UNIT SEC-ACT at Forrest General Hospital – Picayune, Mississippi

Job Summary:

The Acute Care Technician/Unit Secretary works closely with RNs/LPNs, operating under their direct supervision, and undertakes delegated responsibilities aimed at delivering high-quality patient care. They actively participate in the implementation phase of the nursing process and are organizationally accountable to the Patient Care Coordinator. The ACT/US is responsible for the secretarial aspects of patient care, including, but not limited to, answering call lights and phones, speaking with visitors, scheduling follow-up appointments, calling consults, and ordering supplies and the environmental management of the work unit. They function directly under the supervision of the Patient Care Coordinator and are directly accountable to the Director of Acute Care Services. This role entails possessing the requisite knowledge and skills to provide technical care tailored to the age of the patients served. Additionally, they demonstrate proficiency in understanding the principles of growth and development, collecting and conveying pertinent patient data to the nursing team, and interpreting essential information necessary to address each patient's age-specific needs while maintaining professionalism and adhering to departmental policies and procedures.

Performance Expectations:

• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide reliable assistance to the members of the team, including nurses, the director, and mid-level providers and physicians.

• Demonstrates good customer service skills when interacting with patients, visitors, and co-workers.

• Follows department policies and procedures and helps ensure that the unit runs efficiently.

• Consistently plans patient care collaboratively with other disciplines to align with individualized patient goals and needs.

• Effectively accesses and utilizes the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) for delivering patient care.

• Applies knowledge of age-specific patient requirements, catering to both pediatric and adult needs, when performing job duties and responsibilities.

• Possesses the requisite knowledge and skills to safely and appropriately execute job-specific tasks related to safety, security, emergency preparedness, hazardous material control, life safety, and utility systems as detailed in the hospital's environment of care plan.

• Executes patient interventions with competence, including vital signs assessment, reporting of abnormal values, providing Foley catheter care, managing rectal tubes, colostomies, ileostomies, assisting patients with activities of daily living, including emptying rectal tubes, colostomies, ileostomies, and feeding patients while assisting with meals.

• Ensures that patient rooms and surrounding areas are clean and maintained in accordance with hospital standards, promoting a safe and hygienic environment.

• Safely operates a variety of equipment, including but not limited to Automated Blood Pressure Machines, manual blood pressure monitors, glucometers, patient warmers, EMR systems, Automated Sequential Compression Devices (SCD’s), portable and wall suctions, portable and wall oxygen, patient beds, Purewick catheters, printers, fax machines, scanners, station monitors, Cisco IP phones, call light systems, label makers, and telemetry equipment, including changing out telemetry batteries and ensuring telemetry is on.

• Following phlebotomy training, proficiently draws blood for laboratory testing.

• Maintains the capability to provide one-on-one monitoring for suicide precautions and employs de-escalation techniques with non-confrontational interventions as needed.

Qualifications:

Education/Skills:

Diploma/GED required. Must successfully complete clinical orientation.

Work Experience:

Prior experience working as a Nurse Aide / tech preferred.

Certification/Licensure - DUE UPON HIRE:

• None

Additional Certification/Licensure - Obtained based on required timeframe below:

• Basic Life Support

Within 30 Days of Employment

Required

• Rhythm Strip Interpretation for Techs

Within 30 Days of Employment

Required

Mental Demands:

Ability to critically think and perform as a team member, cooperate with others, follow directions precisely, demonstrate initiative, set priorities and function under stress.