Patient Care Associate

Position Summary

Under the direction of a registered/licensed nurse (RN), the Patient Care Associate (PCA), as a member of the interdisciplinary health care team, assists in clinical support functions to promote a safe, compassionate patient care environment.

Responsibilities

• Assists with meeting direct patient care needs

• Consistently foster a healing environment with respect and kindness, demonstrating respect for all individuals with sensitivity to cultural diversity.

• Contributes to the plan of care through ongoing communication with the RN

• Assists with patient data and specimen collection

• Assists with equipment preparation and set up

• Completes hourly patient care rounds, anticipating patient needs proactively

• Maintains patient and family privacy and confidentiality

• Responds to patient and family requests, including answering patient call lights promptly

• Seeks registered nurse assistance to meet patient/family needs when necessary.

• Communicates respectfully with all members of the interdisciplinary team

• Monitors patient and environment for safety concerns and immediately reports changes to RN/licensed nurse

• Maintains a safe and clean patient care environment

Follows Infection Prevention Practices:

• Demonstrate proper hand washing 100% of the time.

• Utilizes two patient identifiers for appropriate patient identification before all specimen collections

• Follows Safe Patient Handling principles to maintain safety for both patients and staff

• Documents aspects of care on approved forms or electronic medical record

• Participates as a member of the Interdisciplinary team to meet patient/family and unit/department needs

• Proactively assists others

• Performs delegated responsibilities and demonstrates a willingness to adapt to changing unit demands

• Provides care appropriate to the age group of patients on assigned unit(s) as described in the relevant unit profiles

• Completes annual required training

• Updates knowledge through periodic in-services

• Other duties as assigned

• Assists with activities of daily living (i.e., personal hygiene/grooming, bathing/showering, toileting, dressing, and functionality/mobility)

• Sets up food trays and assists patients with meals as indicated

• Performs preventative skincare

• Assists patients with positioning, turning, mobilization, ambulation, and passive and active range of motion per plan of care

• Applies/removes pneumatic sequential compression sleeves

• Adheres to standard precautions

• Adheres to hand hygiene guidelines

• Assists with the admission/discharge process

• Provides safe patient transportation

• Orients patients and families/visitors to surroundings

• Ensures safekeeping of patient valuables, including packing and storing

• Checks patients for ID bands and notifies nurse if replacement is needed

Patient Data and Specimen Collection:

• Utilizes two (2) patient identifiers for proper patient identification before all specimen collections

• Obtains and records vital signs, pulse oximetry, and non-invasive B/P and immediately report changes to RN/licensed nurse.

• Performs blood glucose testing

Equipment:

• Retrieves equipment from other areas

• Cleans equipment between patient use

Follows equipment management protocols on the assigned unit for patient benefit:

• Cardiac monitors

• Portable oxygen cylinder

• Nasal cannula/face mask

• Pulse oximeter and probe

• Suction canister-liner system

• Patient lifting equipment

• Scales: Standing/Chair/Wheelchair

• Provides a Safe and Comfortable Patient/Family experience

• Adheres to service excellence standards during care provision with the respectful, courteous, culturally sensitive care

• Responds to call lights promptly and prioritizes call light response appropriately

• Participates in hourly rounding per unit protocol

• Provides constant observation for patients at risk for injury in person or virtually

• Reapplies soft restraints/roll belt per unit protocol

• Uses principles of Safe Patient Handling

Documentation on Approved Forms and in Medical Records:

• Records intake of fluids and food

• Records height and weight

• Records output of urine, stool, vomitus, and drain output

• Records vital signs, pulse oximetry, and non-invasive BPs

• Records blood glucose results

Qualifications:

Years of Experience: Six months experience as a Nursing Assistant or a Nursing Student currently enrolled in a formal program who has completed at least one clinical rotation or is presently enrolled in, and completes, the NWH Patient Care Associate Training Program

Education:

• High school graduate or equivalent

• Certification as a Nursing Assistant preferred

Language Skills: Proficient in English, both verbally and written

Requirements:

• Successful completion of the literacy exam with a score of 80% or better (PCA Training Program candidates only)

• CPR training required

• Knowledge of the English language sufficient to read, speak, and write accurately

• Knowledge of simple arithmetic

• Ability to lift and transport patients safely using the appropriate physical technique for the patient and self, according to Safe Patient Handling Guidelines.

• Ability to master basic computer skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills to interact effectively with patients, visitors, and hospital personnel

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