Patient Care Associate: Activity Companion, Per Diem

Patient Care Associate (PCA): Activity Companion

The Patient Care Associate (PCA): Activity Companion has the primary responsibility to assist the Registered Professional Nurse in consistently monitoring patients with a potential for self-inflicted or accidental injury, or with eating disorders to maintain safety. During the assigned work period, PCA: Activity Companion will collect patient data, complete personal care of the patient, perform point of care testing such as whole blood glucose, turn & position and/or mobilize patients, and assist with caring for the needs of assigned patients with a focus on progress toward discharge, including during transitions within the acute care stay. The PCA: Activity Companion remains within close proximity of the patient at risk for self-harm and is trained to provide support through provision of divisional activities, and maintenance of a clean and safe environment for healing. The PCA: Activity Companion will accompany the patient during transport and procedures.

Direct Patient Care and Observation

• Maintains observation of the patient at all times, in close proximity, (within 3-4 feet).
• Reports changes in patient condition and comfort level to the RN and patient care team.
• Collects pertinent data and information relative to the patient's health or situation, including vital signs, height and weight, blood glucose, and food and fluid intake and output.
• Collects specimens such as urine, sputum, and stool, and transports as necessary.
• Reports abnormal findings to the RN and patient care team.
• Participates in care planning and the nursing report process.
• Incorporates patient/family rights to participate in decision making about their care.
• Utilizes standardized techniques for keeping patients and families informed.
• Provides personal care to patients including bathing, oral care, and skin care.
• Assists the patient with eating and hydration, grooming, dressing, and toileting.
• Incorporates safe patient handling into basic restorative care such as ambulation, range of motion, positioning, alignment, and use of assistive and prosthetic devices.
• Employs strategies to promote a clean, orderly, and safe environment.
• Demonstrates standard and transmission-based precautions and infection control techniques.
• Transports patients via stretcher, wheelchair, bed, isolette, crib, or escorts to various areas within the Hospital
• Transports equipment, supplies, patient belongings, pharmaceuticals and specimens to and from other departments, as requested.
• Assists with ordering supplies and equipment; maintains designated par levels of supplies in collaboration with Materiel Coordinators.
• Provides 1:1 patient observation as assigned.
• Provides details related to patient progress toward the achievement of goals and outcomes to the RN.
• Receives report of critical laboratory values and relays to the RN in a timely manner.
• Documents all care in the patient record.
• Engages the patient in conversation, diversional, and recreational activities to promote comfort, sleep, relaxation and/or reduce agitation.
• Assist patients with elimination needs, such as bedpans, commodes and urinals.
• Assist patients with mobility needs, such as transfers, ambulation, positioning, and alignment; performance of active/passive range of motion exercises. Uses assistive devices, such as walkers, crutches and various lifting devices when needed.
• Assist with specific safety needs in restraint, seizure and Code 10 situations.
• Documents all patient care provided on the Observation Sheet every 15 minutes and gives handoff report to the RN and the on-coming Activity Companion or PCA.

Patient Safety

• Supports a system that encourages the identification and analysis of errors and near misses in the context of a safety culture.
• Participates in departmental safety inspections to assure compliance with hospital safety standards as assigned.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma/G.E.D. or equivalent - required
• less than 1 year experience in a health care setting or completion of certified nurse assistant course - preferred
• experience as a paramedic, emergency technician - preferred
• Basic knowledge of medical terminology (Medium proficiency)
• Honest, punctual, and performs the job in adherence to the highest standards of ethical conduct as defined by Albany Medical Center and the tenets of the profession.
• Ability to communicate cooperatively and effectively with patients, family members, employees and others.

Physical Demands

• Standing - Constantly
• Walking - Constantly
• Sitting - Frequently
• Lifting - Frequently
• Carrying - Frequently
• Pushing - Occasionally
• Pulling - Occasionally
• Climbing - Occasionally
• Balancing - Occasionally
• Stooping - Frequently
• Kneeling - Frequently
• Crouching - Frequently
• Crawling - Occasionally
• Reaching - Frequently
• Handling - Frequently
• Grasping - Frequently
• Feeling - Constantly
• Talking - Constantly
• Hearing - Constantly
• Repetitive Motions - Constantly
• Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination - Constantly

Thank you for your interest in Albany Med Health System!​

Albany Med Health System is an equal opportunity employer.

This role may require access to information considered sensitive to Albany Med Health System, its patients, affiliates, and partners, including but not limited to HIPAA Protected Health Information and other information regulated by Federal and New York State statutes. Workforce members are expected to ensure that:

Access to information is based on a "need to know" and is the minimum necessary to properly perform assigned duties. Use or disclosure shall not exceed the minimum amount of information needed to accomplish an intended purpose. Reasonable efforts, consistent with Albany Med Health System policies and standards, shall be made to ensure that information is adequately protected from unauthorized access and modification.