Spinal Cord Care Technician

*Special Rate* This position earns an addition 15% of a Nurse Tech base rate!

Summary

Spinal Cord Care Technicians provide important patient care within the Nursing Department. Under the direction of the nurse assigned to each patient, this non-licensed team member assists with patient care and other department activities as outlined in this job description and communicates effectively with the nurse responsible for each patient. Work performed by each SCI Care Tech must support the mission, vision, and values of Mary Free Bed.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Staff will provide patient care, treatment, and services within the scope of their license, certification or registration and as required by law and regulation.

Quality Pillar of Excellence

• Patient Care - The SCCT provides direct patient care, as delegated by the nurse and in accordance with departmental policies and procedures. Patient care performed by a SCCT includes, but is not limited to, the following:
  
  
  
  • Collects and monitors data and reports physiological, psychological, socio-cultural, and spiritual needs of the patient and families as directed by and in coordination with the patient's assigned nurse.
  • Obtains and records vital signs using appropriate equipment and technique.
  • Provides direct patient care including sterile intermittent catheterization, bowel programs, patient hygiene, recording intake and outpatient, and other responsibilities as outlined in department policies.
  • Acts as a safety attendant, as assigned, providing direct supervision under the direction of the nurse to maintain the safety of the patient.
  • Determines schedule for patient specific bowel programs and showers. Assists the nurse in determining appropriate patients to be scheduled under the care of the SCCT.
  • Performs bowel and shower programs with specific patient populations, reinforcing education as first provided by the nurse and in collaboration with the IDT.
  • Provide education to new hires on best practice with bowel management within the inpatient floors.
  • Answers call lights in a timely, respectful manner
  • Documents care via computer/written patient record according to department policies, including content and timeliness of documentation.
  • Provides input to the nusre for use in an individualized plan of care for each patient
  • Transports patients in a safe and timely manner to facilitate patient diagnostic testing and therapy sessions, as needed. Communicates with other team members in order to ensure continuity of care and coordination of services.
  • Maintains the patient's living environment in a clean, safe manner
  • Cleans patient areas, work areas, and equipment, as needed. Communicates any equipment malfunctions to the Central Supply Department or Nursing Leader and removes equipment from patient care in accordance with department policies.
  • Assists with collection of quality data, as assigned by the nurse or Nursing Leadership,
  • Demonstrates appropriate use of all patient care equipment, in accordance with departmental policies.
  
  
  
  
• Communication - Each staff member in the Nursing Department is responsible to communicate in a timely, professional, and respectful manner at all times. Responsibilities of the SCCT include, but are not limited to:
  
  
  
  • Patients and their families or visitors are treated with kindness and respect.
  • Customers, physicians, and other staff members are treated with kindness and respect.
  • Maintains effective working relationships with employees throughout the organization.
  • Treats patient call lights as a primary communication method between the patient and the caregiver, and promptly responds to call lights, in person, as soon as possible.
  • Delivers care in a manner that is culturally sensitive and preserves the dignity and rights of each patient. Deals discreetly and sensitively with confidential information and follows all hospital policies related to protected health information.
  
  
  
  

Service Pillar of Excellence

• Customer Service - Each SCCT is required to demonstrate excellent customer service standards and behaviors in all interactions with colleagues, patients, family members, physicians, and other customers. This employee is responsible to understand how patient satisfaction is measured within the nursing department, the expectations related to customer service, and the action plans that are in place to improve the satisfaction of MFB customers.

People Pillar of Excellence

• Employee communication - The SCCT understands that communication with hospital and department leadership occurs in many ways, and that it is the responsibility of each employee to be aware of policy and practice changes. This information is shared through various methods such as administrative bulletins, staff meetings, bulletin board postings, email, department newsletters, individual discussions, and on the MFB intranet (InsideMFB).
• Employee training and competency assessments - SCCT is responsible to complete all required training and competency assessments prior to the posted deadlines. Questions about required education and competency modules should be addressed to a nurse educator or a nursing supervisor to ensure that the requirements are completed prior to the deadlines.
• Performance evaluations -Each SCCT will meet with a nursing supervisor to complete an annual performance evaluation prior to the department or organizational deadline. The employee will provide input to the supervisor when reviewing goals and performance from the completed review period. The employee will work with the supervisor to review organizational and departmental action plans, and to identify personal goals for the upcoming review period. As a preceptor, each NT will collaborate with the assigned nurse, Nursing Supervisor and Nurse Educator to provide a thorough and accurate orientation for the new team member.
• Safety policies - Each employee is responsible to demonstrate knowledge of and performance in accordance with hospital and department safety and infection control policies and procedures. Maintains a safe and clean working environment for the benefit of patients and staff.

Financial Performance Pillar of Excellence

• Fiscal Responsibility - Documents patient chargeable items according to department policies. Avoids duplication and waste of supplies. Arrives to work on time and works throughout the shift, unless taking a designated break. If the SCCT does not have work to do, asks a nusre or a nursing supervisor for work to avoid downtime. Avoids overtime, and if overtime is expected, communicates this in advance with the nursing supervisor so that alternatives can be explored.
• Embrace Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, by:

Treating everyone with dignity and respect

Opening more doors to opportunities for underrepresented cultures

Growing talent and people

Evaluating and eliminating disparities

Taking action against injustices, bias and racism

Honoring our differences and how to collaborate

Educating staff, patients and the communities we care for

Restoring Hope and Freedom, together

Customer Service Responsibilities

Demonstrate excellent customer service and standards of behaviors as well as encourages, coaches, and monitors the same in team members. This individual should consistently promote teamwork and direct communication with co-workers and deal discretely and sensitively with confidential information.

Employment Value Proposition

At Mary Free Bed, we take pride in our values-based culture:

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Our Commitment to providing an inclusive environment for patients, families, staff, and community, through embracing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion T.O.G.E.T.H.E.R.
• Focus on Patient Care. A selfless drive to serve and heal connects all MFB employees.
• Clinical Variety and Challenge. An inter-disciplinary approach and a top team of professionals create ever-changing opportunities and activities.
• Family Culture. We offer the stability of a large organization while nurturing the family/team atmosphere of a small organization.
• Trust in Each Other. Each employee knows that co-workers can be trusted to make the right decision for our family, patients, staff, and community.
• A Proud Tradition. Years of dedicated, quality service to our patients and community have yielded a reputation that fills our employees with pride.

Age Specific Responsibility

Must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served in assigned department. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to age-specific needs and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures.

Responsibilities in Quality Improvement

Contribute by identifying problems and seeking solutions. Promote patient/family satisfaction where possible; participates in departmental efforts to monitor and report customer service.

Essential Job Qualifications

• Licensure Requirements: Certified Nursing Assistant preferred.
• Education: High school graduate or equivalent GED required.
• Current American Heart Association BLS Course for HealthCare Providers
• Physical Demands/Work Environment: The work environment described here are representative of those an employee will encounter while working as a SCCT at Mary Free Bed. The ability to perform these tasks are required in order to provide the necessary patient care required by MFB patients:
• Experience: None required. Previous experience as a nurse technician or nursing assistant is preferred. Understanding of medical technology and rehabilitation care is preferred.

Physical Requirements for Essential Job Qualification

Levels:

• None (No specific requirements)
• Occasionally (Less than 1/3)
• Frequently (1/3 to 2/3)
• Majority (More than 2/3)

Remain in a stationary position: Occasionally

Traverse or move around work location: Occasionally

Use keyboard: Occasionally

Operate or use department specific equipment: None

Ascend/Descend equipment or ladder: None

Position self to accomplish the Essential Functions of the role: Occasionally

Receive and communicate information and ideas for understanding: Occasionally

Transport, position, and/or exert force:

Up to 10 pounds: Frequently

Up to 25 pounds: Occasionally

Up to 50 pounds: Occasionally

Up to 75 pounds: None

More than 100 pounds: None

Other weight: Up to___ pounds None

Other: None

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees in this classification. If you require a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of this position, you must request accommodation in writing, within 182 days after you know or should know of the need for accommodation.

Mary Free Bed is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, genetic information, veteran status, disability or other legally protected characteristic.