What are the responsibilities and job description for the Patient Educator position at UNC Health Appalachian?
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Position Summary
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The Patient Educator serves the UNC Health Appalachian system to assess and identify patient care educational needs and will educate and instruct in medical processes. The Patient Educator will select and utilize teaching tools designed to assist the patient and family with a complete understanding of medical diagnosis. The Patient Educator will serve as a resource to staff and leaders to recommend best practices and educational methods designed to enhance the patient experience.
The Patient Educator integrates knowledge and skills with effective interactions to provide quality patient care and useful diagnostic information. Provides direct and indirect ways to communicate with those who need it, meeting the needs of each encounter, in-line with their scope. Decisions and actions with patients and families are determined in an ethical manner practicing compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and unique attributes of each person. Effectively communicates with patients/families, visitors, colleagues, physicians, leadership, and volunteers.
All areas of work are provided to achieve and maintain top-decile results and outcomes for patient experience, quality, and patient safety. All areas of work demonstrate the UNC Health Appalachian's Mission, Vision, and Values in action and approaches work in a way that reflects action, efficiency, and personal accountability. Demonstrates professional conduct, effective communication, and effective completion of tasks. Effectively and professionally manages working relationships with coworkers, physicians, and all UNC Health Appalachian team members in a way that promotes a healthy work environment. Responds quickly and accurately to emergencies in the work environment. Performs duties under direct supervision. Always assists coworkers, patients, families, and visitors regardless of the patient assignment, so long as the assistance is in-line with their scope.
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Position Qualifications
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Minimum Education
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- Bachelor's degree in Nursing from an accredited program/institution is required at the time of hire.
- Master's degree in Nursing is preferred but not required.
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Experience
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- Two (2) or more years of clinical nursing experience.
- Demonstrated teaching/education experience in nursing is preferred but not required.
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Required Registration/License/Certification
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Currently licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the state of North Carolina.
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Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) is preferred but not required.
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Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
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- Knowledge of and ability to work with Microsoft Office and other applicable programs.
- Good organizational skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to communicate courteously and effectively with the public, patients, family, staff, and physicians and acts within the chain of command, utilizing positive verbal and non-verbal skills.
- Competent in delivering safe and effective patient care within legal limits of license and certifications and hospital policies and procedures.
- Knowledge of the continuum of care provided in the patient care department.
- Ability to demonstrate exceptional customer service to patients, family, staff, and physicians.
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Physical Demands
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- Lifts, positions, pushes, pulls, and/or transfers up to and greater than 30 pounds.
- Manual dexterity and mobility.
- Prolonged, extensive, or considerable sitting/standing/walking.
- Bending, squatting, twisting, and turning.
- Near acuity: ability to see clearly at 20 inches or less.
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Working Conditions
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- Infrequently exposed to the risk of blood-borne diseases.
- Infrequently exposed to hazards from electrical/mechanical/power equipment, odorous chemicals and specimens, and unpleasant elements (accident, injury, slippery surfaces, uneven surfaces), etc.
- May be subject to irregular hours (days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays) and emergencies.
- Continuous sitting, standing, and walking long periods = to or greater than > 8 hours per shift.
- Speaking, reading, and writing, expanded > 8 hours per day.
- Exposed to vibration and cramped spaces.
- Lifts, carries, pushes, and/or pulls > 30 lbs.
- Bends, squats, kneels, twists, turns, and reaches.
- Frequently per minute: hand, finger, and wrist repetition and moderate dexterity.
- May be exposed to ionizing/non-ionizing radiation exposure, including x-ray and microwave.
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