Patient Care Associate

Patient Care Associate

As an integral part of the clinical care team, the Patient Care Associate is responsible for patient care and support activities promoting patient focused care within the Specialty Service. The Patient Care Associate supports the registered nurse in patient care activities, such as: assisting patient with activities of daily living, collecting specimens and performing procedures; maintaining a safe, clean environment; and other duties as needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs and records patient's vital signs, such as blood pressure, pulse, temperature and respirations. Documents intake and output and other data as assigned.
• Obtains patients' rating on pain scales as a fifth vital sign in all areas except Pediatrics.
• Performs clinical procedures, such as specimen collection, venipuncture, EKG, application of compression devices, post-mortem care, and maintenance of skin integrity. Sets up for selected procedures and assists RN's accordingly.
• Assists patient with activities of daily living, such as feeding, bathing, mouth care, back rubs and/or toileting. Orients patients to clinical environment. Assists patient with ambulation and all levels of mobilization.
• Assists with dietary functions, including delivering and collecting patient trays at bedside, passing menus to patients and assisting them with menu completion, mixing nutritional supplements, reporting variation in eating patterns to RN/Dietitian, and maintaining accurate and timely systems for transmission of patient dietary orders and changes.
• Maintains a safe, clean and functional environment, including ensuring for the comfortable movement of the patient. Assists the patient in room maintenance, such as bed-stripping and trash removed, when necessary.
• Performs one-to-one observation or close observation status of patients, e.g., safety, elopement risk, or suicide prevention.
• Maintains "isolation status" for patients under direction of an RN and according to set procedures.
• Performs scheduled purposeful rounding on patients with emphasis on caring for toileting needs, comfort, positioning and pain awareness. Documents on rounding log. Notifies RN if rounding has not been completed as scheduled or if issues are identified.
• Utilizes Vocera system according to sign in/sign out protocol where activated.
• Performs other duties as assigned, including generating reports.
• Is open and responsive to the diverse backgrounds and experience of other people and promotes an environment that is sensitive to cultural diversity.
• Respects and values each patient's unique, individual needs, beliefs, and diversity and incorporates these into delivery of care.

Staff Shared Duties and Responsibilities Across Clinical Specialties

• Greets visitors and answers telephones promptly and courteously. Escorts visitors to appropriate area, when necessary. Provides information as appropriate.
• Answers Patient Call System and refers calls to appropriate staff.
• Maintains a safe, clean and functional environment, including removing trash and bringing physical plant and equipment problems to the attention of the managers.
• Transports patients to stretchers or wheelchairs, as required.
• Delivers and collects trays and bedside. Delivers flowers to patients.
• Operates the pneumatic tube system when required.

Shared Duties and Responsibilities Across ICU's/Specialty Units

• Strips units/cubicles.
• Performs emergency clean-up.
• Performs emergency transport.
• Performs discharge bedmaking.
• Transports specimens.
• Updates communication board/discharge log.
• Assembles medical records.
• Updates Admission/Transfer/Discharge System.
• Maintains supplies and care of equipment.

Skills: Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Interpersonal skills to communicate and collaborate effectively with other members of the Specialty Service.
• Successful completion of Patient Care Associate Orientation Program offered at The Mount Sinai Hospital.
• Three to nine months of healthcare experience preferred.
• Ability to set priorities, problem solve, use proper judgement in difficult situations and be flexible.
• Sufficient oral and writing skills in the English language in order to communicate effectively.
• Physical stamina and manual dexterity to perform a variety of tasks and skills in the area of assignment.
• Work Setting Exposed to a variety of clinical conditions, technologies and environmental settings.

Education: Work requires a high school level of knowledge (graduate or equivalent) in order to prepare reports, keep records and deal effectively with people. AHA HeartSaver or BLS Required.