Student Nurse Patient Care Assistant (PRN, Casual Hours)

Penn Medicine is dedicated to our tripartite mission of providing the highest level of care to patients, conducting innovative research, and educating future leaders in the field of medicine. Working for this leading academic medical center means collaboration with top clinical, technical and business professionals across all disciplines.

Today at Penn Medicine, someone will make a breakthrough. Someone will heal a heart, deliver hopeful news, and give comfort and reassurance. Our employees shape our future each day. Are you living your life's work?

Hours: This is a casual position, requiring a minimum of 16 hours per month. You are able to work more than that, but would need to maintain the minimum even during the school year. You make your own schedule, and can let the nurse manager know when you would like to schedule your hours a month in advance. Since this is a casual position, there are no benefits including tuition reimbursement

Candidates must meet the following criteria in order to be considered:
Be enrolled in a nursing program (BSN Preferred)
Have had at least one clinical rotation in a med surg setting or previous patient care experience

POSITION SUMMARY: Assists with the delivery of direct, non-licensed patient care in accordance with established methods and procedures, under the supervision and guidance of appropriate personnel.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Qualified individuals must have the ability (with or without reasonable accommodation) to perform the following duties:

Environment Management -

• Completes cleaning tasks utilizing OSHA standards. Performs maintenance and/or inventory of equipment according to unit/department standards.
• Practices standard precautions while handling contaminated items.
• Maintains unit order and efficiency.
• Maintains appearance of patient care areas and public areas.
• Maintains safe work environment.

Supply Management/Clerical -

• Orders and stocks supplies to meet the needs of the unit/department.
• Demonstrates an awareness of cost containment practices.
• Distributes supplies to appropriate areas according to unit/department standards.
• Demonstrates computer skills necessary to perform unit/department specific responsibilities.
• Depending on location may need to schedule patients and handle phone calls.

Patient Care/Safety -

• Documents accurately and timely, according to unit/department standards.
• Reports promptly unusual situations, reactions, effects or conditions related to patient care to the responsible person(s).
• Assist patients with personal hygiene needs and/or provide activities of daily living, comfort measures including changing linen, providing safe environment for mobility and ambulation, and maintaining a clean and orderly patient environment.
• Safely assist in mobilizing, turning, and positioning of patients; including use of various assistive devices and mechanical lifts.
• Demonstrates positive interpersonal skills when dealing with patients, family members and staff.
• Functions as a patient advocate by resolving patient/family concerns through appropriate actions.
• Assists with admission, transfer, and discharge procedures.
• Answer patient call lights independently, promptly, and to the patient's satisfaction; referring patient concerns to the RN or Nurse Manager.
• Provide close observation and care safely for patients who require 1:1 observation.
• Demonstrate proper responses to emergency situations.

Code of Conduct/Professionalism -

• Identifies learning needs and seeks available resources and opportunities.
• Completes assignments within designated shift.
• Responds promptly to requests for assistance.
• Respects patient rights and maintains strict confidentiality.
• Communicates clearly, concisely and appropriately (verbal/written communications).
• Assumes personal responsibility for attendance to maintain unit/department function.
• Demonstrates concern and respect for others thoughts and feelings and handles conflicts in a positive manner.
• Able to prioritize continually

Clinical Skills -

• Maintains clinical skills necessary to perform duty/job.
• Demonstrates competency with procedures based on unit population and/or age-specific needs.
• Obtains and accurately documents all required patient information; reporting changes and abnormal findings to the RN in a timely fashion.
• Perform unit-specific lab tests as dictated by the Point of Care Testing lab standards (Glucose, stool, and emesis) record results, and report findings to the RN. Perform quality control measures on unit assigned tests and equipment.
• Properly label specimen(s) and form(s) for lab test completion.
• Participates in achieving institution wide and unit based quality outcomes.
• Performs duty/job with appropriate level of independence.
• Performs duty/job with accuracy and efficiency.
• Accepts accountability, as an individual and as a team member for all services provided

We believe that the best care for our patients starts with the best care for our employees. Our employee benefits programs help our employees get healthy and stay healthy. We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits program that includes one of the finest prepaid tuition assistance programs in the region. Penn Medicine employees are actively engaged and committed to our mission. Together we will continue to make medical advances that help people live longer, healthier lives.

Live Your Life's Work

We are an Equal Opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, familial status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status, citizenship status, military status, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable law.