Mobility Technician

At Houston Methodist, the Mobility Technician is responsible for assisting clinical staff and members of the interprofessional healthcare team, as assigned, under the direct supervision of clinical staff within inpatient setting. This position performs delegated activities that include but are not limited to patient mobility, infection control processes, assisting patients in practicing exercises or functional activities, transporting patients to and from treatment areas, inspecting and maintaining equipment, stocking and supplying procurement, and a variety of basic clerical functions. The Mobility Technician position delivers exceptional patient care per guidelines established by the department to ensure optimal patient safety and customer service and practices Patient and Family-Centered Care

FLSA STATUS
Non-exempt

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

EXPERIENCE

• • One of the following: ◦ One year Patient Care Assistant/Nursing Assistant work experience in an acute care hospital, long-term acute care hospital or equivalent ◦ Six months therapy experience, e.g. PT/OT/Rehab Tech ◦ Nursing student who has completed first clinical rotation

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required

• BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
• Demonstrates independence and exercises judgment in interactions with physicians, interprofessional care team, patients and their families
• Displays strong time management skills
• Adapts to multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision including but not limited to organizing workflows and actively participating in problem-solving
• Demonstrates ability to access information both in the department and within the hospital system to support the department and interprofessional health care team as appropriate
• Possesses competent computer knowledge. Operates multiple computer systems including electronic health records and Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, & Excel) to maintain patient information

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Functions as a team member, responding willingly and positively to colleagues’ needs for assistance and partnership. Promotes a positive work environment with the interprofessional care team. Problem-solves, assists other techs and Patient Care Assistants, managing several ongoing priorities with minimal supervision.
• Works collaboratively with the department nursing staff and physicians, providing assistance to patients, based on previously identified needs, in practicing post-surgical or strengthening exercises or functional activities, utilizing safety measures at all times in regards to patient care.
• Initiates contributions towards improvement of department scores for turnover/retention/employee satisfaction on unit-based scorecard, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Follows the patient and family-centered care standards and provides direct patient care as appropriate. Assists with delegated treatment plan activities that include but are not limited to: patient mobility, transporting patients to and from treatment areas, assisting patients in and out of bed, assisting with lifts, ambulating patients, assisting patient for wound care treatments and for wound rounds.
• Gathers patient information prior to assign patients’ treatment session. Plans and organizes materials and supplies in the appropriate work areas prior to patient arrival, including but not limited to cleaning/disinfecting, gathering equipment. Assists with equipment inspection, maintenance and storage, and supply procurement, keeping hallways and room egress free of clutter.
• Assists with responding to patient falls, acts as a first line steward of service recovery, and assists and provides information related to re-enforcing safety awareness and home exercise programs for patients.
• Role models behaviors and skills, through peer-to-peer accountability, towards improving department score for patient satisfaction on unit-based scorecard, i.e. bedside shift handoff/report.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Collaborates and communicates with interprofessional team the patients’ response to delegated activities. May, if requested, maintain accurate and complete documentation of patient care procedures performed. Provides for the privacy of patients and families, keeping the safety of the patient in mind.
• Supports initiatives to prevent conditions such as pressure injuries, patient falls, and hospital-acquired infections by following infection control processes and conducting hand hygiene audits.
• Identifies opportunities for process improvement providing recommendations impacting quality and safety targets on the unit-based scorecard, through peer-to-peer accountability, reporting near misses, and collaborating with the interprofessional team. Contributes to meeting department and hospital targets for quality and safety.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists in gathering data for quality improvement projects, daily charge reconciliation for productivity and inventory of supplies in the department.
• Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, minimizing incidental overtime. Meets labor productivity standards by effectively managing established daily responsibilities and assignments. Role models effective time management and coordinates colleagues to meet the overall demands of the unit.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development as a Mobility Technician. Fosters a positive and constructive patient care environment by engaging co-workers in learning opportunities that are valuable and in alignment with department objectives.
• Offers innovative solutions through participation in performance improvement hospital projects and department shared governance activities. Completes and updates the individual development plan (IDP) on an on-going basis, including the development of advanced skills.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform: No
• Scrubs: Yes
• Business professional: No
• Other (department approved): Yes

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

EXPERIENCE

• • One of the following: ◦ One year Patient Care Assistant/Nursing Assistant work experience in an acute care hospital, long-term acute care hospital or equivalent ◦ Six months therapy experience, e.g. PT/OT/Rehab Tech ◦ Nursing student who has completed first clinical rotation

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required

• BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association