Patient Care Assistant/PCA - BMU (Northport, AL)

DCH Health Care Authority•Northport, AL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Collaborates with the Emergency Department Staff, Medical Staff, and Clinical Assessment Team to provide direct care for Emergency Department psychiatric patients and admitted medically ill patients with behavioral health needs. This includes facilitating social and emotional needs, collaborating with Emergency Department staff, medical staff, and physicians on medication schedules, and evaluating patient progress. Collaborates with ED Physicians and Psychiatrist to ensure a safe admission or discharge plan of care. Responsible for maintaining a safe environment through the use of assessment tools, monitoring devices, and restraining techniques where deemed necessary. This position delegates to other team members to include LPNs, PCAs, PCAs/US, OTs and/or US.

Requirements

Approved previous experience in giving patient care or completion of in-service education classes
High school education or equivalent
Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.
BLS required or achieved within first 90 days of employment.

Responsibilities

Provides compassionate personal care and support services under the supervision of a registered nurse or LPN.
Collaborates with nurses, physicians, and other healthcare providers to oversee and monitor patients to support healing.
Receives RN report at the start of shift.
Performs walking rounds and shift report with off-going PCA to ensure patients are clean and dry and rooms are clean.
Applies cardiac monitoring; changes all cardiac monitor batteries at 7 am (on designated units?).
Documents patient bedside rounds q2h (odd hours).
Conducts 4 P’s on every round: Pain, Position, Potty, Perimeter.
Documents patient vital signs q4h (or as ordered).
Performs Daily Glucometer QC (Night shift).
Bathes patients daily (change for pts with central lines).
Replaces EKG pads (cardiac monitor) daily with baths.
Performs Daily linen change.
Assists patient with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) - e.g., brushing/mouth care, feeding patient, assisting with toileting, etc.
Obtains blood sugars on all diabetic patients and documents.
Stocks isolation caddies in halls and rooms are stocked for the next shift.
Keeps patient rooms clean and free from clutter (empties urinals, commodes, food, clutter, etc).
Empties trash from assigned rooms as needed and prior to change of shift.
Answers call lights in a timely manner.
Initiates or continues pressure ulcer bundle (consult with RN for Braden scores).
Turns/Repositions patients every 2 hours in bed or chair.
Initiates or continues Fall Prevention protocol (see Unit Secretary for Morse Scores).
Weighs all patients on admission and every Wednesday at 5 am (unless patient is a daily weight) standing scale preferred.
Prepares rooms for admission (admission bucket-bath basin, soap, kleenex, water pitcher, etc.).
Updates patient whiteboards Daily.
Performs Daily bath on night shift – DIALYSIS / Pre-Procedural patients.
Provides Fresh Ice at 1700/0500 for start of next shift.
Wipes down and stocks vital sign machines for the next shift.
Assists in orientation of new staff.
Other duties as assigned.
Measures and Records Intake/Output.
Accurately documents care provided according to policies and procedures.
Applies safety principles when performing care such as ambulation of patients, transferring patients, assisting with normal range of motion, and positioning, and fall prevention techniques.
Participates in cost-saving utilization of supplies.
Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
Adheres to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues, and with self.
Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors, and employees.
Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors, and employees.
Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors, and employees.
Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software, and intranet.
Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
All other duties as assigned.