MGH Patient Care Assistant | Orthopedics / Medicine

Mass General Brigham•Boston, MA

12d•$21 - $27•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Assistant I (PCA) works under the direction of licensed personnel on White 6, a 30-bed unit specializing in orthopaedics and Oral Maxillofacial/Medical care. The patient population includes people undergoing elective total joint replacement, as well as patients with trauma and orthopedic oncology needs. This is a fast-paced care environment. The position requires day and night availability, rotating weekend and holiday coverage, and two shifts per week. After training, the PCA is preferably able to work autonomously on days and nights. Day-shift training may be scheduled for up to 40 hours after the start date. The PCA assists patients with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, and eating, and helps obtain temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration measurements. The role also supports patient care procedures, documentation, room readiness, equipment handling, admissions and discharges, and effective communication with patients and the care team.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
Basic Life Support (BLS) credential.
National certification as a Certified Medical Assistant or Nursing Assistant/Patient Care Technician.
Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions.
Knowledge of medical terminology.
Strong patient/customer service skills.
Ability to lift up to 35 pounds.
Computer proficiency to work efficiently with electronic medical records.

Nice To Haves

0–1 year of patient-care or elder-care experience preferred.
Ability to work autonomously on day and night shifts after training.

Responsibilities

Perform and document patient care and clinical duties as assigned, including point-of-care testing, vital signs, EKGs, bathing and other sanitary needs, transfers, ambulation assistance, 1:1 safety observation, and phlebotomy.
Assist registered nurses and physicians with examinations and treatments as required.
Document height, weight, fluid and food intake, urine, stool, vomit and other drainage output, and blood glucose results in the Electronic Health Record.
Set up food trays and assist patients with eating and feeding as needed.
Stock, equip, and clean patient rooms as needed and as patient volumes change.
Retrieve and set up equipment, clean it between patient uses, and report malfunctions according to organizational policy.
Assist with patient admissions and discharges.
Facilitate orientation of new PCA team members as directed.
Interact effectively with patients, visitors, and other care team members.
Communicate with nursing staff in a timely and effective manner about patient-care issues and condition.
Promote a positive, collaborative team environment that supports teamwork and professional growth.