Patient Care Assistant / Unit Secretary (PCA/US)

DCH Health Care Authority•Tuscaloosa, AL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This role provides compassionate personal care and support services under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN) to assist patients in achieving physical and emotional comfort and healing. Additionally, under the RN's supervision, the position assists in planning, organizing, implementing, and evaluating activities occurring at the nursing station by performing clerical and receptionist duties and maintaining the physical environment of the area. The role also involves rounding on patients and auditing various clinical requirements.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Minimum of 6 months of patient care experience (PCA - Patient Care Assistant, patient care training as RN/LPN student, certified nursing assistant - CNA) required.
Must have basic mathematics and computer skills to support clinical care, the use of electronic medical record, e-mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.

Nice To Haves

Prior secretarial experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Provides all personal care services in accordance with the plan of treatment assigned by the registered nurse.
Measures and records intake and output.
Measures and records vital signs, O2 Saturation, weight, height.
Positions patients; lifts and turns patients.
Applies/utilizes special equipment.
Assists in use of bedpan, urinal or commode.
Ambulates the patient.
Provides pre-operative and post-operative care.
Applies/utilizes anti-embolism stocking and SCD devices.
Removes Foley catheters.
Performs perineal care; vaginal irrigations (non-sterile); sitz baths.
Administers non-medicated enemas.
Applies heat and cold.
Cares for the incontinent patient.
Provides skin care to the immobilized patient.
Removes saline lock.
Empties colostomy bags.
Applies appliances for heat and cold.
Performs blood sugars.
Places patients on cardiac monitors.
Sets up oxygen equipment.
Feeds patients.
Collects, labels, and transports lab specimens.
Accurately documents care provided according to policies and procedures.
Consistently performs basic care requirements such as rounding, use of AIDET, applying the “4 Ps” (Pain, Position, Potty, Proximity of items); prompt response to patient needs; performance of hand hygiene; use of two patient identifiers, etc.
Coordinates clerical unit functions to provide safe and smooth operations.
Adheres to cardiac monitor responsibilities: Observation of cardiac monitoring status on all patients.
Ensures the monitor station is attended by qualified staff during breaks and lunch.
Validates cardiac alarms have been assigned to caregivers at the beginning of each shift.
Notifies staff of alarms, changes in cardiac rhythm, and when there is a leads off alarm.
Validates the monitoring status (rhythm present on sector, status of stand-by, etc.) of each patient at least every 2 hours, at change of shift and during hand-off communication for breaks and lunch.
Documents validation on the appropriate form.
Performs monitor count each shift to assure all monitors are present, as appropriate for area.
Accurately transcribes orders, assembles, maintains, and disassembles the medical record.
Answers phones, intercoms, and communicates messages.
Rounds each shift on all patients to confirm appropriate placement of care reminders (hard of hearing, fall precautions, etc.).
Performs timely patient discharge notifications.
Rounds at pre-defined intervals to conduct census verification.
Confirms emergency preparedness by checking emergency telephones daily and content of emergency boxes periodically.
Participates in economical utilization of supplies and ensures that equipment and nursing units are maintained in a clean, safe manner.
Applies safety principles when performing care, such as ambulation of patients, transferring patients, assisting with normal range of motion and positioning.
Assists in performance improvement (PI) activities by serving on PI teams as warranted, assisting with PI measures and supporting and implementing changes necessary for improvement.
Demonstrates working knowledge of order entry process and transcription of physician orders.
Maintains a well-organized, well-supplied, clean nursing unit.
Maintains statistics/logs as required by the unit Manager/Director.
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 Mission, Vision, and Values 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.
Adheres to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
Performs other duties as assigned.