Patient Care Assistant / Unit Secretary (PCA/US)

Overview

PERFORMANCE PLANNING

Provides compassionate personal care and support services under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN) that assists the patient in the achievement of physical and emotional comfort and healing. Under the supervision of the RN assist in planning, organizing, implementing, and evaluating the activities occurring in the nursing station by performing clerical and receptionist duties and maintaining the physical environment of the area. Must round on patients and audit various clinical requirements

Responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES / ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

 

Provides all personal care services in accordance with the plan of treatment assigned by the registered nurse to include but not limited to:

• Measure and record intake and output
• Measure and record vital signs, O2 Saturation, weight, height
• Positioning patients; lifting and turning patients
• Applying/utilizing special equipment
• Assisting in use of bedpan, urinal or commode
• Ambulating the patient
• Pre-operative and post-operative care
• Application/removal of anti-embolism stocking and SCD devices
• Removal of Foley catheters
• Perineal care; vaginal irrigations (non-sterile); sitz baths
• Non-medicated enemas
• Application of heat and cold
• Care of the incontinent patient
• Skin care to the immobilized patient
• Removal of saline lock
• Emptying of colostomy bags
• Application of appliances for heat and cold
• Performing blood sugars
• Placing patients on cardiac monitors
• Set up of oxygen equipment
• Feeding patients
• Collecting, labeling, and transporting of lab specimens

Accurately documents care provided according to policies and procedures.

Consistently performs basic care requirements such as rounding, use of AIDET, applying the “4 Ps” (Pain, Position, Potty, Proximity of items); prompt response to patient needs; performance of hand hygiene; use of two patient identifiers, etc.

Coordinates clerical unit functions to provide safe and smooth operations by:

• Adhering to cardiac monitor responsibilities:
• Observation of cardiac monitoring status on all patients. For breaks and lunch, makes sure that the monitor station is attended by qualified staff. 
• Validates cardiac alarms have been assigned to caregivers at the beginning of each shift.
• Notifies staff of alarms, changes in cardiac rhythm, and when there is a leads off alarm.
• Validates the monitoring status (rhythm present on sector, status of stand-by, etc.) of each patient at least every 2 hours, at change of shift and during hand-off communication for breaks and lunch.  Documents validation on the appropriate form.      
• Performs monitor count each shift to assure all monitors are present, as appropriate for area. 
• Accurately transcribing of orders, assembling, maintaining and disassembling of medical record
• Answering phones, intercoms and communicating messages.
• Rounds each shift on all patients to confirm appropriate placement of care reminders (hard of hearing, fall precautions, etc.)
• Performs timely patient discharge notifications
• Rounds at pre-defined intervals to conduct census verification
• Confirms emergency preparedness by checking emergency telephones daily and content of emergency boxes periodically.

     5. Participates in economical utilization of supplies and ensures that equipment and nursing units are

        maintained in a clean, safe manner.                                                                                              

     6. Applies safety principles when performing care, such as ambulation of patients, transferring patients, assisting with normal range of           motion and positioning.

     7. Assists in performance improvement (PI) activities by serving on PI teams as warranted, assisting

        with PI measures and supporting and implementing changes necessary for improvement.    

     8. Demonstrates working knowledge of order entry process and transcription of physician orders.

     9. Maintains well organized, well-supplied, clean nursing unit.

    10.Maintains statistics/logs as required by the unit Manager/Director.

 

DCH Standards: 

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Must adhere to the DCH Mission, Vision, and Values including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
• Performs e