Patient Care Associate

Patient Care Associate

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