Patient Care Associate

Nursing Float Pool Position

Elmhurst Hospital Center (EHC) is the major tertiary care provider in the borough of Queens. The hospital is comprised of 545 beds and is a Level I Trauma Center, an Emergency Heart Care Station and a 911 Receiving Hospital. It is the premiere health care organization for key areas such as Surgery, Cardiology, Women's Health, Pediatrics, Rehabilitation Medicine, Renal and Mental Health Services. At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality care health services, without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons.

Work Shifts: 3:00 P.M – 11:30 P.M (alternate weekends and holidays) Total hours: 37.50

Duties & Responsibilities

Purpose of Position: Under direct supervision of a licensed Nurse or other professional medical staff in a health care setting, performs a variety of clerical and health-related essential duties and responsibilities associated with patient care; performs related work.

Examples of Typical Tasks:

• Checks vital signs, weighs, and measures patients, obtains specimens and records findings on patient's chart.
• Instructs patients on how to obtain specimens for laboratory testing and performs basic specimen screening testing through dipstick and hemoccult.
• Prepares collected specimens for pick-up by labeling and preparing required form(s).
• Performs vision and hearing testing and simple urinalysis.
• Administers emergency first aid, including basic life support procedures.
• Performs simple first aid such as dressing changes, bandaging and cleansing of wounds, irrigation and cleansing of ears.
• Prepares patient for examination and assists medical provider during examination by providing necessary supplies/equipment.
• Prepares examination room including cleaning and disinfecting of instruments and equipment.
• Informs patients on proper preparation for various medical testing.
• Interviews patient to obtain routine personal and medical information and appropriate health history.
• Maintains, completes, processes and files patients' charts, appropriate forms and documents.
• Reports observations of patient to clinical staff caring for patient to ensure professional assessment.
• Answers routine inquiries of patients in person or via telephone and makes appropriate referrals.
• Provides information to patients and their families regarding health care services and the achievement of healthy, safe living.
• Maintains inventory of the unit's equipment stock and supplies.
• Works effectively as a team member in the delivery of care and assists in the orientation of new employees.
• Directs and escorts patients to other departments and/or health care settings, as needed.
• Coordinates efforts of various clinic and health care setting departments in scheduling and re-booking appointments through manual and/or automated systems and enters pertinent patient information into the Electronic Medical Record systems.
• Obtains blood specimens for laboratory testing by performing venipuncture and/or fingerstick testing.
• Operates electrocardiograph equipment to record electrical wave tracing of the electrical currents of the heart muscle.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualification Requirements: 1. High school diploma or its educational equivalent, approved by a State's Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization; and 2. Successful completion of training courses including the performance of phlebotomy and electrocardiography (EKG), or completion of a training program or programs that include the performance of phlebotomy and EKG, such as Phlebotomy Technician and EKG Technician training programs, a Patient Care training program, or a Medical Assistant training program; and 3. Holds, or obtains through facility orientation, a valid and current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association (AHA). Special Note: In addition to meeting the qualifications above, assignment to a long-term care facility requires New York State Nurse's Aide certification.

Benefits

NYC Health and Hospitals offers a competitive benefits package that includes: Comprehensive Health Benefits for employees hired to work 20+ hrs. per week Retirement Savings and Pension Plans Paid Holidays and Vacation in accordance with employees' Collectively bargained contracts Loan Forgiveness Programs for eligible employees College tuition discounts and professional development opportunities College Savings Program Union Benefits for eligible titles Multiple employee discounts programs Commuter Benefits Programs