Patient Care Ambassador

Job Summary

Under the supervision of an Registered Nurse, provides close observation of patients. Assists in the provision of a safe and clean environment by. Promotes the therapeutic environment and the efficiency of the nursing team.

Essential Functions

• Promote the mission, vision, and values of the organization.
• Communicate appropriately and clearly to the charge nurse, co-workers and physicians.
• Demonstrate an ability to be flexible, organized and function in stressful situations.
• Treat patients and their families with respect and dignity
• Ensure patient confidentiality.
• Maintain a good working relationship both within the department and with other departments.
• Meet current documentation standards.
• Manage and operate equipment safely and correctly.
• Response to the patient is appropriate in an emergency or physically distressful situation.
• Provides for patient comfort, safety, and satisfaction. Maintains patient environment in safe and orderly manner.
• Offers support and feedback to peers and staff. Applies principles of caring and healing in interactions with patients, families, and other healthcare members.
• Seeks and supports opportunities for professional growth and development.

Specific Job Duties

• Obtains verbal report from the patient’s nurse to include information regarding the patient’s identified care needs, diagnosis, visual, auditory, or language barriers, as well as any special considerations (NPO, bed alarms, etc.).
• Positions self in view of patient to maintain constant visual observation of the assigned patient. Never leaves the patient alone or out of sight unless specifically instructed by the nurse.
• Obtains instruction from nurse regarding ambulation limitations and course of action for redirection of patient if needed.
• May not transport unstable patients for testing and procedures off the unit but must accompany and remain within arm’s length of the patient unless otherwise directed by the person performing the test or procedure.
• Observant of the patient’s activity and behavior and communicates on a regular basis to the nurse. Receives direction from the nurse regarding what to report, to whom, and how.
• Provides assistance with activities of daily living, unless the patient’s needs are such that adverse health consequences are predictable.
• Ensures a safe environment by stocking and cleaning ED Examination rooms at the beginning of every shift, between patients, and as needed.
• Rounds hourly on patients receiving care in the Emergency Department to ensure that their physical needs are met.
• Rounds hourly on patients waiting to receive care in the Emergency Department to obtain vital signs and ensure they have not experienced a change in status.
• Immediately reports any change in patient status to the Registered Nurse.
• Assists the nursing staff with patient care to include placing patients on hemodynamic monitoring and providing support with procedures and diagnostics.
• Assist with registration of patients to be evaluated in the Emergency Department.
• Assists with facilitating the transfer of patients to outside facilities.
• Assists with facilitating transportation services for patients being transferred outside of the Emergency Department.
• Answers phones, makes copies, enters quality data electronically, and assembles chart packs.
• Must be willing to work flexible hours some days, nights, holidays, and weekends will be required.
• Must be flexible with the assignments as this position will support all RGH departments in various capacities that are needed and within the scope of the Patient Care Ambassador.

Non-Essential Functions

• Perform other duties as assigned

Professional Requirements

• Adhere to dress code, appearance is neat and clean.
• Complete annual education requirements.
• Maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
• Report to work on time and as scheduled.
• Wear identification while on duty.
• Maintain regulatory requirements, including all state, federal and local regulations.
• Represent the organization in a positive and professional manner at all times.
• Comply with all organizational policies and standards regarding ethical business practices.
• Communicate the mission, ethics and goals of the organization.
• Participate in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement activities.
• Attend regular staff meetings and in-services.
• Maintain yearly competencies.
• Maintain required Certification

Qualifications

• Minimum of high school or equivalent
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is required or ability to obtain within thirty (30) days from hire

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills
• Ability to determine appropriate course of action in more complex situations
• Ability to work independently, exercise creativity, be attentive to detail, and maintain a positive attitude
• Ability to manage multiple and simultaneous responsibilities and to prioritize scheduling of work
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of all medical, financial, and legal information
• Ability to complete work assignments accurately and in a timely manner
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing/electronically
• Ability to handle difficult situations involving patients, physicians, or others in a professional manner

Physical Requirements and Environmental Conditions

• Working irregular hours
• Physically demanding, high-stress environment
• Exposure to blood and body fluids, communicable diseases, chemicals, radiation, and repetitive motions
• Pushing and pulling heavy objects
• Full range of body motion including handling and lifting patients .

• Position requires reaching, bending, stooping, and handling objects with hands and/or fingers, talking and/or hearing, and seeing.