General Summary:
The Prep/PACU Aide, under the direction and supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN), provides basic nursing care to patients and performs related tasks necessary to the functioning of the OAM Surgery Center at MidTowne.
Reporting Relationships:Who reports to this position: N/A
Who does this position report to: Prep/PACU Manager
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
- Assists patients with activity, including: positioning, sitting up at bedside and ambulation. Also assists with transferring patients using chairs, wheelchairs, slideboards, and stretchers; transporting patients using wheelchairs, recliners, and stretchers; and assisting patients in changing clothes for surgery.
- Measures and accurately records vital signs, including height and weight as needed. This includes measuring oral, tympanic, or temporal artery temperature, radial or apical pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate. Reports any deviation from normal to the RN.
- Assists with verifying NPO status prior to surgery and providing snacks/drinks after surgery as directed by the RN.
- Assist patients with elimination needs, including the use of bed pans and/or assisting to the restroom.
- Obtains and properly labels specimens for laboratory testing, such as urine HCG testing per protocol, blood sugar testing via glucometer, or other testing as directed by the RN.
- Uses equipment and supplies safely and appropriately. This includes the operation electronic blood pressure cuffs; setting up suction equipment and disposing of suction canisters; and applying and removing ice bags, intermittent pneumatic compression stockings; maintains and stocks unit with equipment and supplies; and prepares the unit in the morning for patient care activities or assist in closing the department at night.
- Demonstrated adherence to following aseptic technique; complies with universal/standard precautions; bagging and disposing of soiled linen and medical waste; replacing full sharps containers; cleaning equipment between patients’ use, and appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Documents care given as directed and documents tasks completed on daily/weekly/monthly checklists.
- Communicates effectively, including greeting and communicating professionally with patients, their families, and members of the health care team in a manner consistent with OAM Surgery Center at MidTowne values, standards and policies dealing with confidentiality; answering the patient call lights; reporting observations to the RN; and keeping the RN informed of care delivered.
- Provides clerical services for the department as necessary. This responsibility can include maintenance of unit clerical supplies; computer entry; and communication/coordinating incoming telephone information to the appropriate person.
- Performs errands as directed. This includes obtaining/returning charts to the front desk; retrieving patient belongings; and assisting with the transportation of patients either by wheelchair or stretcher. Assist with discharges by transporting patients from the center to their vehicles.
- Demonstrates flexibility while responding to the Surgery Centers’ needs, shows initiative in utilizing time effectively; works cooperatively with other team members to facilitate room cleaning and turnover time.
- Performs stocking responsibilities as assigned by the department. Helps maintain appropriate par levels of supplies and notifies appropriate personnel if supply levels become low. Assist in the ordering process by evaluating supplies on hand. Responsible for checking in of supplies when shipment arrives and ensuring packing slip is given to appropriate staff. Notifies appropriate staff when items on packing slip do not arrive. Responsible for placing supplies where they belong when shipment arrives.
- Supports the principles of quality assurance and process improvement including: functions as an effective team member; focus on meeting and exceeding the expectations of internal and external customers; strives for continual improvement in the systems and personal competency; supports other members of the health care team to achieve principles of QAPI through modeling them in own role.
- Assumes responsibility for continually improving own expertise. Participates in continuing education and in-service programs related to achieving and/or maintaining competency in assigned skills and enhancing team functioning and effectiveness.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- High School Diploma or GED required.
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) provider.
- Current CENA certification, nursing assistant certification, or medical assistant certification preferred.
- Previous ambulatory surgery center experience preferred.
Behavioral Expectations:
- Support the mission, vision, and values of the organization.
- Treat others and their ideas with respect and dignity.
- Set a good example for others.
- Be an active coach for everyone at the Surgery Center.
- Maintain the highest standards of honesty, integrity, and communication.
- Insist on excellence and be accountable to one another.
- Build group cohesiveness and pride through teamwork.
- Demonstrate confidence in OAM and its workforce in all areas of the community.
- Value and promote creativity and a sense of urgency.
- Be a good communicator and listener; be available and visible.
- Develop yourself to your highest potential.
- Active participation in Quality Initiatives.
Motor, sensory and physical requirements:
- Ability to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time.
- Manual dexterity required to operate modern office and exercise equipment.
- Employee must have normal or correctible range of hearing and eyesight.
- Lifting 100 lbs. maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 lbs.
