Dept Tech

Kaiser Permanente; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Kaiser Permanente in Hawaii seeks a patient care associate to support preoperative admissions and postoperative discharges, coordinating care with OR services and nursing staff.

The role involves assisting with pre/postoperative preparations, patient education, and ensuring patient comfort and safety throughout the surgical process at a hospital setting.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with related experience.
• One year of experience in healthcare setting.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Responsibilities

• Facilitates admission of preoperative patients and prepares bed space.
• Coordinates diagnostic testing, transfers and equipment needs.
• Notifies OR services of patient arrival and schedules.
• Assists with tests and prep such as EKG and glucose monitoring.
• Maintains patient privacy and safety; communicates with patients and families.

Skills

Adaptability

Customer service

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Problem solving

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Job Summary

Under indirect supervision, performs patient assistance, technical, and clerical activities; provides direct patient care by assisting with preoperative admission process and postoperative discharge process; communicates with patients and family regarding surgical start time, delays, admission, and discharge activities and other educational information as appropriate; works cooperatively with staff and other departments in maintaining pre and post operative standards of nursing care.

Essential Responsibilities

• Facilitates admission of patient of preoperative preparation; receives patient; secures belongings; admits to appropriate bed space.
• Reviews patient orders and routine pre- and/or post-operative requirements; determines resources and key processes for facilitating diagnostic testing, transfer and equipment needs.
• Informs Operating Room Services of patients arrival; coordinates patient preparation times and notifies patients of change in surgery report time according to daily work schedule and progress of operating room.
• Performs and assists with specific tests and procedures (e.g., 12 lead EKG, blood glucose via meter, shave prep, application of various monitoring and therapeutic devices).
• Assists with activities of daily living and other physical preparations for surgery.
• Considers age, physical/mental limitations and condition when assisting with patient care; reports pertinent observations, patient/family status to nursing staff; assures that nursing staff is aware of patient/family needs.
• Provides information and teaching, as needed, to patients and family in friendly and courteous manner; assists in keeping patient and families comfortable and informed of surgical times, delays, etc.; provides directions or accompaniment to various hospital locations.
• Assists with or institutes emergency measures for sudden adverse events in patients/visitors; assures that emergency patient care equipment is maintained and ready for use.
• Assists with patient admission to Phase I Recovery by providing nursing staff with monitoring and therapeutic supplies, patient data and chart forms, as needed; assists with physical restraint to protect disoriented patients.
• Assists with ambulating and provides appropriate nourishment during Phase II Recovery.
• Transports patients for diagnostic tests and within Operating Room Services as needed.
• Assists in patient discharge process; obtains patients belongings, monitoring, therapeutic and other supplies necessary for patient transport; notifies patients ride for same day discharges; facilitates pick-up of take home medications; provides instructions and information as needed; transports to appropriate location.
• Prepares stretcher and work area for further patient care needs.
• Utilizes universal precautions when assisting with patient care; maintains clean, safe, and well-equipped environment for patients and staff.
• Maintains confidentiality of all patient and work-related information.
• Ensures that patient data appropriate to specific work area is provided via patient registry.
• Assists with preparation/maintenance of all current surgical documents.
• Receives incoming phone calls, faxes, PTS contents, and email; relays information, as needed, to coordinate department work flow and patient care.
• Facilitates communication of needs to other health care members and/or departments during unit/patients emergencies.
• Organizes and updates census board.
• Facilitates communication with other departments for appointments/bed assignments.
• Operates computer for order entry, specific patient information, general inquiry, word processing, and electronic mail.
• Establishes/maintains efficient ordering system; orders office and patient care supplies; sustains record of pending non-stock and stock requisitions; notifies supervisor of items received and/or problems with ordering system.
• Receives supply order; distributes supplies to appropriate location; labels equipment as needed.
• Picks-up, delivers, and/or returns records, supplies, equipment, x-rays, and specimens to and from other departments in clinic or hospital.
• Picks-up and distributes unit mail and paychecks.
• Initiates work orders for General and Biomedical Maintenance, telecommunications, and private repair companies.
• Maintains record or work orders in progress; sends record of completed work orders to supervisor.
• Maintains current information at nurses station (e.g., phone numbers, provider codes, on-call schedules); ensures easy access to chart forms, requisitions, department forms; deletes outdated memos from clipboard, and bulletin board.
• Adds/deletes new/revised policies/procedures to manuals.
• Facilitates data collection for census statistics and Quality Improvement Program.
• Records minutes of unit meeting as assigned.
• Supports standards of pre and post-operative nursing care.
• Adheres to policies and procedures of organization and Surgical Services.
• Demonstrates knowledge of emergency response, safety, and infection control policies.
• Participates in economical utilization of supplies.
• Maintains open channel of communication with co-workers and supervisor.
• Handles multiple activities in calm, constructive manner.
• Participates in unit staff meetings; collaborates with other team members to improve department performance and provide quality patient care services, and committees for improvement of care.
• Assists in orientation, training and development of new technicians.
• Recognizes own educational needs and seeks knowledge to increase skill and ability.
• Demonstrates sufficient knowledge, skills, and abilities in area of specialization.
• Demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to provide care and/or service appropriate to age groups served.

Basic Qualifications

Experience

• One (1) year of experience in healthcare setting, including experience or successful completion of training program (pre-hire, post-hire, or on-the-job) in area of specialty, if applicable or equivalent related education.

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent related experience.

License, Certification, Registration

• Basic Life Support from American Heart Association

Additional Requirements

• Demonstrated knowledge of and skill in adaptability, change management, customer service, influence, interpersonal relations, oral communication, problem solving, quality management, results orientation, systems thinking, teamwork and written communication.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and skill in word processing, spreadsheet and database PC applications.
• Talking to co-workers, customers, outside vendors, and on the telephone.
• Reading, writing, speaking and understanding English.
• Training/giving and receiving instructions.
• Mathematical ability, attention to detail (e.g., organization, prioritization, proofing), concentration, and alertness.

Preferred Qualifications

• Recent experience in surgical services, same-day surgery, or post-operative recovery area.