Nurse Support Technician II- Unit 42, Medicine/Telemetry/Oncology- Dayshift (7am-7:30pm)

Under direct supervision, assists the Registered Nurse in providing direct and indirect patient care. Assists the Registered Nurse and/or Licensed Practical Nurse (hereby mentioned as “nurse”) with delegated nursing procedures under the day-to-day supervision of the nurse and is formally supervised by the Nurse Manager. Collaborates with unit leadership in supporting patient care activities while promoting excellent patient experience.

Education

High School or GED.

Experience

At least 2 years of current experience in direct patient care. At least one year of experience as a Nurse Support Technician preferred. Med/Surg patient population preferred.

Skills

• Ability to read and write English in order to provide basic patient care, to understand and communicate detailed instructions relating to basic patient care and performs simple arithmetic calculations in order to take and record weights, vital signs, and routine information on patient charts.
• Interpersonal skills necessary to interact with patients, visitors, physicians, and other staff in a courteous manner.
• Strong communication skills
• Basic computer skills
• Competent to safety handle medications

Licensures, Certifications

• Current registration with the Maryland State Board of Nursing as a Certified Nursing Assistant.
• Certified as a Patient Care Technician (PCT).
• Heart saver (CPR Certification).

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Patient Care:

• Provides for care, comfort, and safety of assigned patients under direct supervision of a nurse
• Assists patients in activities of daily living; including, but not limited to, bathing, toileting, oral hygiene, changing bed linens, etc.
• Uses proper techniques to avoid infection of patient and self to avoid contamination of patient, equipment, and supplies
• Procedural assistance as indicated or requested
• Performs delegated nursing care procedures
• Observes patients and reports reactions or changes in condition to appropriate nursing personnel
• Complete close observation documentation
• Distributes patients’ trays and nourishments, fills water pitchers, and assists with feeding patients, if necessary; and collects trays at the end of the meal
• Maintains and stocks patients’ rooms in a clean and orderly condition which includes disposing of soiled linen, stocking necessary supplies and linens, cleaning counter surfaces, etc. 
• Assists in the admission, transfer, and discharge of patients (including transportation of patients in beds), secures patients’ valuables and belongings
• Escorts patients as need arises, adhering to necessary safety precautions
• Performs routine vital signs, intakes and outputs, weights, and finger sticks for blood sugars, use pulse ox equipment, take blood pressures
• Obtains lab specimens such as urine collections, sputum cultures, and heel sticks as appropriate on unit
• Sets up O2 therapy
• Reinforces use of incentive spirometry – splinting with pillows as needed
• Conducts bladder scans, as directed
• Performs oral suctioning, as directed
• Uses and operates an EKG machine, as directed by the nurse
• Discontinues an IV/saline lock as directed by the nurse
• Performs simple dressing changes, as directed by the nurse
• Inserts, removes, and/or empties a Foley catheter as directed by the nurse
• Empty and record other drains as directed by the nurse
• Utilize electronic medical records as trained and required for appropriate record keeping
• Clean and stock supply shelves
• Perform other related duties as assigned or directed

Professional Development (Other opportunities include):

Education and Practice

• Precept new staff as directed
• Coach and mentor staff
• Assist with creating Nurse Support patient assignments
• Prepare agenda and facilitate unit-based meetings as topics pertain to the Nursing Support role
• Provide feedback for peer evaluations
• Participate in interviewing new staff as needed
• Assist with creating and balancing Nurse Support schedule

  Quality and Safety

• Participate in performance improvement and Lean Management System (LMS) activities
• Participate in ACAs and RCAs as directed
• Participate in audits as directed
• Perform quality controls for EKG transmission and glucometers.

  Leadership

• Collaborate with charge nurse with plan