Job Description

University of Utah Job Description

Job Summary

Health Care Assistant - CPOE Authorized

Provides patient care at the direction of a Registered Nurse. Requires direct contact with patients and their families as well as the performance of indirect patient care activities necessary to support patients and their environment.

Qualifications

Current Certification as a Nursing Assistant or Home Health Aide or completion of first round of clinicals and current enrollment in approved nursing education program. Life Support Health Care Provider card or obtain one within one month of hire required, and demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills are also required.

One of the following: Current Advanced EMT certification with the State of Utah; Current certification to practice as a Paramedic in the State of Utah; Current Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) through AAMA; Current Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) through AMT; Current Medical Assistant Certification through NCCT; Current Clinical Medical Assistant Certification through NHA; Credentialed for Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE).

Proficient in EHR order entry as demonstrated by knowledge in the following areas; anatomy and physiology, basic laboratory values, critical thinking, electronic health records, Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), medical terminology and pharmacology.

This position is patient-sensitive and must fulfill all associated requirements. We protect our patients, coworkers and community by requiring all patient-sensitive employees to be immunized according to CDC standards and hospital policy. Limited exemptions may be made for documented medical contraindications or religious beliefs that object to vaccinations.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Disclaimer

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Essential Functions

1. Provides assistive care to patients. Facilitates the efficient delivery of patient care, supports the professional role of the licensed staff, and provides support and assistance as directed.
2. Assists the patient with feeding, drinking, ambulating, grooming, toileting, dressing, socializing and unit specific technical skills.
3. Reinforces or assists in educating and teaching patients/significant other(s) as delegated by the professional care provider.
4. Collects, reports and documents data related to direct patient care activities.
5. Assists with indirect patient care activities such as providing a clean, efficient and safe patient care environment, companion care, chaperoning the physician during patient examinations/procedures, housekeeping, transporting, stocking and maintenance tasks.
6. Performs unit specific duties as required.
7. Accepts delegated tasks as appropriate to training and certification.
8. Performs as an integral component of the health care team.

Problem Solving

This position performs selected patient care tasks and procedures under the supervision of a registered nurse and as authorized and defined in the procedural guide for Health Care Assistants. Assistance from professional nursing staff is required to solve problems. Major challenges encountered by the incumbent include initiating appropriate action in emergency/crisis situations which require the incumbent to evaluate the crises and determine what the protocol is for each situation.

Comments

Work Environment and Level of Frequency that may be required:

Nearly Continuously: Office environment.

Often: Infectious disease, oils (there is air or skin exposure to oils or other cutting fluids),

Seldom: hazards (includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, or exposure to chemicals).

Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be required

Nearly Continuously: Hearing, listening, talking.

Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), walking, standing, sitting. 

Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead.

The staff member must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.  The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development and the ability to assess data regarding the patient's status and provide care as described in the department's policies and procedures manual.