Nursing Station Technician - 10 ICU - Fairview Health Services

The Nursing Station Technician (NST) is a hybrid position consisting of both Nursing Assistant and Health Unit Coordinator roles to deliver direct patient care and administrative duties.

The Nursing Station Technician (NST) is responsible for assisting the professional caregiver in the delivery of patient care, transporting patient and / or equipment, setting up and maintaining patient rooms, reordering and stocking supplies. Performs a wide range of clerical, transcription, and maintenance of patient care unit desk area functions. Coordinates the flow of communication on a patient care unit. The NST does not work autonomously but under the direction of the professional nurse. They may or may not be given a patient care assignment based on unit needs and the discretion of the manager / charge nurse.

This position will be working 0.7 FTE (56 hours every two weeks). 8-hour long evening and night shifts. This position will also work every other weekend rotation. 

• Facilitates timely flow of communication on the patient care area to ensure the exchange of information and to promote the coordination of services.
• Promptly answers the telephone identifying self and patient care area, asks questions to clarify information, and consistently follows through on all messages in a timely and courteous manner.
• Coordinates activities of the desk area to provide prompt, accurate and courteous handling of communication. Consistently answers patient intercom promptly and relays patient requests in a timely manner.
• Coordinates the scheduling of tests, lab work, and other patient and department procedures, arranges appropriate transport and assists with transport. Optimally uses EHR.
• Prepares charts for discharge and transfers.
• Prepares and completes vital informative sources for specific care area (e.g. brainboard, census information, computer information). Assigns and maintains unit communication technology (pagers, ascom phones).
• Responsible for the accurate, timely transcription of physician’s orders.
• Follows the crucial steps for timely and accurate transcription of physician’s orders as required by recognizing and order needing transcription, ordering vital services, tests, equipment, and signing off order per procedure.
• Demonstrates familiarity with medical terminology and abbreviations and utilizes accurate abbreviations and symbols per procedures.
• Demonstrates interpersonal skills by transcribing physician orders based on priorities and by following a detailed routine.
• Responsible for the maintenance of desk area and patient supplies and equipment according to designated standards.
• Orders individual patient supplies as advised by a nurse or as indicated in physician orders.
• Notifies appropriate department per procedure for equipment requiring maintenance and follows through on status of equipment as vital.
• Demonstrates general knowledge of cost containment and awareness of cost control by following designated standards of the patient care area.
• Maintains safe, clean and efficient patient care areas.
• Participates in orientation of new staff (e.g. Nursing staff, physicians and students) on the patient care unit.
• Provides basic patient care by performing routine duties to include: personal grooming, bathing, toileting, feeding, skin care needs (clean and sterile dressing changes), applying ointments / creams; oral hygiene; specimen collection / testing; position / ambulating; changing linens, and promptly answers call lights.
• Assists nurses in supervising patient condition

Minimum Certifications Required:

• Basic Life Support (BLS for Healthcare Providers) certification required. 

Minimum Experience Required:

• Six months of recent direct care experience in a long term, home care or acute care setting. (Appropriate roles may include, Nursing Assistant, PCA, Resident Assistant or Emergency Room Technician).

Or

• Current enrollment in an LPN, RN or Nurse Practitioner program, and completion of one (1) semester of clinical rotation within the program.

Or

• Current certification on the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry upon hire. This requirement does not need to be maintained throughout employment and is not required if subsequently transferring into another Nursing Assistant or Nursing Station Tech or Nursing Station Attendant position. NOTE: Individuals who have completed a Nursing Assistant program and are scheduled to take the NA Registry exam will be granted 90 days post hire to become active on the MN Nursing Assistant Registry.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience as a Health Unit Coordinator, Nursing Assistant, or other related experience