Clinical Associate

Performs direct and indirect patient care activities under the supervision of a registered professional nurse. Assists in providing high quality, cost-effective care by performing delegated tasks. Proactively interacts with patients families and other customers to ensure a family centered experience

Core Duties and Responsibilities 

The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position.  They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties.  Other duties may be assigned.

• Assists in direct patient care by providing basic physical care to promote patient comfort as directed by the Registered Nurse.
• Assists all assigned patients with activities of daily living according to need in a timely manner including making all assigned beds.
• Safely transports and patients according to WVUH’s Safe Patient Handling Policy to all tests and procedures as well as escorts patients for discharge.
• Transports specimens and items throughout the facility.
• Performs assigned tests such as glucose monitoring, urine and stool testing and maintains quality control testing & logs, according to department policy.  On Subacute Unit, CNAs are not permitted to do glucose monitoring.
• Performs routine phlebotomy services, excluding line draws, in departments determined by management.
• Obtains and records assigned patient temperatures, pulse rates, respiratory rates, blood pressures, intake and outputs, weights and abdominal girths according to departmental policy.
• Provides respiratory support by properly setting up equipment needed for oxygen administration.
• Encourage the usage of Incentive Spirometer according to Respiratory Care procedure.
• Observes and reports all patient concerns/changes in condition to a registered nurse immediately.
• Prepares patients for examinations and diagnostic procedures according to departmental procedure.
• Assists physicians and registered nurse with examinations and procedures.
• Assists with basic rehab/Physical Therapy activities, i.e. active and passive range of motion and ambulation.
• Communicates with RN regarding any nutrition issues, such as poor appetite or verbalized lack of understanding of diet changes.
• Provides total care within scope of practice (vital signs, activities of daily living) when assigned sitter or constant visual responsibilities.
• Assists in indirect patient care by maintaining a clean and safe environment to help prevent and/or control infections and to provide for safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• Maintains clean assigned, unit equipment according to departmental procedures.
• Reports all necessary equipment repairs to appropriate personnel according to departmental procedure in a timely manner.
• Assists in routine unit operations as directed/needed to assure smooth communication and functioning of the unit.
• Courteously answers telephone in a timely manner, identifying self and unit at all times.
• Courteously answers patient call bell and relays message to the appropriate personnel.
• Relays accurate telephone, visitor and patient messages to appropriate persons in a timely manner.
• Promptly completes errands as requested.
• Unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) may have limited access to medications including during transport of non-controlled substances at the request of a licensed care provider.
• Removes out of date items.

Minimum Qualifications

Education, Certification, and/or Licensure

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Obtain certification in Basic Life Support or HeartSaver First Aid within 30 days of hire date.

Preferred Qualification

Experience

• Prior patient care experience preferred.