PCT-Level 8-Full time-Days

Patient Care Assistant

Assists with the provision of patient care under the supervision of a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse. Discharges duties in a responsible professional manner consistent with all standards of nursing care, hospital policies and procedures, and the current regulations governing nursing practice in the state.

Minimum Qualifications

Education, Certification, and/or Licensure:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Obtain certification in Basic Life Support within 30 days of hire date.
• Graduate of a nurse assistant or patient care technician training program OR completion of hospital based Patient Care Technician program within 30 days of hire OR current Nursing Student OR three (3) years of patient care tech experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• One (1) year of clinical experience.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.

• Follows established plan of patient care.
• Assists with the admission, transfer, discharge and transporting of all patients.
• Implements patient safety measures including:
• Assists patient in moving, sitting and ambulating.
• Raises side rails as indicated.
• Applies restraints under the direction of registered nurse.
• Implements fall protocol under direction of registered nurse.
• Collects and records vital signs as instructed by the nurse.
• Provides measures to meet patients' comfort needs.
• Collects and prepares specimens according to policy and procedure.
• Administers care and treatments for patients as instructed by the nurse including, but not limited to:
• Bathing (am/pm care)
• Perineal, pre-operative, post-operative, and post-mortum care
• Catheter care
• Oral hygiene
• Applies hot or cold compresses
• Obtains T.P.R./Blood pressures
• Obtains Intake and output
• Ambulates patients
• Turns and positions patients
• Applies assistive devices
• Traction set-up and application
• Performs 12-lead EKG
• Oral suctioning with yankers catheter
• Performs basic routine duties every shift including:
• Distributes fresh water
• Disposes of soiled linen
• Maintains clean and orderly unit
• Maintains and stocks unit supplies
• Practices clean and sterile technique in the delivery of patient care while maintaining Body Substance Isolation.
• Gathers information relative to patient's status to identify the age specific needs of each patient and reports this to the nurse.
• Maintains an understanding of treatment necessary for each patient and provides appropriate care based on their age specific needs and promotes maintenance or enhancement of the patient's quality of life.
• Performs food and nutritional duties including:
• Distribution of snacks and supplements.
• Maintains fluid restrictions.
• Assists patients with meals and supplements as needed.
• Keeps nurse informed about department activities or problems.
• Establishes and maintains good rapport with hospital personnel, patients, and families.
• Explains tasks to patients and provides emotional support to patient and family.
• Attends and participates actively in a minimum of three staff meetings annually.
• Responds to patient's signal light immediately; notifies nurse of patient problems.
• Reports observations, requests and unusual signs and symptoms of patient to charge nurse or team leader immediately.
• Supports and adheres to hospital and nursing policies and procedures.
• Institutes emergency measures calmly and effectively.
• Reports any safety or risk management problems to charge nurse or appropriate hospital personnel.
• Documents technical skills performed, including observations, in the medical record.
• Assists with preceptorship program when required.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Heavy/Hard Work: Work requires strength and/or stamina, lifting, moving, stooping, reaching, standing, and walking.

Working Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Working closely with others.
• Working protracted or irregular hours.
• Working around biohazards.
• Working around infectious diseases.
• Working with or near the deceased.
• Working with hands in water.
• Working with electrical hazards associated with patient care equipment.

Skills and Abilities

Ability to effectively communicate with staff and patients. Ability to adapt to changing environments.

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 36

Shift: Day (United States of America)

Exempt/Non-Exempt: United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Company: WMCH Weirton Medical Center

Cost Center: 23 WMCH Nursing Acute Care Unit

Address: 601 Colliers Way Weirton West Virginia

Equal Opportunity Employer

West Virginia University Health System and its subsidiaries (collectively "WVUHS") is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. WVUHS strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. All WVUHS employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.