Unit Assistant - Observation

Position Summary: Responsible for taking on a variety of administrative tasks that support nursing unit operations and the delivery of effective and efficient services to meet the needs of patients and families. This includes establishing and maintaining efficient communication, accurate data entry, maintaining inventory of identified forms and supplies, and other support activities.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

1. Helps patients by responding to intercom requests; obtaining needed services from nurses, licensed practical nurses, physicians, aides, and other hospital personnel.
2. Greets visitors in person or on the telephone and answers inquiries; relays calls to patients; gives directions; refers inquiries to nursing and physician staff.
3. Performs varied administrative tasks such as maintaining department logs & reports, scheduling appointments, typing, filing, copying, faxing and ordering office supplies and equipment supplies to ensure the functionality and coordination of the department’s activities.
4. Performs a variety of computer/data entry functions to support patient care including establishing and maintaining patient record; may enter nursing and physician notes and orders; handling the majority of a patient's paperwork, such as discharge, admission, and personal information forms.
5. Performs varied administrative tasks such as answering the phone, greeting visitors, scheduling appointments, typing, filing, copying, faxing and ordering office supplies and equipment supplies to ensure the functionality and coordination of the department’s activities.
6. Ensures compliance with all health care regulations, including HIPAA and OSHA.
7.       Perform other related duties as required and directed.

        8. Telemetry Observation 

·         Provides constant observation of monitors for assigned patients. Ensures appropriate coverage when leaving area.

·         Maintains telemetry and uses alarms as designated by the responsible nurse, ensures alarms are functioning properly.

·         Reports rhythm changes and monitor condition to responsible nurse as they occur.

·         Seeks assistance from responsible nurse in identification of any unusual rhythm.

·         Places EKG paper in monitors as needed.

·         Reports immediately any malfunctions of telemetry/monitor units to charge nurse.  Works to resolve problems immediately.

·         Runs monitor strips and labels on each assigned patient every shift, with rhythm changes, and as requested, according to unit standards and procedures.

·         Achieves a passing score on annual telemetry re-certification.