Ambulatory Care Nursing Assistant

Under general supervision of the Ambulatory Care Supervisory Clinical Nurse (SCN), Senior Clinical Nurses (SrCN), and Nurses, the Ambulatory Care Nursing Assistant provides basic nursing care requiring knowledge and application of standard procedures and instructions and supports the nursing staff. Uphold the principles of WIHCC’s Vision, Mission, and Value Statements. Maintains confidentiality of all privileged information at all times.

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Maintains regular attendance and punctuality.
• Greets patients and provides basic nursing care to patients with a variety of injuries and illness. 
• In appointment clinics and PCMH, screens patients by taking and recording all vital signs, and determining the main reason for visit.    
• Makes entries on patient’s charts and records other data as required in RPMS and EHR.
• Obtains, documents, and reports repeated vital signs based on policy and patient condition to nurses and providers.
• Escorts patients into examining rooms and to other areas in the facility; utilizes wheelchairs, gurneys, Hoyer Lifts, etc. as needed.
• Assists provider in examination of patients by explaining procedures, positioning, draping and assembling instruments and supplies. 
• Applies and removes binding and bandages (arm slings, ace bandages, etc.) and applies simple dressings as directed. 
• Performs and obtains tests and procedures, such as EKGs, cardiac monitoring lead placements, weights/heights, point of care waived tests (rapid flu, HgbA1C, glucose reading, UA, etc.).
• Reports any unusual conditions or emergencies to the team nurse and Charge Nurse.
• Ensures patient room and equipment is properly cleaned and restocked after patient care and between patients.
• Performs general maintenance duties after all patient care needs are met, including cleaning, arranging and restocking supply cupboards; cleaning and sorting supplies, instruments, and equipment; calling attention to deficiencies in supplies and equipment; cleaning utility room; and bagging soiled linens. These maintenance duties will not supersede patient care assignments or requested tasks.
• Maintains a clean and safe patient environment.
• Active participation in the duties of the cleaning and sterilizing of medical instruments in the autoclave room and maintaining their training and competence with the UC-SCN and Infection Control Preventionist (ICP).
• Reports observations relative to patient’s condition and reaction.
• Provides patient education and provides accurate documentation.
• Performs quality control and provides accurate documentation.
• Provides medical interpretation as needed.
• Requires completion of tasks or duties assigned by a supervisor.
• Upholds all principles of confidentiality and patient care to the fullest extent.
• Adheres to all professional and ethical behavior standards of the healthcare industry.
• Adheres to WIHCCs Personnel Policies and Procedures, departmental policies, rules, and regulations.
• Interacts in an honest, trustworthy and dependable manner with patients, employees, visitors, and vendors.
• Possesses cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• Maintains compliance with all Human Resources requirements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

High School Diploma or GED is required. Credentialing as a Certified Nursing Assistant or Licensed Nursing Assistant is required. One year nursing experience is preferred. A valid BLS/CPR certification is required. Bilingual skills in English and Navajo language is preferred. Must maintain a valid unrestricted and insurable driver’s license. Must successfully pass a background investigation and maintain suitable requirements for a Child Care position. This position is considered as a Child Care position, which requires a satisfactory background check investigation and is subject to the requirements of the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act, as amended (henceforth referred as the ICPFVP Act).

Knowledge, Skills, Ability:

• Knowledge and skill sufficient to readily acquire orientation to the organization, the nursing environment, its staff members and operating procedures.
• Knowledge and skill sufficient to meet the personal hygiene needs of patients for the purpose of adding good health practices and to provide comfort measures.
• Knowledge of, and skill sufficient to use, nursing care terminology and test for measuring and recording vital signs; for obtaining and labeling specimens, and for assisting inpatient examinations for the purpose of accomplishing needed care and communicating with patients, doctors and nurses.
• Knowledge and skill sufficient to provide safety, security, privacy for the patients and to keep patient information confidential.
• Knowledge of strong work ethics in the workplace.
• Knowledge of basic application of confidentiality.
• Knowledge of basic computer skills, e.g. Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Ability to safely use transportation equipment such as gurneys, wheelchairs, Hoyer lift.
• Ability to be dependable in attendance and job performance.
• Ability to accept and learn from feedback.
• Ability to meet attendance, overtime (if necessary), and other reliability requirements of the job.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to provide exemplary customer service at all times.
• Ability to interact positively with others and possess great interpersonal skills.
• Ability to multitask and perform well under pressure.
• Ability to have self-confidence.
• Ability to be a great team player.
• Ability to accept and learn from supervisor/peer critique.
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable to the changing needs of the organization.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee frequently is required to taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.   

Work Environment:

Work is performed in an office setting or outdoor work environment with a moderate noise level. Work environment may involve exposure to physical risks, such as blood borne pathogens and operating dangerous equipment or working with chemicals. Evening and/or weekend work may be required. Extended hours and irregular shifts may be required.

As required by P.L. 93-638, absolute preference will be given to qualified Navajo applicants.  If there is no qualified Navajo applicant, preference will be given to qualified American Indian applicants.