Nursing Assistant - Surgical Unit

WellSpan Health; Ephrata (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health benefits

Retirement savings plan

Paid time off (PTO)

Education assistance

Financial education and support, Daily

Expanded Paid Parental Leave

Job summary

WellSpan Health in Lancaster County, PA is seeking a dedicated Nursing Assistant to join the Surgical Unit team. You will provide direct patient care, assist with activities of daily living, and help maintain a safe, clean, and compassionate environment for patients undergoing various procedures.

The role emphasizes teamwork, patient education, and timely documentation of vital signs, while supporting pre- and post-operative care under licensed nurses.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Less than 1 year relevant experience. Required.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required upon hire.

Responsibilities

• Provides general nursing care and personal care assistance to patients, including activities of daily living and the removal of peripheral IVs and indwelling urinary catheter.
• Monitors patient condition levels; recognizes and reports changes in patient condition to the registered nurse.
• Possesses the knowledge and skills to keep patients safe. Performs purposeful hourly rounds to identify and address patient needs.
• Obtains and electronically documents patient vital signs, including temperature, blood pressure, pulse oximetry, weight, respiration and pulse.
• Trains and precepts new employees.
• Performs Point-of-Care testing which may include blood glucose, hemocult and specific gravity testing. Performs quality control and instrument check procedures and maintains related records.
• Prepares patients for tests, procedures, etc. and transports patients to tests, procedures and different levels of care.
• Collects specimens as directed using appropriate or specified equipment for collecting and handling specimens.
• Performs EKGs and transmits studies.
• Obtains and removes equipment and supplies necessary for patient care.
• Responsible for maintaining and storing equipment appropriately and completing electronic requests for equipment repairs.
• Maintains par levels of supplies and equipment on assigned unit(s). Notifies supervisor when reorder points are reached.
• Responsible for stocking patient rooms, nursing areas, supply carts, etc. with appropriate items at required levels.

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Job Description

Surgical Unit

Our surgical unit is dedicated to providing high-quality care for patients undergoing a wide range of surgical procedures. Specializing in same-day or overnight hip and knee replacements, bariatric surgeries, and spine surgeries, we also adeptly manage unexpected illnesses and surgeries. These include, but are not limited to, bowel resections, small bowel obstructions, amputations, appendicitis, cholecystectomy, and cholelithiasis. Our experienced and compassionate team is committed to delivering exceptional care, ensuring that each patient receives personalized treatment tailored to their unique needs.

Our multidisciplinary team comprises skilled nurses, nursing assistants, and clinical coordinators who work collaboratively to support patients throughout their surgical journey. From pre-operative preparation to post-operative recovery, we focus on comprehensive patient education, effective pain management, and holistic care strategies to promote quick and successful recoveries.

We take pride in our strong sense of teamwork, professionalism, and empathy. Our unit fosters a culture of continuous learning and professional development, encouraging team members to engage in educational presentations, creative projects, and other initiatives that enhance our collective knowledge and skills. This collaborative environment ensures that we provide the latest and most effective care practices.

Serving a diverse population, our unit is dedicated to creating a supportive and positive experience for patients and their families. We emphasize open communication, flexibility, and a compassionate approach, addressing the unique needs and concerns of each individual under our care.

General Summary

Provides clinical support services to patient care staff by performing a variety of duties related to patient care. Takes patient vital signs, assists patients with activities of daily living (e.g., bathing, feeding, toileting, etc.), inventories and replenishes supplies and equipment, and performs special assigned duties such as performing EKGs and Point-of-Care testing.

Responsibilities

• Provides general nursing care and personal care assistance to patients, including activities of daily living and the removal of peripheral IVs and indwelling urinary catheter.
• Monitors patient condition levels; recognizes and reports changes in patient condition to the registered nurse.
• Possess the knowledge and skills to keep patients safe. Performs purposeful hourly rounds to identify and address patient needs.
• Obtains and electronically documents patient vital signs, including temperature, blood pressure, pulse oximetry, weight, respiration and pulse.
• Train and precept new employees.
• Performs Point-of-Care testing which may include blood glucose, hemocult and specific gravity testing. Performs quality control and instrument check procedures and maintains related records.
• Prepares patients for tests, procedures, etc. and transports patients to tests, procedures and different levels of care.
• Collects specimens as directed using appropriate or specified equipment for collecting and handling specimens.
• Performs EKGs and transmits studies.
• Obtains and removes equipment and supplies necessary for patient care.
• Responsible for maintaining and storing equipment appropriately and completing electronic requests for equipment repairs.
• Maintains par levels of supplies and equipment on assigned unit(s). Notifies supervisor when reorder points are reached.
• Responsible for stocking patient rooms, nursing areas, supply carts, etc. with appropriate items at required levels.

Common Expectations

• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span of the assigned patient population. Assesses and interprets patient age specific data and provides appropriate, age specific treatment. Provides direct patient care to assigned patient age group(s).
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span of the assigned patient population. Assesses and interprets patient age specific data and provides appropriate, age specific treatment. Provides direct patient care to assigned patient age group(s).
• Demonstrates a commitment to patient, visitor and staff by: complying with all applicable safety regulations; learning the impact of medical errors and methodology that will lead to reduction of errors; reporting actual and potential errors, as well as hazardous conditions; identifying opportunities to standardize processes and "error proof" systems that will lead to increased safety; and participating in safety education programs and root cause analyses as required.
• Maintains established policies and procedures, objectives, quality assessment, safety, environmental and infection control standards.
• Participates in educational programs and in-service meetings.
• Attends meetings as required.
• Provides outstanding service to all customers; fosters teamwork; and practices fiscal responsibility through improvement and innovation.

Qualifications

Minimum Education

• High School Diploma or GED Required

Work Experience

• Less than 1 year Relevant experience. Required

Licenses

• Basic Life Support Upon Hire Required
• Certified Nurse Aide Upon Hire Preferred

Benefits Offered

• Comprehensive health benefits
• Retirement savings plan
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Education assistance
• Financial education and support, including DailyPay
• Expanded Paid Parental Leave

For additional details: Benefits & Incentives | WellSpan Careers (joinwellspan.org)

About Us

WellSpan Health’s vision is to reimagine healthcare through the delivery of comprehensive, equitable health and wellness solutions throughout our continuum of care. As an integrated delivery system focused on leading in value-based care, we encompass more than 2,300 employed providers, 250 locations, nine award-winning hospitals, home care and a behavioral health organization serving central Pennsylvania and northern Maryland. Our high-performing Medicare Accountable Care Organization (ACO) is the region’s largest and one of the best in the nation. With a team 23,000 strong, WellSpan experts provide a range of services, from wellness and employer services solutions to advanced care for complex medical and behavioral conditions. Our clinically integrated network of 3,000 aligned physicians and advanced practice providers is dedicated to providing the highest quality and safety, inspiring our patients and communities to be their healthiest.

About The Team

WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital

One of eight premier hospitals in the WellSpan system, WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital offers a full range of leading-edge inpatient, outpatient and emergent care services. The hospital is noted for its distinct ability to combine state-of-the-art medical technology with quality, compassionate care to meet the needs of the more than 550,000 residents of northern Lancaster County and the surrounding area. As a full-service, non-profit acute-care hospital, with a 141 licensed bed capacity, WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital admits approximately 5,500 patients annually. Nearby WellSpan Ephrata Cancer Center supports the hospital as part of WellSpan’s regional network of five cancer centers. WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital was one of several WellSpan Health hospitals honored by U.S. News & World Report with the High Performing recognition for 2022-23.