The Specialist operates within Memorial Health System’s Corporate, Hospital and Divisional and Departmental mission, philosophy, goals and objectives.  The Specialist, under the direct supervision of a Registered Professional Nurse or a Licensed Physician/Mid-Level provider, assists in the delivery of care to patients within the ExpressCare area(s).  The Specialist performs a variety of tasks which include, but are not limited to, clerical and communications.  These tasks and duties are performed in accordance with both the established values and policies and procedures of the Department and Memorial Medical Center.

Education:

• GED or High School graduate.

Licensure/Certification/Registry:

One of the following is required:

• Illinois Department of Public Health EMT certification or National Registry EMT (NREMT) certification
• Current Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification
• Graduation from an accredited Medical Assistant program
• Enrollment in a nursing school program
• Enrollment in PreMed with Biology or Chemistry major
• CPR certification required.

Other Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Demonstration of the ability to type accurately write and/or print legibly and accurately.
• Successful completion of Unit-Based orientation and clinical guidelines.

Routine Duties:

• Responsible for checking, cleaning and stocking rooms with supplies and linens in preparation for daily work schedule.

• Responsible for performing equipment checks as directed, reporting all instances of malfunctioning to Biomed Department per MHS reporting policy.

• Responsible for maintaining a clean, organized and therapeutic environment.

• Responsible for utilizing supplies in a cost effective manner.

• Practices positive “Guest Relations” skills with public, with physicians, with other staff and other Medical Center personnel.

• Responsible for documentation of appropriate tasks.

• Responsible for following GPE initiatives directed by MPS/EC.

• Attends at all mandatory in-services.

• Completes all required unit specific training programs.

Patient Care Services:

• Provides care to patients under the direction of a Registered Professional Nurse and/or Licensed Physician according to Memorial Health System policies, procedures and standards of care.

• Maintains a level of clinical knowledge and skill commensurate with the level of patient care provided in accordance with the Department standards.

• Assist in the admission of patients, (i.e. placing patients in room, preparation of patient for examination, obtaining initial and/or repeat vital signs, communicates any unusual circumstances to the Registered Professional Nurse and/or Licensed Physician).

• Assists in the preparation and/or examination of the patient, (i.e. patient positioning, equipment, collection of specimens, surgical scrubs) while maintaining the privacy of the patients.

• Assists in executing Physician orders.

• Communicates with patient, family and/or significant other concerning procedures to be performed, anticipated waiting time and/or obtains information if unknown.

• Maintains an operating knowledge for providing appropriate assistance with various procedures (i.e. Splinting, Bandaging, Heat and Cold Applications, Cast Application and/or removal, oxygen application and maintenance, electrode placement and use of monitoring equipment, application of oral suctioning, preparation for suture application, cannot do any wound closure such as derma bond, steri-strips or sutures, can only apply steri-strips to wounds that are already closed and edges of the wound have been approximated, glucose monitoring and EKG application and testing.

• Transport patients in an appropriate manner with appropriate records.

• Maintains appropriate documentation skills.

• Performs clerical functions

• Provides preceptor functions as directed by Clinical Manager.

• Maintains familiarization with location and operation of equipment and procedure manuals for Department.

• Practices appropriately for the safety of patients, (i.e., uses side rails appropriately, disposes of infectious waste appropriately, addresses spill appropriately and initiates incident reports as appropriate).

• Demonstrates professionalism (i.e., attends or reviews 75% of staff meetings minutes, documenting review with signature and date; actively pursues opportunity to increase knowledge within area of responsibility; maintain patient confidentiality; complies with professional appearance policy; presents at work on time and maintains satisfactory attendance in accordance with department Ill/Absent policy).

• Participates in collecting data for Quality Improvement activities, assists in identifying patient care problems for study and applies Quality Improvement findings to patient care.

• Performs EC Triage on Patients according to policy.

Performs other related work as required or requested.