Nursing Attendant

Nursing Attendant

Under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse or physician, performs a variety of patient care functions as assigned and in accordance with the legal scope of competency and within established standards of care, policies and procedures. Demonstrates performance consistent with the Medical Center Vision, Mission, and Strategic Plan of the organization. Remains flexible to changing systems; is expected to demonstrate quality and effectiveness in work habits in delivery of care; and treats co-workers, patients, families, and all members of the health care team with dignity and respect.

Essential Responsibilities:

The Nursing Attendant demonstrates proficiency by exhibiting the following skills, competencies, and behaviors.

Leadership

• Upholds Kaiser Permanente's Policies and Procedures, Principles of Responsibilities and applicable state, federal and local laws.
• Demonstrates a professional, supportive attitude. Identifies and supports new ideas.
• Utilizes effective communication strategies, including chain of command and issue escalation, which result in intended outcomes.
• Participates in problem identification and resolution in collaboration with the Registered Nurse.
• Prioritizes work assignments appropriately to ensure completion of patient care activities and notifies Registered Nurse if unable to complete assignments.
• Complies with regulatory requirements, policies, procedures, and standards of practice.

Nursing Process

• Correctly identifies patient and scheduled procedure. Performs patient care activities, within the scope of competency, considering age-related needs of the patient as assigned.
• Reports unusual findings to the Registered Nurse.
• Collects data and provides information in a timely manner to the Registered Nurse which may assist within the revision of the plan of care.
• Discharge barriers are discussed with the Registered Nurse and intervention taken as directed.
• Adheres to hospital standards, which customize care for age-related needs of the population served.
• Keep health care team members informed regarding patients responses to interventions with their scope of competency.
• Documentation Charting is legible, dated, and signed.
• Documentation reflects through data collection within the scope of competency.
• Documentation is complete for activities performed.
• Clinical Outcomes Applies standard precautions; keeps a safe environment for self and others.
• Observes patient/family conditions and reports to Registered Nurse sudden changes or unusual findings.
• Demonstrates competencies during the probationary period and ongoing by completion of departmental competency validation.
• Transports patients, equipment, supplies, and specimens throughout the medical center utilizing proper body mechanics.
• Participates in departmental performance improvement activities, i.e., planning, measuring/monitoring, assessing and improving. Utilizes computer systems effectively and efficiently.

Customer Service

• Practices customer service standards as defined by the Service Area, Medical Center, and specific department.
• Anticipates the customers desires, takes proactive steps to meet those needs by listening and taking responsibility within scope to ensure issues are resolved.
• Assists members who are less than satisfied with their experience by listening and taking responsibility within their scope to ensure that the issue is resolved.
• Promptly answers call lights, alarms, and patient requests.
• Under the direction of the Registered Nurse, gives patients and their significant others the information needed within their scope of competency.
• Maintains and protects patient confidentiality.
• Assures a clean, orderly and functional work environment.

Team Commitment

• Viewed by others to be an effective team member who is flexible, cooperative, and willing to assist others.
• Confronts difficult or conflict situations constructively and seeks appropriate assistance.
• Takes accountability for own actions and accepts constructive criticism.
• Assists others unfamiliar to the department.
• Attends all mandatory meetings and inservices, a minimum of 50% of staff meetings, and actively participates in other departmental professional development. (Requirement may vary for per diem staff).
• Participates with the assessment of current and future unit learning needs and development of annual educational plan.
• Keeps self-informed of activities on the unit and makes recommendation for change.
• Adheres to Regional Attendance Policy.
• Reports to assigned area promptly, being present and available for report at beginning of assigned shift.
• Minimizes personal phone call time.
• Supports a collaborative labor-management partnership environment.

Fiscal Responsibility

• Organizes work to minimize the use of overtime. Identifies and assists in systems improvement that need simplification or correction. Utilizes payroll and non-payroll resources to their maximum potential.

Basic Qualifications:

Experience

• Minimum one (1) year experience as a Nursing Attendant in an acute hospital, skilled nursing, extended care, or convalescent care setting.
• Current enrollment in an approved RN or LVN program may be substituted for 1 year of experience.
• Per the National Agreement, current KP Coalition employees have this experience requirement waived.

Education

• State Certification as a Nursing Assistant or completion of a Nursing Attendant course or current enrollment in an approved RN or LVN program.

License, Certification, Registration

• Basic Life Support

Additional Requirements:

• Certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant may be required as specified by Medical Center.
• Position requires considerable walking, standing, moderate lifting, exposure to patient elements, and handling of emergencies and patient incidents within their scope of competency.
• Communicates in a clear, concise manner appropriate to the development stage of the patient.
• Has full command of the English language (written and verbal).
• Neonatal Resuscitation Modules 1-4 required for Family Centered Care.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Some positions may be posted as bilingual Spanish required on a position-by-position basis. May be expected to float to other areas within their scope of competency. Willing to be trained on computer systems.
• Certified Nurse Assistant