Patient Care Associate - Women & Children's Float - Per Diem Days (7am-3:30pm)

Overview Our team members are the heart of what makes us better. At Hackensack Meridian Health we help our patients live better, healthier lives — and we help one another to succeed. With a culture rooted in connection and collaboration, our employees are team members. Here, competitive benefits are just the beginning. It’s also about how we support one another and how we show up for our community. Together, we keep getting better — advancing our mission to transform healthcare and serve as a leader of positive change. Responsibilities The Patient Care Associate functions as a caregiver for a specific patient population to achieve desired outcomes. This position focuses on expanding knowledge and skills and provides effective direct and indirect care as part of the interdisciplinary team to a variety of complex patients. Under the direction and supervision of the registered nurse, the associate promotes patient satisfaction, comfort, and safety. The associate also serves as Unit Services Representative for this patient population, welcoming guests and maintaining positive relations. Provide patient care based on physical, psychosocial, educational, safety, and related criteria appropriate to the age of the patients served in the assigned service. Provide effective and safe patient outcomes through practice, judgment, and critical action. Maintain ongoing communication with patients, nurses, and other members of the health care team regarding patient status and care rendered. Takes self‑directed or self‑motivated initiative to ensure patient satisfaction. Participate in interdisciplinary collaboration of the patient’s plan of care from admission to discharge to ensure safe transition and continuity of care. Participate in unit and departmental quality and safety initiatives and activities. Welcome patients and check for proper identification bracelets. Prepare patients for assessment/admission, physical examination, and procedures. Takes vital signs under the direction of the RN and documents electronically according to Medical Center policy, reporting abnormal results immediately to the RN. Perform and document glucose finger stick/heel stick and collect other specimens, including stool, urine, and sputum when directed by the RN. Observe and document patient intake and output. Provide hygiene and comfort care to patients, including bathing, toileting/diapering, feeding, and bed making. Provide a safe patient environment by answering call lights/phone calls promptly and communicating with the RN immediately for any changes in patient condition. Identify delivering parent/significant other and infant accurately. Obtain and document patient weight, height/length, and head circumference as appropriate. Assist with preparation as necessary, ensuring the patient is assisted with meals or fed as needed. Download glucometer and TcB information per established policies. Demonstrate the knowledge and skill necessary to provide age‑appropriate care to patients and families. Recognize and respond to opportunities to enhance patient satisfaction. Maintain BLS certification and initiate interventions in emergent situations. Assist with patient transport to and from the unit/department as needed. Act as a patient sitter when needed. Assist patients and families with any non‑clinical questions, concerns, and/or personal needs. Provide clerical support in completing advance directives, including documentation and collaboration with the Office of Patient Experience. Create awareness of patient satisfaction in the unit by managing public displays with this information. Orient families to the unit and room, review welcome information, and explain non‑clinical needs such as television, telephone, meal ordering, visiting policy, parking, and discharge options. Act as a service recovery champion by handling and routing inquiries/issues to appropriate individuals, proactively seeking and addressing issues. Ensure the environment is in appropriate condition and free of safety concerns; report safety concerns to the manager or designee. Initiate help desk tickets to resolve any IT and equipment issues as they occur. Monitor inventory, order supplies, and procure all items as needed using established channels. Perform patient administration and charge entries, including bed assignments and/or movements in EPIC, and input patient charges for unit‑specific procedures. Initiate and maintain patient medical records by established policies. Identify the needs of the patient population served and assist the professional nurse to modify and deliver care that is specific to those needs. Communicate with patients and primary caregivers at their level of understanding. Adhere to HMH organizational standards, competencies, and standards of behavior. Perform other appropriate duties or projects of the department as assigned. Qualifications Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required High school diploma, general equivalency diploma (GED), or equivalent program. Completion of one of the following: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Medical Assistant (CMA), Patient Care Technician (PCT), Fundamentals of Nursing program from an accredited nursing school, HMH PCT Apprenticeship Program, or equivalent patient‑facing healthcare experience. Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred Experience in checking EKG, vital signs, and blood sugar. Licenses and Certifications Required AHA Basic Health Care Life Support (HCP) Certification within 60 days of entering the position. Benefits HMH is committed to pay equity and transparency. The posted rate of pay is a reasonable good‑faith estimate of the minimum base pay for this role at the time of posting, in accordance with the New Jersey Pay Transparency Act. The base compensation determined at the time of the offer may be different based on market data, experience, education, and other factors. Some positions may also be eligible for performance‑based incentives, bonuses, or commissions not reflected in the starting rate. Certain positions may also be eligible for shift differentials for evening, night, or weekend shifts. In addition to compensation, full‑time and part‑time (20+ hours/week) positions offer a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and retirement benefits. Minimum hourly rate is $19.63. #J-18808-Ljbffr Hackensack Meridian Health