Health Care Associate (HCA) - Progressive Cardiac Care Unit 1 (PCCU) 6SE - St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital

Thank you for considering a career at Mercy Health!

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

36

Work Shift:

Nights (United States of America)

This role is represented by a collective bargaining agreement.

Mercy Health St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital

SHIFT:

Full time Nights

7p - 7:30a

JOB SUMMARY:

The Health Care Associate (HCA) /Patient Care Associate (PCA) works with his/her team partner(s), the Registered Nurse and the Unit Secretary, to provide direct patient care.  As a member of the Patient Care Team, the HCA/PCA is cross trained to perform a wide range of essential patient services.

The HCA/PCA performs a variety of basic age-specific duties to assist in the care of the patients under the direction of a Registered Nurse (RN).  All clinical care will be done under the direction of the RN who has determined appropriate tasks for delegation.  The HCA/PCA makes observations as directed by the RN and reports deviations to the RN.

EDUCATION:

• High School Diploma/GED preferred

• STNA (State-tested Nurse Assistant) or completion of HCA training course with Certification related to acute care setting, or a Nursing Student who has completed first semester of an acute care hospital-based clinical experience OR ”1 year of relevant experience in a clinical setting”

• BLS certified by American Heart Association

EXPERIENCE:

• Experience in providing direct patient care.

• Computer literacy.

• Previous experience working in specialty area.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Follows detailed written and oral instructions.

• Completes specific, routine tasks.

• Requires basic reading, writing or simple arithmetic skills.

• May operate basic equipment/machinery.

• Basic computer skills required.

PRINCIPAL JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Performs general patient care including, but not limited to:  bathing, mouth care, changing linens, dressing patient, back rubs, elimination, hygiene and other needs as expressed.

• Observes patient’s responses and reports any adverse reaction or other pertinent information to Registered Nurse and Physician.

• Demonstrates competency in providing age appropriate care to defined patient populations based on unit/area’s scope of service.

• Obtains and records vital signs, height and weight.

• Lifts, ambulates and transports patient.  Seeks assistance as needed.

• Positions patient and performs range of motion.  Assists physical therapist as needed.

• Anticipates patient’s needs and responds in a timely manner to patient and other caregiver requests.

• Provides friendly assistance to patient’s family members and visitors strong emphasis on customer service.

• Performs venipunctures for blood collection.

• Collects specimens (i.e. urine, sputum) and ensures timely transport of specimens to the lab.

• Performs designated bedside lab tests.

• Applies oxygen therapy.

• Performs electrocardiogram (ECG).

• Performs wound care as directed by the RN.

• Performs urinary catheterizations and enemas. 

• Observes universal precautions and aseptic techniques.

• Performs computer order/entry functions as required by care center.

• Accurately charts patient information following the guidelines for charting by standards.

• Delivers menus.  Prepares patient for meals, distributes food trays, feeds patient and removes trays.  Distributes drinking water.

• Answers phones courteously and quickly addresses the caller’s needs.

• Initiates emergency procedures when necessary.

• Works overtime as needed.

• Assists in orientation of new personnel.

Job Accountabilities – other

• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Acts as a liaison and supports person for family members.

• Assists with patient education and discharge planning under supervision of RN.

• Inventories unit and determines supply needs.  Conveys needs to appropriate personnel.

• Assists in daily cleaning of patient rooms and care center.  Helps prepare room(s) for incoming patients.

• Assesses maintenance needs.

a. Initiates maintenance requisition to repair equipment, furniture and building fixtures.

b. Performs simple maintenance (light bulbs, batteries).

Mercy Health is an equal opportunity employer.

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