Care Partner - 6 South: MedSurg Neuro & Stroke

##### 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

The duties and responsibilities described below represent the general tasks performed on a daily basis; other tasks may be assigned.

##### General Patient Care / Procedures

• Demonstrate accuracy in taking vital signs, measuring intake/output, and completing activities of daily living as directed; document data via the electronic medical record.
• Demonstrate competency in determining orthostatic blood pressures.
• Perform blood glucose monitoring.
• Collect, transport, and perform data entry for lab specimens per policy.
• Obtain blood products from Blood Bank per policy.
• Effectively notify the nurse of pertinent changes in patient’s condition.
• Maintain/stock adequate supplies and equipment, including but not limited to patient rooms, medication room supplies, and emergency airway supplies at bedside.
• Follow established routines and utilize supplies and equipment in a cost\-effective manner.

##### Communication

• Maintain and promote effective relationships with peers, physicians, other hospital departments, patients, and families.
• Utilize excellent verbal, nonverbal, and written communication skills.
• Maintain accountability for intradepartmental communication.
• Effectively communicate with all patient populations based on their age and developmental needs.
• Effectively communicate patient needs with the nurse caring for the patient.
• All procedures/interventions must be reported to the responsible Nurse or Charge Nurse.
• All patient responses to any intervention/procedure must be reported to the appropriate Nurse or Charge Nurse.

##### Safety and Environment

• Assure a safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors by following all safety precautions and procedures.
• Adhere to patient safety and identification policies and procedures.
• Provide a safe area for all patients, ensuring side rails are up as needed, and call lights are within reach.
• Identify patients at risk for injury and participate in instituting measures to prevent or reduce the risk.
• Adhere to Age\-Appropriate Protocols to ensure patient safety based on developmental needs.
• Contribute to the prevention of infectious diseases among employees, patients, and visitors by adhering to Infection Control policies and procedures.
• Complete employee accident reports as required.
• Respond to patient monitor alarms and call bells in a timely fashion.
• Initiate timely emergency measures as appropriate according to role responsibilities.
• Be constantly aware of noise levels in the department and maintain a quiet environment for patients.
• Provide a calm, reassuring atmosphere for patients, significant others, and families.

##### People / Human Resources Management

• Demonstrate the ability to ensure compliance with policies and procedures.
• Effectively communicate the vision, mission, and goals of Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, including hospital and unit\-specific dashboards.
• Contribute to a healthy, collaborative, open work environment conducive to teamwork and communication.
• Follow administrative protocols consistently.
• Demonstrate constructive and effective relationships with staff, peers, and customers.
• Emphasize a team approach to work.
• Organize and reprioritize work based on patient needs, available resources, and unit requirements.
• Support compliance with hospital accreditation, state licensure, and other external accrediting agency requirements.
• Respond positively to change and demonstrate 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 equivalent preferred but not required.

* Preferred Education: Successful completion of a Nursing Assistant certification course or program.

• Candidates without a high school diploma or equivalent will be required to complete a reading and writing assessment. Must be at least 18 years of age to work in a direct care setting.

##### Certifications, Licenses, and Registrations

• BLS within 90 days of hire.
• Certified Nursing Assistant license preferred.