Attender

Role Overview

Attender at NMC Healthcare in a hospital environment. Assist in the delivery of patient care under the direction of the registered nurse and contribute to the general environment of the hospital and the well-being of patients, families, and team members as a member of the nursing team.

Role Purpose

To provide essential non-clinical patient support and maintain a clean, safe, and well-organized hospital environment while working under the supervision of nursing staff.

Key Responsibilities

Patient Care Support

• Assist patients with non-medical care and other ward-related duties as directed by and under supervision of the nurse.
• Respond quickly to patients or their family's requests for assistance, prioritizing patient safety and satisfaction.
• Attend to call bells in the department and any alarms in patient rooms, reporting to the nurse accordingly.
• Conduct hourly patient rounding to follow up on patient comfort and any assistance needed.
• Assist the nurse with patient hygiene, elimination, mobility, physical comfort, eating and drinking needs while observing and reporting any specific changes to the licensed nurse.
• Assist nurses in obtaining patient height and weight measurements.
• Effectively assist nurses in maintaining patient elimination.
• Receive non-clinical responsibilities each shift from the nurse.

Patient Transport and Admission/Discharge

• Escort stable patients by wheelchair or assist nurses with bed transport to and from the Radiology Department, other departments, and the operation theatre.
• Accompany discharged patients to the exit point and assist them safely getting into their cars; transport maternity patients by wheelchair.
• Assist nursing staff in preparing and cleaning patient rooms for admission and discharge by ensuring all needed supplies are provided to the patient.
• Report to the nurse or in-charge any lost or broken items or equipment when cleaning the room after discharge.

Environmental Cleanliness and Equipment

• Clean trolleys used before and after patient care and replace all consumables used.
• Maintain cleanliness in all areas including patient rooms and nursing station; ensure surfaces, computers, and phones are cleaned daily and regularly throughout the shift.
• Know hospital-approved disinfectants and their indications for usage in the department.
• Conduct cleaning of biomedical equipment in accordance with NMC RH Khalifa City policy.
• Collaborate with the housekeeping team to maintain cleanliness of the department in general, including the kids play area.
• Check hand sanitizers at the beginning of the shift and inform housekeeping when replacement is needed.
• Check all department rooms daily and complete the daily environment checklist.
• Ensure cleanliness of the soiled utility room and collaborate with the laundry department; maintain records for all linen kept in hampers.
• Ensure biomedical equipment is cleaned after discharge, returned in good condition to the equipment room, and plugged in.
• Maintain cleanliness of the pantry and collaborate with the nurse and dietary team to ensure no extra trays are kept unnecessarily.
• Ensure curtains in the department are well maintained and sent for wash as indicated by hospital policy; maintain records and ensure extra curtains are available for replacement.

Supply and Storage Management

• Assist in the maintenance of supply and storage areas with regular cleaning of supply boxes based on departmental routine or at least once per month when checking stock.
• Collect clean linen from laundry.
• Replace sharp containers when two-thirds filled or when the expiry date is due per hospital policy.
• Maintain a record for all borrowed items and follow up with concerned departments to return items when finished to prevent loss.
• Collect general and stationary items from store and medications from pharmacy.

Specimen and Equipment Transport

• Transport specimens to the laboratory.
• Transport instruments for sterilization to CSSD following item count by nurses and collect sterilized items back to areas from CSSD.
• Check monthly CSSD sets for expiry date and report any damage to packaging.

Outpatient Department Support

• Liaise with nurses and patients in OPD setting to support patient satisfaction, provide updates on bed availability and waiting time.

Occupational Safety and Health

• Comply with all OSH and infection control policies, standards, and procedures and cooperate with hospital management to meet those requirements.
• Work in accordance with documented OSH procedures and instructions and specific responsibilities.
• Be familiar with emergency and evacuation procedures.
• Be familiar with patient safety goals applicable to daily activities.
• Notify nurses of OSH hazards, incidents, near misses, or any concerns.
• Comply with waste management and transmission-based precautions policies and procedures.
• Use appropriate personal protective equipment and safety systems.
• Attend applicable OSH and infection control training programs, mock drills, and awareness programs.

General Duties

• Comply with patient confidentiality as per hospital policy.
• Act as a messenger as required.
• Participate in any scheduled educational activities.
• Work together with nurses for the completion of departmental inventories.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Experience

• Some high school or equivalent.
• Demonstrate motivation to work in a healthcare environment.

Skills & Competencies

• Intermediate English skills preferred.
• Spoken Arabic advantageous.