Unit Assistant

Qualifications

• Grade 12 education (MB Standards)
• Health Care Aide Certificate from a recognized educational institute
• Ward Clerk certification from a recognized educational institute
• Other combinations of suitable education and experience may be considered
• Current Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) Training as delineated in Prairie Mountain Health Policy PPG-00002 CPR Training
• Proficiency with Microsoft programs (Outlook, Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint), as well as Internet applications and other Information Technology
• Demonstrated organizational skills, and the ability to work independently
• Demonstrated problem solving and decision making skills
• Demonstrated flexibility to facilitate changes in techniques and procedures in a changing environment
• Demonstrated knowledge and competence of skills and concepts related to the position
• Demonstrated communication skills
• Ability to respect and promote confidentiality
• Ability to perform the duties of the position on a regular basis
• Ability to respect and promote a culturally diverse population
• Ability to work effectively and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, clients and within interdisciplinary team

Position Summary

The Unit Assistant acts as a member of the health care team, assisting with patient care and providing basic supportive care as directed. The Unit Assistant demonstrates a commitment to the vision, values, goals, and objectives of the region/facility/unit.

Responsibilities

Overview

Advocates On Behalf Of The PMH As a Whole

• Promotes the mission, vision and goals of the PMH
• Maintains confidentiality in accordance with the Personal Health Information Act (PHIA), Freedom of Information and Privacy Protection Act (FIPPA), RHA policies and any other applicable legislation
• Adheres to all policies and procedures
• Reports for work as scheduled in a prompt manner

Acts as a receptionist to assigned area

• Schedules patients to receive planned services
• Receives and relays telephone, P.A. (public announcement) and other messages for physicians, ward personnel and patients as necessary
• Receives and directs all patients/visitors in a kind and courteous manner
• Collects and distributes mail for assigned area

Ensures patient charts are maintained/filed in a timely and accurate manner

• Transcribes physician orders, completes requisition for lab, etc., and ensures charts are complete
• Assembles charts on arrival of the patient and maintains adequate supply of pre-assembled charts
• Assembles, checks and returns charts to Health Records upon discharge or death of patient
• Processes identification signs for above patient beds and ensures accuracy daily

Provides administrative support, general correspondence and filing

• Accuracy, efficiency, timeliness, and diligence are displayed in the accomplishment of all assigned duties with a minimum of direct supervision
• Ability to prioritize duties and responsibilities
• Maintain a neat and orderly work environment
• Maintains records and/or statistical reports as required
• Supports admission, transfer and discharge under the direction of manager
• Maintains an adequate filing system under the direction of the manager
• Maintains W.H.M.I.S. Manual under the direction of the manager
• Orders and stocks supply for the unit, and obtains quotes as assigned by the manager
• Maintains revisions to policies and procedures and ensures they are placed in the appropriate manuals
• Maintains unit ledgers/records and compiles statistical monthly reports
• Arranges follow-up appointments with physicians following patient discharge when required
• Faxes telephone consult forms to appropriate agencies (i.e.: echograms, CT scans, angiograms, etc.) and notifies patient of dates as required
• Maintains and updates patient diet orders
• Ensures appropriate ward kitchen inventory

Ensures effective communication within the department and the organization

• Communicates and consults with the manager
• Attends staff meetings
• Notifies staff of departmental meetings and maintains records of same
• Maintains communication book and memo board
• Effective communication skills and interpersonal relationships are demonstrated on an ongoing basis

Maintains a clean, sanitary and organized work environment including equipment

• Ensures the equipment is in good working order and reports faulty devices to the charge nurse, Clinical Resource Nurse, or Clinical Team Manager
• Adheres to the cleaning schedule which includes cleaning of common ward equipment which includes but is not limited to stretchers, patient lifts, blood pressure machines

Maintains a clean, sanitary and organized environment for patients/ residents/ clients

• Serves meals / hands out meal trays following meal service where applicable
• Provides a neat and clean environment for all patients/residents maintain to code of cleanliness and sanitation as outlined in the infection Control Procedures
• Makes beds
• General cleaning and tidying of the patient/ resident care areas

Ensures personal care, comfort and dignity of patient/resident

• Provides basic personal care to patients/clients in a prompt efficient manner while treating each patient/resident with respect
• Uses techniques that enable the patient/resident to utilize their maximum ability while making personal choices
• Ensures personal comfort and care of patient/residents during completion of activities of daily living
• Meets basic human needs related to elimination, hygiene, mobility, nutrition, recreation, rest, safety, social and spiritual needs
• Washes hair, skin, nail, oral, ear and perineal, back massage and care to pressure areas, as well as, colostomy and ileostomy care
• Assists with hearing aids, glasses and prosthesis
• Assists with bowel and bladder care routines, preserving each patient/resident abilities and dignity
• Assist with dressing and undressing, promoting the patient/resident individuality, dignity and freedom of choice
• Assists each patient/resident meets the dietary requirements by feeding, utilizing special devices, monitoring and encouraging food and fluid intake and assessing feeding and swallowing disorders related to a medical diagnosis
• Guides patient/resident to participate in activities which are meaningful, purposeful and therapeutic within their abilities and desires
• Maintains a clean, sanitary and organized environment for patients/ residents/ client’s activity

Promotes safety and health in the workplace

• Positions, turns and transfers patients/ residents using proper body mechanics that provide for safety of both patients/ elders and self
• Operates mechanical equipment according to established safety standards
• Follows established safe work practices
• Uses appropriate safety devices
• Ensures that equipment is in good working order and reports faulty mechanisms to the nurse in charge
• Knowledgeable in facility fire, safety and disaster plans as well as policies and procedures related to security and patient/resident care
• Reports incidents that result in injury to patients/residents, staff, visitors or self and reports unsafe acts and workplace hazards
• Assists in determining the cause of accidents and supportive to corrective action
• Initial clean-up of bodily fluids
• Cooperates with the Workplace Safety and Health Committee and others on safety and health issues
• Utilized interventions to minimize the need for restraints
• When ordered maintains and monitors restraints application

Maintains adequate inventory of personal care items on the ward and patient rooms

• Restocks hygiene supplies as per schedule
• Replenishes supplies in patient/ resident care areas
• Adheres to the cleaning schedule which includes assistive mobility aids, tub room, utility rooms patient/resident personal care items
• Distributes personal laundry where applicable

Prepares instruments for sterilization

• Gathers, washes and redistributes sterile supplies such as bedpans and urinals

Assists with mobility and rehabilitative support

• Assists with mobilization and provision of rehabilitative support for patients/residents based on their individualized care plan
• Uses rehabilitative devices including transfer belts, walkers, wheel chairs and whirlpool tubs according to operating instructions
• Assists patients/residents to maintain independence
• Provides rand of motion exercises while doing ADL’s (where applicable)
• Weighs patients/residents and records accordingly
• Collects specimens as directed
• Application of splints

Ensures documentation

• Keeps current by reading the communication book where applicable; ADL sheets, care plans, report book and staff meeting minutes

Ensures client/patient/resident relationships

• Demonstrates a kind and compassionate approach with genuine concern for the patients/residents
• Supportive of an environment that allows the freedom of choice, privacy and personal beliefs
• Responds to call bells promptly
• Respects patient/resident individuality and plans care around the patient/resident routine as much as possible
• Encourages patient/resident autonomy to preserve dignity and self-esteem
• Promotes quality of life
• Acts as a patient/resident advocate
• Encourages patients/residents to participate in programs and provides personal care at appropriate times to facilitate participation
• Takes opportunities while providing care to spend quality one-to-one time with patients/residents
• Recognizes the family/significant other as an integral patient/resident care
• Maintains care and security of patient/resident possessions
• Readily offers assistance to any of the patients/residents

Ensures effective communication within the department and organization

• Communicates with department staff, individually and as a group, to promote efficient functioning and high morale
• Communicates with other managers to achieve efficient function of all services
• Liaison with outside agencies as required
• Follows proper accurate shift report
• Documents in the patient/resident flow sheet
• Reports all pertinent information and observation in a timely manner
• Answers the phone professionally and relays messages appropriately
• Reports unusual incidents to the nurse in charge and completes occurrence reports as required
• Pursuant to the Regional Health Authority Act, Interlake- Eastern RHA is designated bilingual (English/ French). Accordingly, all employees accept the responsibility to support clients in their official language of choice.

Demonstrates professionalism within the code of conduct

• Demonstrates the ability to accept and adjust to change
• Assumes responsibility for own actions
• Maintains a professional appearance in conjunction with the IERHA Dress Code Policy
• Refrain from the use of perfumes or heavily scented beauty products
• Maintains an acceptable state of health in accordance with the Attendance Support & Assistance Program (ASAP)
• Exhibits confidence and initiative in the work environment

Ability to recognize and pursue self-development opportunities

• Maintains and updates professional skills, certification(s), leadership skills and knowledge through continuing education programs, literature reviews, publications and conferences
• Maintains knowledge of new developments in departmental areas through journal review, interest groups, lectures and committee work
• Participates in continuous quality improvements

Assists With Training New Staff As Required

• Participates in orientation and mentoring of new staff as assigned

Other

• Performs other duties as assigned.