Research Patient Care Assistant

At Houston Methodist, the Research Patient Care Assistant (RPCA) supports research projects under the supervision of the Clinical Trials Manager which may include clinical research protocols, and gathering patient data via methods specified in the study protocol. The RPCA demonstrates the basic knowledge and skills necessary to communicate appropriately and carry out delegated nursing assistant-level tasks for assigned age-specific, diverse patient populations, assisting in the delivery of patient care and services under the supervision of a licensed nurse.

This position ensures accurate data collection, documentation, organization, and safety of study volunteers. This position will also approach potential research patients to participate in studies and will manage actigraphy devices on the unit. This position conducts rounding on designated research units to ensure patient needs are met, records data established by policy and procedure, and reports and records observations for research study and patient problems to the licensed nurse or Clinical Trials Manager. The RPCA position performs basic patient care activities of daily living (ADL's) within unit-specific defined limits and job scope, such as assistance with patient elimination, hygiene, comfort, safety, nutrition, and progress activity and practices Patient and Family Centered Care in concert with Houston Methodist ICARE values.

FLSA STATUS
Non-exempt

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

EXPERIENCE

• • Must possess one of the following: ◦ PCA externship ◦ PCA internal internship ◦ Six months of direct patient care experience ◦ Enrolled in a school of nursing program with a completed first clinical rotation

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required

• BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
• Performs basic patient care activities of daily living (ADL’s) within unit specific defined limits and job scope, such as assistance with patient elimination, hygiene, comfort, safety, nutrition, and progress activity
• Completes required continuous training and education, including department-specific requirements

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes a positive work environment with the interprofessional care team. Participates in teamwork by responding positively to requests for assistance. Works well with others to make contributions to the work effort as a whole and facilitates research interventions.
• Interacts with peers, staff and physicians in a supportive and respectful manner. Encourages open communication to achieve mutual understanding. Communication to promote both work efforts and problem resolution is clear and professional. Collaborates with all members of the interprofessional team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information in a clear and timely manner.
• Contributes towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Documents, per research study protocol where applicable, care administered, diagnostic measurements, treatments and procedures in accordance with established policies and procedures. Responds to the call light system, contacting nursing personnel as appropriate, and follows through with meeting patient needs.
• Performs clinical research support functions as assigned by the Clinical Trials Manager including but not limited to performing research interventions in various hospital units and maintaining study interventions and research study equipment as outlined in the research protocol.
• Follows the patient and family-centered care standards and provides direct patient care under the direction of a registered nurse/Clinical Trials Manager
• Performs clinical research support functions as assigned by the clinical trial manager including but not limited to approaching research candidates, data abstraction, and recording in case report forms (CRFs).
• Contributes towards improving department scores for patient satisfaction on unit-based scorecard through peer-to-peer accountability, i.e. adhering to research intervention/protocols.
• Assists with maintaining, cleaning, and stocking of equipment and supplies as established on assigned unit. May serve as an in-house courier which may include retrieving blood, hand delivering labs, tele boxes, etc. Organizes the workflow, problem-solves basic and routine matters, and manages multiple ongoing priorities, seeking guidance and assistance from a licensed nurse or Clinical Trials Manager.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Reports observations, conditions, and problems of patients to licensed personnel to achieve desired patient outcomes. Provides for the privacy of patients and families, keeping the safety of the patient in mind.
• Provides appropriate communication to nurses, PCAs and fellow RCPAs to collaborate and promote patient-centered care.
• Conducts rounding according to research protocols to ensure patient needs are met. Ensures accurate research data collection, documentation organization, and safety of study volunteers.
• Assists Clinical Trial Manager in identifying opportunities for research workflow process improvement, providing recommendations, and contributing to meeting department and hospital targets for quality and safety.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assures study conduct meets appropriate Institutional Review Board (IRB), Federal Drug Administration (FDA), Institutional Council of Harmonization (ICH)/Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and agency guidelines.
• Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, minimizing incidental overtime. Utilizes time between heavy workloads efficiently and helps other team members.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Seeks guidance and validation of knowledge base, skill level, and decision-making as necessary, especially in areas of question, from the Clinical Trials Manager and assigned licensed personnel. Completes and updates the individual development plan (IDP) on an ongoing basis.
• Identifies and assists with opportunities for performance and operational improvement(s). Supports change initiates and adapts to unexpected changes.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform: No
• Scrubs: Yes
• Business professional: Yes
• Other (department approved): No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

EXPERIENCE

• • Must possess one of the following: ◦ PCA externship ◦ PCA internal internship ◦ Six months of direct patient care experience ◦ Enrolled in a school of nursing program with a completed first clinical rotation

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required

• BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association