Patient Care Assistant / Unit Secretary (PCA/US)

DCH Health System•Tuscaloosa, AL

2d•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 nursing station activities by performing clerical and receptionist duties and maintaining the cleanliness and organization of the area. The role requires 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 training as RN/LPN student, or CNA) required.
Basic mathematics and computer skills required for clinical care, electronic medical record use, 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, including measuring and recording intake/output, vital signs, O2 saturation, weight, and height.
Assists with patient positioning, lifting, turning, and ambulation, and applying/utilizing special equipment.
Assists with the use of bedpan, urinal, or commode, and provides pre-operative and post-operative care.
Applies/removes anti-embolism stockings and SCD devices, removes Foley catheters, and performs perineal care, vaginal irrigations (non-sterile), and sitz baths.
Performs non-medicated enemas, applies heat and cold, cares for the incontinent patient, and provides skin care to the immobilized patient.
Removes saline locks, empties colostomy bags, and applies appliances for heat and cold.
Performs blood sugars and places patients on cardiac monitors.
Sets up oxygen equipment and 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, and use of two patient identifiers.
Coordinates clerical unit functions to ensure safe and smooth operations, including adhering to cardiac monitor responsibilities (observation, ensuring coverage during breaks, validating alarm assignments, notifying staff of alarms and rhythm changes, documenting monitoring status, and performing monitor counts).
Accurately transcribes orders, assembles, maintains, and disassembles medical records.
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 the 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, transfers, and assisting with range of motion and positioning.
Assists in performance improvement (PI) activities by serving on PI teams, assisting with PI measures, and supporting and implementing necessary changes.
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 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.
Utilizes 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.