Nursing Student Technician

WOOSTER COMMUNITY HOSPITAL JOB DESCRIPTION

 Nursing Student Technician  

MAIN FUNCTION:        

The Nursing Student Technician supports the patient care team by performing multifunctional activities such as direct patient care under the direction of a Registered Nurse. Performances of technical skills are identified on a skills checklists for which training and competency must be established.

Follows WCH Nursing Philosophy and practice model which are derived from the Synergy model and appropriate Service Standards as outlined in Employee Handbook.  

RESPONSIBLE TO: Department Director, Clinical Manager, and Registered Nurse

MUST HAVE REQUIREMENTS:

• Enrolled in a credentialed registered nursing program
• Successful completion of 1 clinical rotations. 
• No written disciplinary action in the last 12 months
• Maintain a current AHA (American Heart Association) Healthcare Provider BLS card while in this position.

PREFERRED ATTRIBUTES:

• Personal computer experience and keyboarding skills
• Medical terminology course or demonstrated knowledge

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Employees in this position may be:

1. Exposed to blood, body fluids and/or airborne pathogens and are required to wear personal protective equipment
2. Must be able to push, pull, lift, carry, turn, crouch, and bend as necessary to complete nursing care tasks
3. Required to take "on call" status
4. Reassigned to another unit to perform duties within current job description
5. Subject to STHR (short term hour reduction) according to policy

POSITION EXPECTATIONS:   All expectations detailed below are considered ADA (American Disabilities Act) Essential.

Leadership

1. 1.23.17

   Embraces teamwork by adhering to Nursing Practice Model   
2. Accepts and responds to change productively, while maintaining a positive attitude
3. Demonstrates appropriate workplace behavior and competence in job duties
4. Demonstrates basic conflict resolution skills

______________________________________________________________________________      

Communication

1. Maintains awareness of verbal/ non verbal communication in interactions with staff, other departments, physicians, patients and families
2. Maintains Patient confidentiality in all communication interactions: written, verbal, electronic and digital
3. Collaborates and communicates effectively with all members of the health care team
4. Demonstrates basic ability to initiate and manage crucial conversations 
5. Utilizes AIDET (Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Expectations, Thank You) strategies to foster positive communication
6. Demonstrates acceptance of supervisory authority, guidance and instruction.  Follows appropriate chain of command.
7. Reports patient observations and specific problems appropriately
8. Interact with clinical students in a positive, productive manner 

Operations

1. Work habits are consistently adjusted to accommodate multiple responsibilities and are prioritized and completed in an independent and timely manner.  Effectively utilizes time management and organizational skills.

1. Safely transports patients via wheelchair, beds, carts throughout facility
2. Round on patients to identify patient needs and safety issues
3. Participates in huddles/team collaboration
4. Maintain fall prevention strategies
5. Uses appropriate personal protective equipment
6. Under the direction of licensed Nursing Staff 
   1. All nursing student technicians:

• Provide appropriate hygiene care for patients  
• Provide comfort measures 
• Follow infection control guidelines and safety precautions
• Assist patients with nutrition, elimination and activity/mobility 
• Specimen collection and transport using appropriate technique
• Completes surgical / procedure prep (if applicable)
  1. Upon completion of WCH training and competency checklist, the nursing student technician may perform the following tasks:
• vital signs, weights, pulse oximetry, point of care glucose testing, dressing changes, urinary catheter insertions and discontinuation, and intravenous discontinuation
• Reports immediately any abnormal findings or changes in physical, mental and emotional conditions to the RN. 

1. Accurately document care provided in a timely manner

1. Demonstrate reasonable and rational judgment in decision making

1. Assist with flow of unit:

• Obtains  & returns supplies and equipment as directed
• Operates and cleans equipment safely and appropriately.   Initiates work orders/ reports to appropriate person
• Cleans and maintains nursing station, report and break rooms, kitchen areas and others as assigned
• Assists with admissions, discharges and transfers

1. Other duties as assigned by management team

Customer Service

1. Displays positive attitude.  Treats others with honesty and respect.  Speaks positively in all customer interactions internal and external.
2. Assess customer satisfaction when rounding on patients and use appropriate chain of command for unresolved issues or problems
3. Use AIDET (Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explanation, Thank You) to:

• Optimize the patient’s experience by reducing the patient and family’s anxiety and increasing      the patient’s compliance
• Develop positive relationships with other departments to foster patient satisfaction

1. Use face to face resolutions (crucial conversations) to intervene with patients or staff in situations where customer needs have not been met to determine a positive, mutually agreeable resolution

Staff Development / Personal Growth

In conjunction with the Department Manager, Clinical Specialist and / or Educator:

1. Function as a preceptor, seeking learning opportunities for orientee.  Interact with Department Manager, Clinical Educator/Instructor, to evaluate orientee progress towards goals, identifying additional needs. 
2. Demonstrate professional growth by participating in committees/unit projects
3. Demonstrates initiative and responsibility to develop personal, leadership and career goals 
4. Accept feedback as opportunity for growth
5. Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of new policies and procedures, practices, changes in practice, and initiatives.  Obtains this knowledge via staff meeting attendance, reading of communication, required hospital education, discussion with departmental leadership and peers.

Performance Improvement

1.  Identify processes to be improved and communicate to management team. Assists in data collection as directed
2. Participates on at least one team, project and/or committee:   unit, departmental or hospital based
3. Develop and maintain awareness of DNV, CMS (Centers for Medicare Services) and other required quality and safety measures
4. Develop and maintain ongoing understanding of current practice for the types of patients for whom care is provided

AGE SPECIFIC COMPETENCY

Dependent upon department and the population served:

Neonatal (Birth thru 28 days)

1. Handles infants in gentle manner
2. Speaks in soothing voice
3. Holds and cuddles infant when necessary
4. Facilitates parental interaction and care of infant

Infant (29 days thru 12 months)

1. Approaches infant in slow, non-threatening way
2. Speaks in soothing way
3. Holds and cuddles infant as much as possible
4. Encourages parental interaction with infant
5. Allows for familiar toys/blankets to be brought from home

Pediatrics (one year thru 11 years)

1. Allows choices when possible
2. Speaks directly using few, clear, simple terms and explanations
3. Limits number of strangers entering room
4. Provides consistent nursing assignments
5. Does not shame parents for lack of cooperation
6. Holds child for painful procedures

Adolescents (12 years thru 18 years)

1. Allows participation in care and choices as appropriate
2. Provides for patient's modesty
3. Tells patient exactly what will be expected
4. Allows patient control
5. Speaks directly to patient in simple medical terms

Geriatrics (65 years and older)

1. Identifies physical/social/emotional barriers and physical limitations at discharge
2. Teaches patient about one item at a time
3. Repeats instructions several times
4. Speaks slowly and distinctly when talking to the patient

Unit Specific Requirements:                                     

A/C, PACU, PAT Specific Duties:

1. Completes surgical skin preps
2. Cross trains to Materials Management and anesthesia cart stocking and maintenance.  Assists with these tasks as necessary.
3. Clerical functions as identified and directed (Ex: chart assembly, order entry, charge entry)

ED Specific Duties:

1. Obtains and accurately documents measurements and vital signs
2. Performs phlebotomy, accurately labels lab specimens
3. Assists physician with procedures
4. Applies DME equipment and documents
5. Performs surgical preps
6. Performs relief secretary duties

g.   Performs blood glucose testing as directed by the RN and maintains yearly competency

Inpatient Rehab PCA

1. Must be competent in FIMS (Functional Independent Measures) scoring
2. Obtains and accurately documents measurements and vital signs
3. Obtains point of care blood glucose testing under supervision of the RN

Intensive Care:

PCA also trained as Unit Secretary:

1. Responsible for duties outlined in  secretary job description
2. During any shift, may function in both capacities

PACU Specific Duties:

1. Obtains vital signs and point of care blood glucose testing under the supervision of the RN
2. Take on call for PACU

Progressive Care:

PCA also trained as Unit Secretary:

1. Responsible for duties outlined in secretary job description
2. During any shift, may function in both capacities

Surgery Specific Duties:    Surgery (OR) Assistant

1. Cross train to Materials Management and anesthesia cart stocking and maintenance. Assist with these tasks as necessary.
2. Clerical functions as identified and directed (Ex: chart assembly, order entry, charge entry)

MAIN FUNCTION:

As a member of the turnover team, assists nursing staff with room turnover. Performs routine duties such as patient transport, stocking of supplies, cleaning of rooms and equipment, and other tasks as assigned.  Restocks OR rooms, transports patients to and from AC, floor and PACU and transports specimens to Lab.

MUST HAVE REQUIREMENTS:

• 2 years of related experience
• Must live within 30 minutes from Hospital

PREFERRED ATTRIBUTES:

• Material management experience

Additional position expectations:

• Transports specimens to pathology several times daily
• Assists with surgical waiting area by greeting patient and escorting customers throughout the hospital
• Assists with inventory management including annual inventory count
• Assists nursing staff and anesthesia with room turnover
• Assists by answering phone and relieving team members for lunch

Transition Care Unit PCA Specific Duties:

1. Obtains and accurately documents ADL and vital signs.
2. Obtains point of care blood glucose testing under supervision of RN
3. ADL (Activities Daily Living)
4. Maintain mandatory education hours for licensure 
5. Performs relief secretary duties as outlined in secretary job description

• Responsible for duties outlined in secretary job description
• During any shift, may function in both capacities

4.29.2016, 7/19