Patient Care Assistant

Job Description

Patient Care Assistant, Med/Surg

Job Type: PRN | Days

Schedule: Varies, as needed

Your experience matters

Haywood Regional Medical Center is part of Lifepoint Health, a diversified healthcare delivery network with facilities coast to coast. We are driven by a profound commitment to prioritize your well-being so you can provide exceptional care to others. As a Patient Care Assistant joining our team, you're embracing a vital mission dedicated to making communities healthier ®. Join us on this meaningful journey where your skills, compassion and dedication will make a remarkable difference in the lives of those we serve.

More about our team

Join our team in a 39-bed Medical Surgical unit where you will provide compassionate care to patients alongside a dedicated team of Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs). With a 1:6 nurse to patient ratio, you will play a crucial role in assessing patient needs, administering treatments, and ensuring patient comfort and safety. This position offers the opportunity to work in a collaborative environment focused on delivering high-quality patient care.

How you'll contribute

A Patient Care Assistant who excels in this role:

• Sitters observe the patient and maintain a safe environment; they must always have continuous and unobstructed view of the patient.
• The sitter may not adjust or remove restraints. If the patient complains of discomfort, the sitter is to notify the nurse immediately.
• The sitter will accompany the patient for any test or procedures off the unit. The sitter will accompany surgical patients to the Holding Area. The sitter will remain within arm's length of the patient until relieved by the RN.
• Sitters will attempt to prevent the patient from pulling out lines/tubes.
• Sitters will attempt to prevent the patient from getting out of bed if there is an activity level of bed rest ordered.
• Sitter may assist patient to the bathroom if activity level permits and RN approves. Bathroom door will remain open and sitter will have direct view of patient at all times.
• At the discretion of the nurse, the sitter may assist with ambulation and feeding.
• The sitter should assist the patient with obtaining fluids, consuming meals, wiping their face, etc.
• Sitters may read to the patient, play a board game or cards, turn on the television and engage on general conversation.
• Patient requests for assistance are referred to the nursing staff via call bell system.
• Always protect the patient's dignity and privacy by keeping the patient covered, the patient room door closed, etc.
• The sitter may not make or receive personal phone calls while on duty or use a personal cell phone. In the case of an emergency, the sitter must notify the nurse that he/she needs to be relieved to make a phone call. The sitter may not leave until he/she has been relieved.
• The sitter may have reading material while on duty, but may only read when the patient is asleep.
• The sitter will be relieved for breaks and meals but may not leave the patient until physically relieved by another staff member.

Why join us

We believe that investing in our employees is the first step to providing excellent patient care. In addition to your base compensation, this position also offers:

• Comprehensive Benefits : Multiple levels of medical, dental and vision coverage for full-time and part-time employees.
• Financial Protection & PTO : Life, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity insurance, short- and long-term disability, paid family leave and paid time off.
• Financial & Career Growth : Higher education and certification tuition assistance, loan assistance and 401(k) retirement package and company match.
• Employee Well-being : Mental, physical, and financial wellness programs (free gym memberships, virtual care appointments, mental health services and discount programs).
• Professional Development : Ongoing learning and career advancement opportunities.

What we're looking for

Applicants should have a high school diploma or equivalent is preferred. Additional requirements include:

• Certifications: AHA Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Education: High school diploma or equivalent
• Required Skills: Requires critical thinking skills, decisive judgment and the ability to work with minimal supervision. Must be able to work in a stressful environment and take appropriate action.
• Ability to respond swiftly - physically able to sit, stand, bend, brace and lift at a moment's notice.
• Calm confident manner and able to remain calm during moment of escalation or high stress.
• Maintain composure with distressed or combative patient(s).

More about Haywood Regional Medical Center

Haywood Regional Medical Center is licensed for 154 beds and offers a comprehensive array of services and 11 multi-specialty physician clinics. We also offer a 54,000 square foot Health and Fitness Center including personal training, indoor pool, massage therapy, and nursery.


Clyde is centrally located to all that Western North Carolina has to offer. With our classic Southern charm, we offer a relaxing getaway lifestyle with impressive views of the Smokies and classic Appalachian culture. We are also just a short drive away from Maggie Valley, Asheville, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

EEOC Statement

"Haywood Regional Medical Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Haywood Regional Medical Center is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity for all applicants and employees and complies with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination and harassment in employment."

About Us

Lifepoint Health is a leader in community-based care and driven by a mission of Making Communities Healthier. Our diversified healthcare delivery network spans 29 states and includes 63 community hospital campuses, 32 rehabilitation and behavioral health hospitals, and more than 170 additional sites of care across the healthcare continuum, such as acute rehabilitation units, outpatient centers and post-acute care facilities. We believe that success is achieved through talented people. We want to create places where employees want to work, with opportunities to pursue meaningful and satisfying careers that truly make a difference in communities across the country.

About the Team

We employ and provide care to people from all walks of life. We are committed to promoting healing, providing hope, preserving dignity and producing value with an inclusive workforce in which diversity is leveraged, respected, and reflective of the patients, family members, customers and team members we serve.