Job Category:

Clinical Support

Work Shift/Schedule:

12 Hr Evening - Morning

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

About the Role:

Job Summary

General Surgery is a 32-bed nursing unit with four equipped with negative pressure and 2 with bariatric ceiling lifts. Care is rendered to patients with a variety of specialties including, but not limited to:

• Bariatric Surgery including Gastric Bypass, Gastric Sleeve, Duodenal Switch, and Revisional cases

• Urology diagnosis and procedures • Oncology Gynecology surgery

• General Surgery including major bowel procedures

• Vascular surgery procedures

• Plastic Surgery including skin grafts, flaps and reconstructive surgery

• Podiatry

• Other medical and surgical patients in times of high census

Nurses provide care and monitoring for patients with IV patient-controlled analgesia. Nurses are competent in the care of patients with the following: nephrostomy tubes, continuous bladder irrigations, biliary drains, Jackson Pratt drains, Constavac drains, epidurals, chest tubes, tracheostomy tubes, and peritoneal dialysis. Nurses who have completed competencies may access and de-access Portacaths, and perform negative pressure wound dressing changes.

Minimum Job Qualifications

• Licensure or other certifications: Current Georgia Certified Nursing Assistant or successful completion of Fundamentals of Nursing Course if a nursing student.

• Educational Requirements: Reading, writing, and math skills at a 10th grade completion level or higher as evidenced by a 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, on-the-job training in practices  and procedures of the hospital and medical terminology is provided. Previous experience as a nursing assistant or unit aide is desirable. 

• Other:

Preferred Job Qualifications

• Preferred Licensure or other certifications:

• Preferred Educational Requirements:

• Preferred Experience:

• Other:

Job Specific and Unique Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• 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

Essential Tasks and Responsibilities

• 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.