About This Role
Caring for patients under the guidance of a registered nurse is the core of this role, assisting with both direct and indirect patient care activities. This position suits a compassionate individual who proactively interacts with patients and their families to ensure a family-centered experience.
Responsibilities
- Assist in direct patient care by providing basic physical care to promote patient comfort as directed by the Registered Nurse
- Assist all assigned patients with activities of daily living according to need in a timely manner, including making all assigned beds
- Safely transport patients according to WVUH’s Safe Patient Handling Policy to all tests and procedures, and escort patients for discharge
- Transport specimens and items throughout the facility
- Perform assigned tests such as glucose monitoring, urine and stool testing, and maintain quality control testing and logs, according to department policy (CNAs on Subacute Unit are not permitted to do glucose monitoring)
- Perform routine phlebotomy services, excluding line draws, in departments determined by management
- Obtain and record assigned patient temperatures, pulse rates, respiratory rates, blood pressures, intake and outputs, weights, and abdominal girths according to departmental policy
- Provide respiratory support by properly setting up equipment needed for oxygen administration
- Encourage the usage of Incentive Spirometer according to Respiratory Care procedure
- Observe and report all patient concerns/changes in condition to a registered nurse immediately
- Prepare patients for examinations and diagnostic procedures according to departmental procedure
- Assist physicians and registered nurses with examinations and procedures
- Assist with basic rehab/Physical Therapy activities, including active and passive range of motion and ambulation
- Communicate with RN regarding any nutrition issues, such as poor appetite or verbalized lack of understanding of diet changes
- Provide total care within scope of practice (vital signs, activities of daily living) when assigned sitter or constant visual responsibilities
- Assist in indirect patient care by maintaining a clean and safe environment to help prevent and/or control infections and to provide for safety of patients, visitors, and employees
- Maintain clean assigned unit equipment according to departmental procedures
- Report all necessary equipment repairs to appropriate personnel according to departmental procedure in a timely manner
- Assist in routine unit operations as directed/needed to assure smooth communication and functioning of the unit
- Courteously answer telephone in a timely manner, identifying self and unit at all times
