Patient Care Associate-Med/Surg-Full Time Days-(7am-3pm)

As an integral part of the clinical care team, the Patient Care Associate is responsible for patient care and support activities promoting patient focused care within the Specialty Service.  The Patient Care Associate supports the registered nurse in patient care activities, such as: assisting patient with activities of daily living, collecting specimens and performing procedures; maintaining a safe, clean environment; and other duties as needed.

A. Clinical/Technical/Service

1. Demonstrates the ability to perform clinical/technical/service/administrative tasks

1. Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care, based on physical, psychosocial, educational, safety, and related criteria, appropriate to the age of the patients served in assigned area.

1. Performs and records patient’s vital signs, such as blood pressure, pulse, temperature
2. and respirations including pulse oximetry.
3. Documents intake and output and other data as assigned

1. Obtains patient’s rating on pain scales as a fifth vital sign in all areas except Pediatrics

1. Performs clinical procedures, such as specimen collection, venipuncture, fingersticks, EKG, application of compression devices, post-mortem care, and maintenance of skin integrity. Sets up for selected procedures and assists RN’s accordingly.

1. Assists patient with activities of daily living, such as feeding, bathing and/or toileting. Orients Patients to clinical environment. Assists patient with ambulation and all levels of mobilization.

1. Assists with dietary functions, including delivering and collecting patient trays at bedside, passing menus to patients and assisting them with menu completion, mixing nutritional
2. supplements, reporting variation in eating patterns to RN/Dietitian, and maintaining accurate
3. and timely systems for transmission of patient dietary orders and changes

1. Maintains a safe, clean and functional environment, including ensuring for the comfortable movement of the patient. Assists the patient in room maintenance, such as bed-stripping
2. and trash removed, when necessary

1. Performs Patient Observations as assigned: Constant/One-to-One observation or safety observation status of patients, e.g. safety, elopement risk, or suicide prevention.

1. Maintains “isolation status” for patients under direction of an RN and according to set procedures

1. Performs scheduled rounding on patients with emphasis on caring for toileting needs, comfort, and positioning and pain awareness. Documents on rounding log. Notifies RN is rounding has not been completed.

1. Utilizes Vocera system according to sign in/sign out protocol where activated

1. Performs other duties as assigned, including generating reports

1. Is open and responsive to the diverse backgrounds and experience of other people and promotes

1. an environment that is sensitive to cultural diversity.

1. Respects and values each patient’s unique, individual needs, beliefs, and diversity and incorporates these into delivery of care.
2. Greets visitors and answers telephones promptly and courteously. Escorts visitors to appropriate area, when necessary. Provides information as appropriate.

1. Answers Patient Call System and refers calls to appropriate staff.

1. Maintains a safe, clean and functional environment, including removing trash and bringing physical plant and equipment problems to the attention of the managers.