Patient Care Assistant - Med/Surg

Lifepoint Health • Clyde, NC

14h

About The Position

The Patient Care Assistant works on a 39-bed Medical Surgical unit alongside RNs, LPNs, and CNAs in a collaborative environment focused on high-quality patient care. The role includes observing patients, maintaining their safety and comfort, and supporting them with permitted daily activities. Sitters must maintain an unobstructed view of the patient and remain within arm’s length until relieved by an RN. They accompany patients to tests, procedures, and surgical holding areas, and promptly notify nursing staff of patient concerns or requests. The position is full-time, with 12-hour overnight shifts from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. on a rotating-weekend schedule.

The sitter does not adjust or remove restraints, leave a patient unattended, or use a personal phone while on duty. They may assist with bathroom use, ambulation, feeding, fluids, and meals when allowed by the patient’s activity level and the nurse. They also provide appropriate companionship while protecting the patient’s dignity and privacy.

Haywood Regional Medical Center is part of Lifepoint Health, a community-based healthcare network. The hospital is licensed for 154 beds and offers a range of services and multi-specialty clinics.

Requirements

• AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• High school diploma or equivalent; the posting lists this as preferred and also as an education requirement.
• Critical-thinking skills and decisive judgment.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and take appropriate action in a stressful environment.
• Physical ability to sit, stand, bend, brace, and lift swiftly when needed.
• Calm, confident manner, including the ability to remain composed during escalation or high stress.
• Ability to maintain composure with distressed or combative patients.

Responsibilities

• Observe the patient continuously and maintain a safe environment with an unobstructed view.
• Notify the nurse immediately if the patient reports discomfort related to restraints; do not adjust or remove restraints.
• Accompany patients to off-unit tests and procedures and to the surgical holding area, remaining within arm’s length until relieved by the RN.
• Attempt to prevent patients from pulling out lines or tubes and from getting out of bed when bed rest is ordered.
• Assist patients with bathroom use when their activity level permits and the RN approves, maintaining direct view of the patient.
• Assist with ambulation and feeding when directed by the nurse.
• Help patients obtain fluids, consume meals, and attend to basic comfort needs such as wiping their face.
• Engage patients in appropriate activities and conversation, such as reading to them, playing games, or turning on the television.
• Refer patient requests for assistance to nursing staff through the call-bell system.
• Protect patient dignity and privacy by keeping the patient covered and the room door closed as appropriate.
• Remain with the patient until physically relieved by another staff member, including before breaks or meals.
• Avoid personal phone calls and personal cell-phone use while on duty; notify the nurse and arrange relief before making an emergency call.
• Read only when the patient is asleep.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage options 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
• Education Level: High school or GED