Patient Care Assistant, Mary and Elizabeth Hospital, 5BC Cardiac PCU, 7a-7p

UofL Health•Elizabeth, NJ

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Assistant (PCA) provides clinical patient care support and performs identified nursing procedures under the supervision and delegation of a Registered Nurse. Working with patients and their families, the PCA supports patient care in a caring, safe, and efficient manner. The role requires proficiency in phlebotomy and other delegated nursing procedures, along with adherence to the Nursing Department’s mission and philosophy. The PCA performs delegated and ancillary basic nursing skills, assists with activities of daily living, monitors patient condition, and collects, documents, and reports patient data. Within the scope of practice for unlicensed assistive personnel, assigned tasks may include specimen collection, use of specialized equipment, restraint monitoring, elimination procedures, point-of-care testing, patient mobility, hygiene, and other care needs. The PCA also performs routine delegated tasks, unit and clerical functions, patient transport, and activities that support a safe, therapeutic environment. The position participates in training and continuing education, emergency and patient-safety procedures, performance and quality improvement activities, and compliance with applicable standards.

Requirements

Proficiency in phlebotomy and delegated nursing procedures.
Ability to perform the described patient-care tasks within the scope of practice for unlicensed assistive personnel.
Ability to communicate effectively with healthcare team members, patients, and families.
Ability to demonstrate emergency and patient-safety procedures and maintain competence in required job elements.

Responsibilities

Deliver service to internal and external customers by meeting quality and safety standards, providing customer service, and supporting a positive work environment aligned with the hospital’s mission, vision, and values.
Perform delegated and ancillary basic nursing skills, including activities of daily living, monitoring patient condition, body mechanics, nutritional support, and other tasks appropriate to the clinical service.
Perform skills within the scope of practice for unlicensed assistive personnel and communicate their completion to the patient’s Nurse and other healthcare team members.
Collect specimens and use specialized equipment, including bladder scanners and electronic vital signs machines; monitor restraints and perform patient elimination procedures as delegated.
Collect, document, and report patient data, including vital signs, oxygen saturation, height, weight, intake and output, and blood glucose from a capillary sample.
Perform delegated routine tasks such as simple non-sterile dressing changes, external urinary catheter care, enema administration when appropriate, bowel and bladder program care, intermittent urinary catheterization, digital rectal stimulation, colostomy appliance changes on eligible mature stoma sites, and feedings through eligible gastrostomy tubes under nurse delegation and supervision.
Perform unit assignments such as patient admission and discharge procedures and environmental organization tasks.
Perform and document point-of-care testing and provide for patient mobility and exercise, comfort, rest, sleep, hygiene, grooming, dressing, skincare, dietary, toileting, and elimination needs.
Transport patients and specimens as needed.
Perform clerical duties for the unit.
Participate in training, development, and continuing education to improve role functioning and maintain competence.
Demonstrate emergency and patient-safety procedures, including appropriate management of safety devices and equipment.
Maintain a safe, comfortable, and therapeutic environment for patients and families, and know and demonstrate National Patient Safety Goals.
Participate in department activities and initiatives to improve safety, performance, quality, and patient safety, and help maintain compliance with accreditation, regulatory, laboratory, and code-of-conduct standards.
Communicate effectively with healthcare team members, patients, and families, including during stressful or emergency situations.
Perform other duties as assigned.