• Communicates with charge nurse/supervisor to coordinate break periods with unit activities. Maintains visibility on the unit and does not leave work area without appropriate notification to the RN.
• Delivers care in a non-judgmental, non-discriminatory manner that is sensitive to and demonstrates respect for patient diversity.
• Acts in a manner that protects confidentiality of patient, employee and hospital information at all times.

Care of Unit Environment, Equipment, Materials and Supplies: Performs a variety of environmental and inventory activities to ensure a safe, clean and appropriately equipped environment for patients, visitors and staff within the scope of his/her role.

• Makes routine room rounds to unclutter, clean, and organize patient rooms/areas when needed.
• Checks inventories and restocks/replaces/assembles patient equipment and supplies.
• Appropriately disposes of trash, soiled linens, medical waste & disposable items.
• Maintains appropriate equipment logs and records.

OTHER DUTIES:

• Utilizes hospital’s values as the basis for decision making and to facilitate the division’s hospital mission.
• Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION:

• High school diploma or GED certificate required
• Basic Life Support Certification or obtained within 90 days of employment.

EXPERIENCE:

Requires at minimum, one of the following:

• One year of previous experience as a nursing assistant in an acute hospital setting, or
• Current enrollment in SEMC’s SEIU Certified Nursing Assistant Program, or
• Current enrollment in a nursing program and has completed one cycle of clinical med-surg rotation, or
• Successful completion of an approved certified nursing assistant training, or
• Successful completion of approved certified Medical Assistant Training program.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Ability to effectively speak, read and write using the English language. Multilingual skills (beyond that of English) in languages appropriate to the patient populations served by the Medical Center is a plus.
• Ability to perform basic math and quantitative measurements, e.g., obtain height and weight, abdominal girths, measure urine output, calorie counts, etc.
• Ability to enter and retrieve computerized information/data. Ability to use Microsoft Outlook.
• Physical ability to push, transfer, and pull heavy loads (e.g. independently transport average-sized patient via wheelchair and stretcher, etc.) throughout assigned shift.
• Physical ability to meet core job requirements in accordance with practice setting demands for the patient populations regularly served.
• Effective interpersonal skills to interact appropriately with nursing staff, patients, families/visitors, physicians, and other hospital staff.
• Organizational skills to set priorities and efficiently complete assigned work.
• Ability to manage stress related to patient care issues, and changing organizational climate and personnel issues.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans

Compensation Range:

This range offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications. However, our approach to determining base pay is comprehensive, and a broad range of factors is considered when making an offer. This includes education, experience, and licensure/certifications directly related to position requirements. In addition, BMCHS offers generous total compensation that includes, but is not limited to, benefits (medical, dental, vision, pharmacy), contract increases, Flexible Spending Accounts, 403(b) savings matches, earned time cash out, paid time off, career advancement opportunities, and resources to support employee and family wellbeing.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans

According to the FTC, there has been a rise in employment offer scams. Our current job openings are listed on our website and applications are received only through our website. We do not ask or require downloads of any applications, or “apps” job offers are not extended over text messages or social media platforms. We do not ask individuals to purchase equipment for or prior to employment.