Central Transport Assistant

General Summary of Position
Responsible for the timely courteous and competent transportation of patients throughout the Washington Hospital Center complex via wheelchair stretcher or bed. Also transports specimens equipment/supplies messages and parcels as designated. Performs a variety of other support services functions as is needed to provide service excellence to patients visitors and hospital staff.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Transports patient his/her personal possessions medical records and attached clinical devices (IV's and oxygen) by wheelchair stretcher bed etc. to and from various hospital locations and to the hospital entrance upon discharge. Ensures the safety of the patient during transport. Alerts nursing staff immediately to any signs of patient distress or unfavorable symptoms. Ensures the comfort of the patient by being attentive offering blankets checks modesty and engaging in appropriate conversation with the patient.
• Assists in lifting positioning and transferring patients to and from examination tables operative tables wheelchairs stretchers and/or beds. Provides lift and positioning assistance as assigned. Assures that patient is comfortable and securely fastened.
• Provides patients with gowns pillows blankets etc. to patient for comfort and support.
• Ensures patient has hospital identification band corresponding with name and date of birth (DOB) for the assigned transport.
• Wears appropriate protective clothing as needed.
• Documents arrival & departure times and informs appropriate staff of patient destination location and/or time of arrival.
• As assigned delivers and retrieves supplies equipment and records e.g. laboratory specimens/results x-ray film unit supplies medical charts pharmacy products parcels and messages etc.
• Maintains associated transportation records including name of patient or material transported pick-up site destination and departure/arrival times. Notes difficulties encountered and relays same to supervisor.
• Performs surgical clipping as requested.
• Weighs patients in preparation for their perioperative procedures.
• Escorts patients in and out of perioperative areas to include waiting rooms preop operative suites and PACU.
• Prepares PreOp and PACU bays for patients i.e. clean stretchers and equipment make stretchers with linen stock bay with needed supplies.
• Assembles gown packs.
• Cleans equipment stretchers beds monitors etc.
• Performs daily tasks in assigned area i.e. temperature logs stocking supplies trash removal removal of used gas cylinders restocking gas cylinders retrieving clean linen removal of soiled linen stocking nutrition items returning food trays return and restocking of IV pumps/CAD pumps etc.
• Inspects transportation equipment for damage and/or defects. Cleans transportation equipment by wiping surfaces with pre-mixed cleaning solutions. Reports damaged or malfunctioning transport equipment as required.
• Empties and replaces glove boxes refills oxygen tanks and disconnects/reconnects to patient according to established guidelines.
• May be required to restrain patients by holding or strapping with appropriate constraints.
• Completes transports quickly and efficiently; immediately notifies dispatcher or supervisor when assignments are initiated completed and when paged by a dispatcher.
• Responds to various codes called throughout the MWHC campus.

Minimal Qualifications
Education

• High School Diploma or GED required
• May require up to l year of technical or other specialized training

Experience

• 6 to 12 months experience in a healthcare setting preferred

Licenses and Certifications

• CPR - Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation (includes BLS and NRP) for healthcare providers from either the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross within 90 Days required
• Additional unit/specialty certifications may vary by department or business unit.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Should be able to work independently
• Requires the ability to read and write in English and comprehend policies and procedures; knowledge of grammar and arithmetic including fractions and decimals; and ability to use alphanumeric pager and telephone
• May require the use of standard office/medical equipment (i.e. typewriter personal computer data terminal on-line printer calculator telephone facsimile copier sterilizing equipment blood pressure cuff or tables); the preparation comparison or checking of reports records and related data; and basic use of formulas charts tables drawings and knowledge of their application