CCU Tech

CCU Patient Care Specialist

The CCU Patient Care Specialist provides care to patients in the Critical Care Unit under the supervision of the registered nurse. This care focuses primarily on personal hygiene, nutritional needs, and activities of daily living. The CCU Patient Care Specialist performs receptionist, secretarial, housekeeping, and restocking duties and serves as a communication liaison in the department. With excellent customer service skills, the CCU Patient Care Specialist performs sterile and non-sterile specimen collection (phlebotomy and straight catheterizations) after completing skill competency validation, in accordance with MercyOne North Iowa policy and procedure guidelines.

Essential Functions

• Assists with the patient's physical, psychosocial, environmental, spiritual, social, and educational needs and supports the patient's plan of care throughout the patient's stay.
• Effectively communicates pertinent patient changes/conditions to the Registered Nurse and multidisciplinary team to achieve desired patient outcomes, and documents in the electronic/paper medical record in an accurate/timely manner.
• Provides for patient comfort, safety, and protects dignity, privacy, and confidentiality.
• Communicates with internal/external customers/colleagues in a courteous, positive, empathic, and professional manner, and accepts assignments willingly.
• Attends and participates in departmental/organizational meetings, in-services, and educational opportunities. Department meeting attendance requirement: 80%, with 50% in person if department meetings are available by webinar
• Serves as a steward for the hospital's human and material resources. Meets productivity expectations of the unit/department as defined by the unit director. Utilizes and maintains appropriate supplies in the department. Checks oxygen tanks throughout the unit and replaces as needed. Ensure rooms are set up, the bed is zeroed, and all supplies required for admission are available. Performs QC on NovaStat glucometers and restocks supplies needed for point-of-care blood glucose testing.
• Verify in chart EKGs to be completed on patients and complete, print, save, and send to Muse.
• Supports staffing needs for patient care as needed, while being flexible with schedule and hours.
• Adapts positively to the ever-changing health care environment by supporting technology and process changes. Willing to learn new things, is open to change, and maintains a calm, positive manner under stressful conditions.
• Performs technical skills as delegated. Demonstrates proficiency in the use of equipment and patient care procedures, including catheterizations, according to MercyOne's policy and procedural guidelines.
• Following established standard work practices and using established safety precautions, collects blood specimens utilizing the appropriate venipuncture (Can they be trained to draw from CVC lines?) or capillary fingerstick with patients of all age groups, including adolescents, adults, and geriatrics.
• Collects routine therapeutic phlebotomies, point of care testing, and completes annual competencies.
• Accurately identifies patients before collection of specimens using two patient identifiers, and then accurately labels the specimens in the presence of the patient as established by laboratory policy.
• Operates computer equipment and software programs relative to the performance of essential job functions and other laboratory-related requirements. Follows and understands downtime procedures when any or all computer systems that affect laboratory orders are down.
• May gather laboratory results, radiology reports, medical records, and other data for review by the physician. The physician will review all data.
• Complete daily crash cart checks, check expiration dates of supplies used for patient care, including outdates of life-saving drugs in Armstrong carts in patient rooms.
• Takes an active role in supporting and assisting patients to provide progressive upward mobility. Assists with PT in providing mobility for the patient.
• Ensure all patients are adequately turned as per policy and/or patient condition requires. Champion and take a lead role in supporting, promoting, and providing expectations for the LEAF turn assistance device. Provide hands-on support, troubleshooting, and training to colleagues, helping to establish best practices for using the LEAF device to its full potential, thereby improving patient care and operational efficiency.
• Champion skin prevalence, awareness, and promotion of support to identify preexisting skin issues/pressure ulcers or those patients at high risk for pressure ulcers or the development of other skin issues. Assist with dressing changes to be completed.
• Are competent in understanding the quality measures in CCU, e.g., CAUTI, CLABSI, VAP, and skin breakdown/pressure ulcers, and support policies to ensure safe practice to prevent HAI.
• Ensure that all patients meeting guidelines for CHG bathing are being bathed and assist nursing in the completion of the task.
• May communicate waits and delays as directed by the nurse or physician.
• Are competent in EMR navigation and functionality as appropriate for their department and role in the organization.
• Maintains required department confidentiality and abides by HIPAA regulations.
• Provides competent patient care to the above indicated patient populations by obtaining and appropriately interpreting data, making appropriate decisions based on demonstrated knowledge of age-specific growth and development, and appropriately adapting procedures and treatments.
• Takes an active role in enhancing ability to carry out job functions through personal and professional/job-related growth and development, and participates in medical center and/or departmental education programs
• Communicates with and performs duties following the philosophy of MercyOne Medical Center North Iowa Mission, Vision, Values, and Cultural Beliefs.
• Supports and abides by all medical center, departmental, and safety policies and procedures. Proactively identifies safety concerns surrounding the work environment.
• Performs other responsibilities as requested by supervisor, manager, or department head.

Additional Functions

• Assists in maintaining adequate supplies on the unit.
• Serves as a preceptor for new staff.
• Serves on unit-specific committees, promoting quality, patient care, skill/technical knowledge, individual development, and personal growth

Position Qualifications

A. Education (Formal)

High school diploma or equivalent is preferred.

AND one of the following:

Successful completion of a formal Nurse Aide course/training, verified through transcript or original certificate of completion (required).

OR

Current enrollment in an A.D.N. or B.S.N. program with:

• Successful completion of the first semester of an A.D.N. program, OR
• Successful completion of the first year of nursing courses in a B.S.N. program, OR
• Graduation from an A.D.N., Diploma, B.S.N., M.A., Surgical Tech, or LPN program, OR
• Certification as EMS or EMT.

OR

Active or eligible listing on the State of Iowa Nurse Aide Registry (preferred).

OR

Participation in the MercyOne North Iowa TNAP program.

OR

Paramedic.

Experience

• Nursing Assistant experience preferred.
• Basic computer skills required.
• Previous blood drawing experience preferred.
• Medical terminology training or proficiency preferred.

Special Skills and Competencies

Ability to prioritize multiple orders or requests quickly and accurately to ensure timely patient care.

Excellent customer service skills.

Effective communication skills with hospital personnel and patients.

Ability to work independently and follow through on assignments with minimal supervision.

Understanding that errors may have serious consequences for patients.

Ability to read, write, and/or speak English.

Mandatory Courses (as applicable)

• Must provide proof of Basic Life Support (BLS) AHA BLS Provider or Red Cross Professional Rescuerbefore employment or within 60 days of hire, and maintain current certification.
• Must provide proof of Mandatory Reporting for Child and Dependent Adult Abuse training before employment or within 6 months of hire, and maintain status per State of Iowa requirements.

Additional certifications (if required by department):

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) American Heart Association (within 6 months of hire; maintain current status).
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) American Heart Association (within 6 months of hire; maintain current status).
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) American Heart Association (within