Patient Care Specialist II - Paramedic- Acuity Adaptable Unit

FLSA Status

Job Role Summary

The Patient Care Specialist II is responsible for patient care in the area of assignment under RN supervision while working in the hospital. This position may participate in provision of emergent or immediate care of patients utilizing a healthcare team approach after demonstration of clinical competency in accordance with hospital/nursing policy and procedures and professional practice standards.  This position includes monitoring patient telemetry in the heart station. 

Acuity Adaptable Care at Eskenazi Health represents a broad spectrum of inpatient services across 3 floors of our acute care hospital. Patients admitted to an acuity adaptable unit at Eskenazi Health receive services from a wide variety of clinical specialties including: orthopedics, oncology, cardiology, palliative care, neurology, trauma, medicine, renal, urology, pulmonology, infectious disease, and more.  Acuity Adaptable offers all private rooms as well as telemetry monitoring capability. 

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Responsible for patient care in the area of assignment under RN supervision
• May contribute to and participate in various aspects of the triage process and care of the obstetric/postpartum patient
• Participates in team-based approach for patients after demonstration of clinical competency in accordance with hospital/nursing policy/procedure and professional practice acts
• May perform limited respiratory treatments which may include O2 titration/oximetry, aerosols, IPPD/PPD, multi-dose inhaler treatments, sputum cultures, ABGs
• Performs phlebotomy procedures (i.e., venipuncture, capillary sticks)
• May perform other procedures that include ECGs, dressing changes, medication administration, monitoring telemetry, starting IV-DCs, catheterizations, NG tubes
• May take vital signs; assist/give baths; suctions; monitor Accu-Chek’s; perform orthopedic set-up; collect and test specimens; assist with trach care/ostomy care; perform neuro/vascular checks; take patient weights; counsel/assist with personal care and/or assess maternal and fetal status as necessary
• May apply ACE wrapping; ambulate patients; perform passive range of motion (for patients without complications); stimulate patients (cognitive reorientation/ recognition)
• May perform equipment changes; check emergency equipment/supplies/environment
• May participate in emergent delivery or maternal/newborn resuscitation as indicated
• May perform phlebotomy procedures, including venipuncture and capillary sticks
• May perform other procedures that include medication administration, ECGs, dressing changes, IV starts/DCs, catheterizations, NG tubes, and respiratory treatments
• May perform patient care for inpatients requiring ALS transportation services travelling to another facility or returning to the hospital.
• Documents care according to hospital/nursing policy/procedure.
• Assesses and responds to patient needs.
• Attends/participates in in-service education/quality assurance programs.
• Alters activities/behaviors to reflect/ensure adequate care appropriate to the age of patients served (i.e., adolescent, geriatric, pediatric, neo-natal, adult) as described in unit age-specific and/or job-specific competencies.
• Maintains age and job-specific competencies described according to department-specific competencies.
• May perform patient care for inpatients requiring ALS transportation services travelling to another facility or returning to the hospital.

Associated Job Duties

• May supervise and direct activities and educational/clinical experiences of assigned observers and students
• May contribute to and participate in various aspects of the nursing process under RN supervision
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned
• Monitors accurately recognizes and interprets basic and advanced cardiac rhythm