Patient Care Assistant

Employment Duration: 3 months

Number of Openings: 2

The Patient Care Assistant (PCA) receives daily assignments and functions under the supervision of the Registered Nurse to carry out direct patient care responsibilities.

All patient care team members act to meet patient needs and learn new skills to achieve quality patient care and customer service. Team members promote a cooperative working relationship with each other, other staff, and the public by facilitating and enhancing communication, displaying honesty and respect, displaying sensitivity to age-specific needs and cultural differences, and expressing and accepting feedback in a professional manner.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide or assist patients with personal hygiene, including bathing, oral care, elimination needs, and changing bed linens.
• Respond promptly to patients' call lights.
• Provide for patient comfort and safety by assisting with ambulation, positioning, range of motion exercises, side rails, special beds, and restraints as prescribed.
• Turn, move, and transfer patients and equipment using proper body mechanics.
• Assist patients with meals, including collecting menus, setting up meal trays, cutting food, and feeding as needed.
• Record nutritional intake as required.
• Assist with patient admissions, discharges, transfers, and transportation of patients, belongings, and equipment.
• Orient new patients to the room or unit.
• Organize and prioritize patient care tasks and assignments based on patient needs and unit activities.
• Assist with post-mortem care as assigned by the Registered Nurse.
• Perform sitter/close observation responsibilities as assigned.
• Recognize situations requiring supervision or guidance and seek appropriate resources.
• Communicate patient observations, care provided, and pertinent information through verbal and written reports.
• Document procedures and care accurately, legibly, and appropriately.
• Report and record delegated patient data, including vital signs, pain scores, oxygen saturation, height, weight, intake and output, and collect additional patient data as assigned.
• Perform selected patient care procedures and treatments as assigned by the Registered Nurse, including basic skin care, application of hot and cold compresses or ice packs, and incentive spirometry.
• Carry out duties of a first responder in emergency situations.
• Set up and maintain oxygen therapy equipment.
• Label specimens accurately and arrange timely delivery to the laboratory.
• Perform EKGs and complete required documentation, as applicable.
• Check and maintain EKG machines as required by the unit.
• Operate nursing unit equipment, including computers, fax machines, imprinter devices, and intercom systems.
• Complete unit maintenance activities, including stocking supplies and maintaining or cleaning equipment.
• Follow unit, department, and Medical Center policies, procedures, and work rules.
• Maintain confidentiality related to patients and staff.
• Follow Medical Center House and Telephone Standards.
• Adhere to Medical Center and unit-specific infection control, health, and safety policies and procedures.
• Complete annual safety training.
• Support the mission, philosophy, and goals of the Medical Center.
• Participate in unit/team goals, staff meetings, in-services, educational programs, quality assurance, and quality improvement activities.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and functional work environment.
• Report to work as scheduled and complete work assignments on time.
• Follow guidelines regarding sick leave and other paid time off.
• Comply with dress code requirements, including photo identification.
• Provide assistance to team members.
• Use the appropriate chain of command when seeking information or resolving problems.
• Perform other assigned duties, such as emptying linen hampers, answering phones, supporting unit reception, and collecting meal trays.

N/A

Required Qualifications:

• Ability to work effectively within a team.
• Ability to satisfactorily perform job duties as defined in the job description.
• Willingness to learn new skills.
• Ability to understand and communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to perform basic arithmetic computations (addition and subtraction).
• Ability to organize work and effectively set priorities.
• Ability to carry out duties of a first responder in emergency situations.
• Successful completion of Medical Center Patient Care Assistant training.
• Basic computer skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowle