Patient Care Assistant/PCA - Pulmonary Unit 6SE

DCH Health Care Authority•Tuscaloosa, AL

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Our Pulmonary Unit is a 36-bed telemetry unit focused on diagnosing and treating a wide range of patients with respiratory disorders. We are dedicated to providing high-quality, specialized care for patients and their families suffering from various lung diseases or injuries. This unit thrives on collaborative relationships with departments such as respiratory therapy, physical therapy, care management, and pharmacy. This specialty demands a strong foundation in general medicine coupled with expertise in respiratory skills. Patient care assistants are integral to our patient care team, offering daily care and emotional support when patients need it most. By observing patients closely, they act as the eyes and ears of our clinical staff, ensuring the healthcare team has all necessary resources to support the healing journey of our patients and their families.

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 the 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 the shift.
Conducts walking rounds and shift report with the 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 every 2 hours (odd hours).
Conducts the 4 P’s on every round: Pain, Position, Potty, Perimeter.
Documents patient vital signs every 4 hours (or as ordered).
Performs Daily Glucometer QC (Night shift).
Bathes patients daily (with changes for patients with central lines).
Replaces EKG pads (cardiac monitor) daily with baths.
Performs daily linen changes.
Assists patients with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) - e.g., brushing teeth/mouth care, feeding patients, assisting with toileting, etc.
Obtains blood sugars on all diabetic patients and documents.
Stocks isolation caddies in halls and ensures 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 the change of shift.
Answers call lights in a timely manner.
Initiates or continues the pressure ulcer bundle (consult with RN for Braden scores).
Turns/Repositions patients every 2 hours in bed or chair.
Initiates or continues the Fall Prevention protocol (see Unit Secretary for Morse Scores).
Weighs all patients on admission and every Wednesday at 5 am (unless the 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 the start of the next shift.
Wipes down and stocks vital sign machines for the next shift.
Assists in the 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.
Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards, including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues, and oneself.
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.