Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the supervision and guidance of a registered nurse, the Care tech is responsible for assisting with direct patient care within the scope of their practice as well as other work on the unit, which supports the patient environment.  The Care tech assists staff to ensure optimal patient care, including providing for the personal care and comfort of psychiatric patients, and assists the healthcare team to provide and maintain a clean, safe, and attractive environment for patients.  Work will include components of direct patient care, nutrition, observation, documentation, transportation of patients and supplies, and general maintenance of the patient environment.  Assist clinical team members by performing a variety of duties for patients within the patient focused care system and under the direction/supervision of a registered nurse.  Participates in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities. Care tech may be asked to work or float to different areas of the hospital.

POSITION EDUCATION/ QUALIFICATIONS­:

• High school/GED preferred.
• CPI training required within 30 days of hire date.
• Current CNA certification required.
• Current BLS/CPR certification required.
• Good written and verbal communication skills required.
• Ability to read, write and speak English

• Must be able to be sensitive to cultural and bilingual issues.

• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely with all levels of nursing, administration, and physicians
• Prefer hospital experience

JOB KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE­:

• Six (6) months – One (1) year experience as a nursing assistant; behavioral health setting preferred
• Requires strong communication and organizational skills.

• Must have excellent customer service skills.

• Requires reasoning ability and good independent judgment.
• Must present a professional image.
• Requires working with frequent interruptions.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITES:

• Promotes the facility mission, vision and values by effectively communicating them to others. Considers mission, vision and values in developing services, standards and practices

• Demonstrates ethical and appropriate behavior for clinical environment to include, but not limited to, dignity, patient’s rights and privacy, and the maintenance of confidentiality of patient information.

• Does not leave the client unattended at any time.
• Identify any contraband and dispose of it appropriately.
• Orients patients to the unit.
• Performs and records patient vital signs, intake and output; notifies RN of any changes.
• Provides general nursing care, i.e., transferring patients, assisting with ADLs.
• Continuously observes patients' behavior, mental status and activities, notifies RN of any changes or unusual occurrences and documents this as required
• Demonstrates the ability to identify behaviors that require intervention.
• Escorts patients when leaving the unit for activities and scheduled tests.
• Able to perform patient safety checks at scheduled times, documents appropriately.
• Responsible for one-to-one observation for high-risk patients, room checks and documentation
• Able to assist with restraining a patient, placing a patient in seclusion and redirecting patients as appropriate
• Participates in patient care conferences.
• Communicates appropriately and clearly to the Nurse Manager, RNs and physicians.
• Demonstrates the ability to set limits for patients and other de-escalation techniques.
• Orients new staff members to the staff.
• Assists with therapeutic groups under the direction of the RN.

• Assures that patient equipment and supplies are available and are in operating condition.
• Maintains knowledge of and conforms to Hospital policy/procedures.
• Assists department manager with various clerical duties as directed
• Assists the floor with C.N.A. duties and assumes full patient caseload when not on 1:1 supervision with a patient.
• Other duties as assigned

LINES OF REPSONSIBILITES:

(Chain-of-command)

Charge Nurse   →   2.  Administrator →    3. Director   →    4.  VP of Behavioral Hospital