Health Care Assistant- Emergency Dept

SUMMARY:

Hennepin Healthcare is hiring a .8 (64 hours per 2 week pay period) Health Care Assistant (HCA)/Certified Nursing Assistant/EMT in the Emergency Department. This position works 8 hour shifts, evenings, and every other weekend.

A sign-on bonus is available for qualifying positions and eligible external candidates. (current employees, contract or temporary workers, rehires within a year, and those hired into the nursing assistant program are ineligible).

Within the context of Hennepin Healthcare System (HHS) culture of Patient & Family Centered Care and under direct RN supervision, the Health Care Assistant contributes to the health and well-being of assigned patients by performing quality patient care, technical procedures and related duties that meet established standards. Acts as a competent, caring and collaborative member of the patient care team. May provide clerical support for the unit including identified EHR duties, answering phones, coordinating unit communication, etc.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Using principles of Patient & Family Centered Care develops and maintains a positive working relationship with patient and family, team members, department and medical center personnel

Assists patients with activities of daily living, including hygiene, grooming, and bathing

Responds to patients call lights in a timely manner, identifies patient needs and provides patients with appropriate response or communicates needs to appropriate team member

Performs intentional rounding in collaboration with the RN

Takes and records patient’s vital signs as prescribed by nursing protocol or physician order

Measures, and records patient intake and output according to established protocol and order

Conducts point of care tests as assigned and/or delegated

Communicates any changes or pertinent information related to the patient’s physical appearance and attitude, I & O, vital signs, and point of care testing to the nurse. Records which nurse was notified for all abnormal results

Keeps patient room neat, clean and orderly. Changes bed linen as scheduled and as needed

Escorts patients on foot or transports patients on carts, beds or in wheelchairs

Procures and stocks equipment and supplies, and insures that equipment is operable and clean

Greets and relays information to appropriate staff, physicians, or family members

Takes inventory of patient belongings and valuables as well as documents and secures

Collects specimens using clean technique and labels appropriately

Disposes of trash, linens and supplies in an appropriate manner

Ensures patient and supply rooms are properly stocked; linen is covered

Supports unit and medical center compliance with Regulatory standards, customer service and other initiatives

May perform various technical procedures after training, competency validation, and upon delegation from a Registered Nurse, such as maintaining oxygen equipment, performing oral suctioning, routine incision care, providing skin care, applying and changing non-sterile dressings, applying warm and cold compresses or non-prescription topical creams/ointments, 12 lead EKG’s, phlebotomies, and discontinuing IVs, saline locks and foley catheters

Records actions in the EHR.

Performs clerical duties in EHR; answers phones and triages calls appropriately.

Performs all responsibilities/duties required by Patient Care Services as defined in the scope of service, to assure that the unique nature of the clients is addressed

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications:

Current certification on the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry upon hire* (Maintenance of certification/registry is not required after hire.)

-And/or-

Completion of one semester of clinical rotation within an accredited nursing program

-And/or-

Enroll in and successful completion of the Hennepin Healthcare determined Nursing Assistant program

-And/or-

6 months of acute nursing assistance experience

Preferred Qualifications:

High school graduate or equivalent

Basic Life Support

Training/equivalent experience as a nursing assistant, CNA, or EMT

Current student (enrolled) in a 4 year RN program

Experience with EPIC and/or similar electronic health record system

One year Nursing Assistant experience in a similar (hospital) setting

Knowledge/ Skills/ Abilities:

Knowledge of basic medical terminology

Basic computer knowledge

Ability to work cohesively and respectfully with a diverse work force and patient population

Ability to prioritize, organize, and communicate with multidisciplinary staff

Ability to adapt to sometimes rapidly changing and unpredictable situations

Ability to read and follow written instructions; understand and communicate verbal and written information

Ability to perform job duties that meet departmental performance expectations as well as HCMC standards related to quality, accuracy, productivity, patient & family centered care, customer service, etc.

License/Certifications:

Possession of a nursing assistant certificate from the Minnesota Department of Health may be required.