Patient Care Assistant - Rehab

Lifepoint Health • Fort Smith, MO

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital South in St. Louis is seeking a full-time Patient Care Assistant (PCA) for various shifts. The PCA provides age-appropriate patient care and supports patients recovering from brain, stroke, spinal cord, amputation, complex orthopedic, and other conditions. The role works closely with licensed nursing staff and Rehabilitation Services to support patient safety, comfort, and functional recovery.

Duties include assisting with personal hygiene and routine care, meals and hydration, mobility and positioning, transport, and admissions, transfers, and discharges. The PCA answers call lights, anticipates patient needs, observes and reports changes in condition or behavior, takes and records vital signs and other measurements, assists with treatments, and maintains a clean, organized, and safe care environment. The position requires clear communication, confidentiality, infection-control practices, safe equipment operation, and appropriate responses to emergencies. The schedule includes working weekends once every third weekend.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Basic Life Support (BLS)/CPR certification must be obtained within 30 days.
• At least six months of experience in an acute or long-term care facility is preferred.

Nice To Haves

• Graduate of a Registered Nursing Program preferred.
• Nursing Assistant Certificate preferred.
• At least six months of experience in an acute or long-term care facility preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide age-appropriate patient care according to the applicable standard of care.
• Provide morning and evening personal care, including bathing, oral hygiene, hair care, back care, peri-care, linen changes, and general room care.
• Notify appropriate licensed personnel when a patient reports pain.
• Prepare patients for meals, serve and remove trays, assist with meals or feeding when needed, and distribute drinking water and other nourishment.
• Answer call lights, anticipate patient needs, and make rounds on assigned patients.
• Assist patients with personal property such as dentures, glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, and prosthetic devices.
• Perform care in a way that promotes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical or healthcare errors.
• Transport patients to and from hospital departments.
• Observe and report changes in patients’ condition or behavior and unusual incidents; record observations when appropriate.
• Assist with patient admissions, transfers, and discharges.
• Assist licensed nursing staff with treatment procedures.
• Revise the plan of care in response to the patient’s treatment and evaluate the overall plan daily for effectiveness.
• Integrate the plan of care with the Rehabilitation Services treatment plan to support patients’ optimal functioning.
• Provide general nursing care, including positioning, lifting, turning, use of special equipment, bedpan and commode assistance, and ambulation assistance; use correct body mechanics.
• Check for reddened areas or skin breakdown and report findings to licensed nursing staff.
• Obtain and record temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, weight, intake, and output.
• Make rounds with the oncoming shift to ensure the unit is left in good condition.
• Maintain working relationships and communicate clearly with nurses, supervisors, coworkers, physicians, Rehabilitation Services staff, and other departments as appropriate.
• Be flexible and organized and function effectively in stressful situations.
• Treat patients and families with respect and dignity and maintain patient confidentiality.
• Use supplies and linens carefully and efficiently, follow charge procedures for patient charge items, and follow infection-control procedures.
• Keep the unit clean and organized and comply with documentation standards and policies.
• Operate equipment safely and correctly and respond appropriately to emergencies or physically distressful situations.
• Perform other duties within the nurse assistant’s scope of practice as assigned.

Benefits

• Multiple levels of medical, dental, and vision coverage for full-time and part-time employees.
• Life, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Paid family leave and paid time off.
• Higher education and certification tuition assistance.
• Loan assistance.
• 401(k) retirement package with company match.
• Wellness programs, including free gym memberships, virtual care appointments, mental health services, and discount programs.
• Ongoing learning and career advancement opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED