Care Attendant/Telesitter – Resource Unit (UPMC Presbyterian) Full-Time

Are you a healthcare professional interested in a career that provides plenty of opportunity for growth and development? If you’re passionate about patient care and looking for a career that offers great benefits and plenty of room for growth, we invite you to explore this opportunity today!

ANCC Magnet designated UPMC Presbyterian is currently hiring Full-time Care Attendants to support our Resource Unit / Float Pool. This position is eligible for a 10% bonus that will be included in the base rate!

The Resource Pool provides necessary staffing solutions for special needs or disruptions in the hospital’s workforce, such as in the case of vacancies, call-offs, and surges in patient census. Resource staff float to all areas of the hospital (including Med-Surg, ICU, PACU, and Emergency Department); Resource staff also opens and staffs overflow units during high census, so a high level of autonomy and self-direction is required. To work in the Resource Pool, you must be especially flexible, knowledgeable, and responsive! 

 The Care Attendant is a valued step in the UPMC Inpatient Patient Care Support Career Ladder, with opportunities for continued growth and advancement. Title and salary will be determined based upon education and patient care experience.

Purpose:

Provides limited patient care, support, and observation services in accordance with established policies and procedures, and may be directed by the nurse or physician, to assure that the highest degree of quality patient care is maintained at all times. Must routinely provide continuous observation and surveillance of assigned patients, verbally redirect patients and alert nursing staff, as needed, and perform the UPMC nursing core responsibilities for Care Attendants: observation, hygiene (bath and oral care), bed making, transfer assistance, and comfort measures.

Responsibilities:

• Professional Growth: Constructively receives feedback and direction. Identifies and communicates learning needs to the direct supervisor. Takes action to improve knowledge, skills, and performance. Requests assistance in planning and prioritizing activities, as needed. Participates in self-review as requested by the direct supervisor.
• Maintains visual observation of patient at all times.
• Verbally redirects patient over digital 2-way radio audio device. Summons nursing staff for patient assistance as needed. Provides the appropriate verbal intervention / de-escalation with the patient. Provides patients with explanations as necessary but does not counsel or offer opinion.
• Transformational Leadership: Suggests and supports changes within the department. Assumes responsibility for assignment and views problems as challenges. Demonstrates awareness of behavior on the efficient functioning of the department.
• Participates in hand-off of pertinent information and behavior regarding assigned patients when arriving on the unit and upon completion of the shift assignment. Arranges coverage with nurse for breaks as needed.
• Provides feedback to the RN regarding patient care and reports changes in patient status. Completes clerical functions as needed by department. Complies with safety policies and procedures including standard precautions and understands policies and procedures for blood borne pathogen exposure. Strictly adheres to all policies and practices relative to patient care and hospital-related information. Responds within the scope of the Care Attendant role to emergent situations.
• Care Delivery: Provides observation and direct patient care as directed by the RN including, but not limited to activities of daily living such as bathing, feeding, transporting, toileting, and ambulating, as well as turning and repositioning patients. Maintains an environment conducive to patient safety and recovery including, but not limited to completing safety checks, keeping the patient room clean and organized, cleaning patient-specific equipment, changing bed linens, and emptying linen hampers. Acquires and distributes supplies and equipment to facilitate patient care delivery including, but not limited to, performing messenger functions, ordering, charging/crediting supplies, setting up patient care equipment within the scope of the Care Attendant position, and stocking patient rooms and unit supply areas. Delivers patient nourishments, fills water pitchers, and distributes patient mail as applicable if not directly with patient.
• Collaborative Practice: Assures equipment malfunctions are reported to the appropriate department. Establishes appropriate and effective communication strategies. Establishes professional and respectful interpersonal relationships. Contributes to universal patient activities including, but not limited to, responding to telephones, assisting with meal trays, and accompanying patients during transport.
• Seeks help or advice as soon as possible when patient appears to post a threat to themselves or others.
• Healthy Workforce: Demonstrates the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with all members of the health care team. Demonstrates understanding of cultural diversity, horizontal violence, and impairment in the workplace. Cares for patients and self by supporting safety in the workplace. Develops and maintains productive working relationships internally and externally by demonstrating accountability for actions, enthusiasm, motivation, and commitment to patients and colleagues.