ACUTE CARE TECH - Forrest General Hospital

Job Summary:

The Acute Care Technician performs under the direct supervision of the Registered Nurse and is delegated tasks by the RN or Patient Care Coordinator or Patient Care Manager to achieve quality patient care. The Acute Care Technician is involved in the implementation phase of the nursing process and is responsible to the Registered Nurse and Patient Care Coordinator on the unit for patient care and ultimately accountable to the Patient Care Manager. The Acute Care Technician is responsible for assisting patients with all activities of daily living, such as bathing, feeding, assisting with toileting, turning and repositioning patients, and clinical duties such as taking and documenting vital signs, intake and output, point of care glucose testing, reporting abnormal values to the RN, performing venipuncture, and other duties as delegated by the Registered Nurse, Patient Care Coordinator, and/or Patient Care Manager.

Performance Expectations:

• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide technical care appropriate to the age of the patients served; also demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development and possesses the ability to collect and document data and relays appropriate data to nurse.
• Interprets the appropriate information needed to identify each patient’s requirements relative to his/her age specific needs and provides care.
• Demonstrates skills to maintain a safe and clean work environment

• Embraces and practices We CARE philosophy in all aspects of patient, visitor, co-worker, employee and non-employee care.
• Demonstrates the ability to promote a culture of caring through compassionate care, teamwork, and courtesy in all interactions with customers, both internal and external.
• Demonstrates thorough; concise and timely documentation, shift reports and verbal communication. Communicates pertinent patient information to all health care team members.
• Maintain competencies and ongoing education as required to serve as a sitter.
• Maintains own clinical skills staying current in skills, ongoing competencies, equipment and certifications required in specific nursing area.

• Demonstrates ability to perform all technical skills required for each unit’s population by rendering professional nursing care including venipuncture, obtaining vital signs and blood glucose, restraint and 1:1 suicide precautions, bathing, dressing, ambulating and feeding patients.
• Demonstrates technical aptitude for working, troubleshooting, and assisting the nurse with multiple pieces of equipment used for patient care including but not limited to telemetry monitoring devices, vital sign monitoring devices, blood glucose monitor, specialty beds, and sequential compression devices.

• Demonstrates the aptitude for safely positioning and assisting patients using a variety of devices such as but not limited to abduction pillows, splints, slings, braces, neck collars, walkers, crutches, immobilizers and specialty beds.
• Communicates effectively with others in an appropriate and timely manner Adheres to and promotes the established values of the organization, i.e. customer service, safety, infection, control and compliance standards.
• Consistently follows patient care and Forrest General Hospital policy, procedures, and standards of care in performing nursing duties.
• Consistently attends to patients when their condition worsens, by appropriately and immediately alerting the Registered Nurse, Patient Care Coordinator, and other members of the healthcare team, as indicated.

• Demonstrates financial responsibility by using supplies in a cost efficient manner and keeping incremental overtime to a minimum.

Qualifications:

Education/Skills:

High School Diploma/GED and completion of an approved Nurse Aide training course required. If no experience as a Nurse Aide, then successful completion of Acute Care Technician course at Forrest General Hospital during clinical orientation required.

Work Experience:

Prior experience working as a Nurse Aide preferred.

Certification/Licensure-DUE UPON HIRE

• None

Additional Certification/Licensure - Obtained based on required timeframe below

• Basic Life Support

Within 30 Days of Employment

Required

• Rhythm Strip Interpretation for Techs

Within 180 Days of Employment

Preferred

Mental Demands:

Ability to perform as a team member, cooperate with others, follow directions precisely and quickly, demonstrate initiative, set priorities and function under stress. Must be able to prioritize and multi-task.

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