Care Partner-Stepdown

Summary
Care Partners are responsible for assisting the nurse in providing patient care. Activities are based on the unit's specific needs and are performed within the scope of education, training and experience of the Care Partner.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties
These duties and responsibilities described below represent the general tasks performed on a daily basis; other tasks may be assigned.
§ General Patient Care/Procedures
o Demonstrate accuracy in taking vital signs, measuring intake/output, and completing activities of daily living as directed; document data via the electronic medical record
o Demonstrate competency competent in determining orthostatic blood pressures
o Perform blood glucose monitoring
o Collect, transport, and perform data entry for lab specimens per policy
o Obtain blood products from Blood Bank per policy
o Effectively notify nurse of pertinent changes in patient’s condition
o Maintain/stock adequate supplies and equipment to include but not limited to patient rooms, med room supplies, and emergency airway supplies at bedside
o Follow established routines and utilize supplies and equipment in a cost effective manner
§ Communication
o Maintain and promote effective relationships with peers, physicians, other hospital departments, patients, and families
o Utilize excellent verbal, nonverbal, and written communication
o Maintain accountability for intradepartmental communication
o Effectively communicate with all patient populations based on their age and developmental needs
o Effectively communicate patient needs with the nurse caring for the patient
o All procedures/interventions must be reported to the responsible Nurse or Charge Nurse
o All patient responses to any intervention/procedure are reported to the appropriate Nurse or Charge Nurse
§ Safety and Environment
o Assure a safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors by following all safety precautions and procedures in the performance of job duties
o Adhere to patient safety and identification policy and procedures
o Provide a safe area for all patients, ensuring that side rails are up as needed, and call lights are given to each patient
o Identify patients at risk for injury and participate in instituting measures to prevent/reduce the risk
o Adhere to Age Appropriate Protocols in order to ensure patient safety based on development needs
o Contribute to prevention of infectious diseases among employees, patients, and visitors by adhering to Infection Control policies and procedures
o Complete employee accident reports
o Respond to patient monitor alarms and call bells in a timely fashion
o Initiate timely emergency measures as appropriate according to role responsibilities
o Be constantly aware of noise level in the department and keep noise at a minimum to provide a quit area for the patient population
o Provide a calm, reassuring atmosphere for the patient, significant others, and family
o People/Human Resources Management
o Demonstrate the ability to ensure compliance with policies and procedures
o Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate the vision, mission and goals of Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, including hospital and unit specific dashboards
o Demonstrate the ability to contribute to a healthy, collaborative, open work environment that is conducive to teamwork and encourages communication
o Demonstrate the ability to follow administrative protocols
o Demonstrate constructive and effective relationships with staff, peers, and customers
o Emphasizes the team approach to work
o Organize and reprioritize work based on patient needs, available resources, and unit requirements
o Support compliance with hospital accreditation, state licensure, and other external accrediting agency requirements
o Respond positively to change; show willingness to learn new ways to accomplish work
§ Attend required hospital-wide orientations, meetings, and in-services
§ Demonstrate a commitment to flexible work scheduling when necessary to ensure patient care

Qualifications:

Education and Experience
Minimum Required Education: High school diploma or GED equivalent is required if no post-high-school education (certifications or licenses) can be verified.
Preferred Education: Successful completion of a Care Partner certification course, CNA course or program.
Experience: One year of similar or like work experience in a healthcare setting required.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
Applicant must hold a current BLS certification.
Certified Nursing Assistant license preferred.