Nurse Care Assistant

Mary Free Bed: Restoring hope and freedom through rehabilitation.

Covenant HealthCare: Extraordinary care for every generation.

• Patient Care - The Nursing Care Assistant providesdirect patient care, as delegated by the RN and in accordance with this job description and applicable departmental policies and procedures. Patient care performed by a NCA includes, but is not limited to, the following:
  
  
  
  • Collects and monitors data and reports physiological, psychological, socio-cultural, and spiritual needs of the patient and families as directed by and in coordination with the patient's assigned RN.
  • Obtains and records vital signs, height, weight and other data as requested, using appropriate equipment and technique.
  • Provides direct patient care including feeding, collecting urine and stool specimens, patient hygiene, recording intake and output, and other responsibilities as outlined in department policies.
  • Acts as a safety attendant, as assigned, providing direct supervision under the direction of the RN to maintain the safety of the patient.
  • May monitor patients via virtual monitoring system and utilize microphone headset to communicate effectively to monitor patients.
  • Answers call lights in a timely, respectful manner.
  • Documents care via computer/written patient record according to department policies, including content and timeliness of documentation.
  • Provides input to the RN for use in an individualized plan of care for each patient
  • Assists the patient and family in learning appropriate self-care techniques, within the scope of the Nursing Care Assistant.
  • Ambulates, transports, and positions patients with proper body mechanics, applying o utilizing special equipment as necessary.
  • Provides diversion activities, comforts and supports patients and their family members.
  • Transports patients in a safe and timely manner to facilitate patient diagnostic testing and therapy sessions, as needed. Communicates with other team members in order to ensure continuity of care and coordination of services.
  • Maintains the patient's living environment in a clean, safe manner.
  • Cleans patient areas, work areas, and equipment, as needed. Communicates any equipment malfunctions to the Central Supply Department or Nursing Leadership Team, and removes equipment from patient care in accordance with department policies.
  • Assists with collection of quality data, as assigned by the RN, Clinical Care Coordinator, or Nurse Manager.
  • Demonstrates appropriate use of all patient care equipment, in accordance with departmental policies.
  
  
  
  

• Communication - Each staff member in the Nursing Department is responsible to communicate in a timely, professional and respectful manner at all times. Responsibilities of the Nursing Care Assistant include, but are not limited to:
  
  
  
  • Patients and their families or visitors are treated with kindness and respect.
  • Customers, physicians, and other staff members are treated with kindness and respect.
  • Maintains effective working relationships with employees throughout the organization.
  • Each employee treats patient call lights as a primary communication method between the patient and the caregiver, and promptly responds to call lights, in person, as soon as possible.
  • Delivers care in a manner that is culturally sensitive and preserves the dignity and rights of each patient. Deals discreetly and sensitively with confidential information, and follows all hospital policies related to protected health information.
  
  
  
  

• Customer Service - Each Nursing Care Assistant is required to demonstrate excellent customer service standards and behaviors in all interactions with colleagues, patients, family members, physicians, and other customers. The Mary Free Bed Standards of Behavior outlines expectations for performance in this area. This employee is responsible to understand how patient satisfaction is measured within the nursing department, the expectations related to customer service, and the action plans that are in place to improve the satisfaction of MFB at Covenant customers.

• Employee communication- The Nursing Care Assistantunderstands that communication with hospital and department leadership occurs in many ways, and that it is the responsibility of each employee to be aware of policy and practice changes. This information is shared through various methods such as administrative bulletins, staff meetings, bulletin board postings, email, department newsletters, individual discussions, and on the MFB intranet (InsideMFB).
• Employee training and competency assessments- Each Nursing Care Assistantis responsible to complete all required training and competency assessments prior to the posted deadlines. Questions about required education and competency modules should be addressed to a nurse educator or a member of the Nursing Leadership Team to ensure that the requirements are completed prior to the deadlines.
• Performance evaluations-Each Nursing Care Assistantwill meet with a member of the Nursing Leadership Team to complete an annual performance evaluation prior to the department or organizational deadline. The employee will provide input when reviewing goals and performance from the completed review period. The employee will work with the Nursing Leadership Team member to review organizational and departmental action plans, and to identify personal goals for the upcoming review period. If functioning as a preceptor, each NCA will collaborate with the assigned RN, Nursing Leadership Team member and Nurse Educator to provide a thorough and accurate orientation for the new team member.
• Safety policies- Each employee is responsible to demonstrate knowledge of and performance in accordance with hospital and department safety and infection control policies and procedures. Maintains a safe and clean working environment for the benefit of patients and staff.

• Fiscal Responsibility - Nursing Care Assistants have the following responsibilities related to fiscal responsibility:
  
  
  
  • Documents patient chargeable items according to department policies.
  • Avoids duplication and waste of supplies.
  • Arrives to work on time and works throughout the shift, unless taking a designated break.
  • If the Nursing Care Assistant does not have work to do, he/she asks a RN or a Nursing Leadership Team member for work to avoid downtime.
  • Avoids overtime, and if overtime is expected, communicates this in advance with the Nursing Leadership Team member so that alternatives can be explored.
  
  
  
  

• Licensure Requirements: None
• Education: High school graduate or equivalent GED required. Certified Nursing Assistant preferred.
• Current American Heart Association BLS Course for HealthCare Providers
• Physical Demands/Work Environment: The work environment described here are representative of those an employee will encounter while working as a Nursing Care Assistant at Mary Free Bed at Covenant. The ability to perform these tasks are required in order to provide the necessary patient care required by MFB patients:
  
  
  
  • Required to stand, sit, talk, type, read, and hear, required to use hands and arms to handle, feel, carry and work, required to frequently stand, walk, bend, kneel, and rise from a kneeling position while performing patient care, required to be independently mobile, with frequent bending, and reaching overhead, for activities such as positioning and transferring of patients and equipment,
  • Must be able to exert 20 to 35 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects(*).
  • Due to possible exposure to blood-borne pathogens and hazardous materials, must be able to understand and follow department policies related to employee safety.
  • Must be competent with computer systems for the purpose of documenting patient care.
  • Must be able to work effectively under time requirements and deadlines, problem-solve when facing unexpected issues, handle interruptions, and prioritize effectively.
  
  
  
  
• Experience: None required. Previous experience as a nurse technician or nursing assistant is preferred. Understanding of medical technology and rehabilitation care is preferred.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Talent Acquisition team at recruitment@maryfreebed.com.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees in this classification. If you require a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of this position, you must request accommodation in writing, within 182 days after you know or should know of the need for accommodation.