Patient Care Assistant- Full Time Day Shift- Med Psych- Riley 4E

Indiana University Health System•Indianapolis, IN

About The Position

IU Health is seeking a Patient Care Technician, also known as a Patient Care Assistant (PCA), to provide bedside care and a positive patient experience. The PCA anticipates patient needs by providing drinks, assisting with meal ordering, encouraging walking, helping with baths, and supplying clean linens and gowns. The role provides clinical assistance to bedside RNs by obtaining vital signs and reporting abnormalities or changes in patient behavior to the primary RN or charge nurse so that concerns can be detected and treated promptly. The PCA helps maintain patient safety by using measures such as gait belts and bed and chair alarms, and by staying within arm’s reach of patients while they move. The position requires compassion, a caring bedside manner, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. It also calls for knowledge of age- and developmentally appropriate care, patient-care procedures and standards, infection control, and the procedures, equipment, and software relevant to the non-licensed role. The employee must communicate effectively, manage priorities and a high workload, remain focused amid interruptions and noise, use judgment to resolve problems, and perform physically demanding repetitive movements.

Requirements

Current Basic Life Support certification through the AHA, or attainment of certification upon completion of the IU Health PCA education program.
Other advanced life support certifications may be required according to unit or department specialty and patient care policies.
Knowledge of care appropriate to the age and developmental level of patients served.
Up-to-date knowledge of procedures and standards related to patient care activities.
Proficiency in interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability to maintain mental awareness and withstand a high level of tension and stress.
Ability to concentrate amid frequent interruptions and variable noise levels.
Ability to exercise judgment and initiative in resolving problems.
Ability to set priorities and manage a high workload within limited time.
Knowledge of procedures, equipment, software, and standards related to patient care activities performed by non-licensed roles.
Knowledge of infection-control principles.
Ability to perform physically demanding, repetitive movements.
Ability to read and perform basic math.
Ability to organize tasks and attend to details.
Knowledge of personal hygiene and aseptic techniques to prevent infection of patients, self, and others.

Responsibilities

Anticipate and meet patient needs, including providing drinks and assisting with meal ordering.
Encourage patients to walk and assist with baths.
Provide clean linens and gowns.
Obtain vital signs and report abnormalities or changes in patient behavior to the primary RN or charge nurse.
Use safety measures such as gait belts and bed and chair alarms.
Stay within arm’s reach of patients when they are moving.