Patient Care Assistant (PCA), Surgical Med Surg, Part Time, Days

UC Health•West Chester, OH

5d•Onsite

About The Position

UC Health is hiring a part-time Patient Care Assistant (PCA) for the 4th floor Surgical Med Surg unit at West Chester Hospital. Working day shift, the PCA provides basic direct patient care as delegated by clinical professional personnel, in accordance with delegation laws and rules and current education. The role also helps maintain an orderly, clean, and safe environment for patients and visitors. The unit offers a supportive, collaborative team environment and opportunities for growth and development while caring for medically complex patients. Patients undergo a wide variety of surgeries, including orthopedic, bariatric, general, trauma, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary procedures. UC Health is an integrated academic health system serving Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. In partnership with the University of Cincinnati, it combines clinical care with research and teaching, and works to advance healing and reduce suffering.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
0–6 months of experience required.
Trained and maintains proficiency in AHA CPR and patient-care skills.
Completes unit-specific hospital safety education.
Must meet one of the following: State Tested Nursing Aide training; acute medical-surgical training; hospital-specific training; or be a student from an accredited RN program who has successfully completed a medical-surgical or other acute-care rotation.
Candidates who do not have either of the first two listed training requirements must successfully complete UC Health PCA competency training and additional orientation before caring for patients.

Nice To Haves

1–2 years of equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

Engage in population-appropriate communication and care, involving patients and families in treatment and continuing care as appropriate.
Measure vital signs and record observations and measurements, including skin integrity, intake and output, height, and weight; report patient changes, including mental-status changes.
Collect routine, clean-catch, and 24-hour urine specimens and self-expectorated sputum specimens.
Assist with activities of daily living, skin care, tube and catheter care, turning, positioning, transfers, ambulation, range-of-motion exercises, and hot or cold compresses.
Provide hygiene and comfort measures, including bathing, showering, and perineal care; change linens as needed.
Empty drainage bags, record output, and dispose of bodily fluids and waste.
Use patient-care equipment, including manual, hydraulic, or electronic lifts, Hoyer lifts, and bed scales.
Remove and reapply splints, braces, cervical collars, skin and skeletal traction, and anti-embolic stockings.
Perform post-mortem care.
Distribute, remove, and set up meal trays; position and prepare patients for meals; assist with or feed patients; assist with menu selection; record calorie counts; provide snacks and fluids; and monitor head-of-bed position for patients receiving tube feedings.
Assist with turning, coughing, and deep breathing; follow up on incentive spirometry; reapply oxygen cannulas or masks; and provide portable oxygen tanks for transport.
May perform EKGs, mobile care phlebotomy, and blood glucose testing.
Communicate patient observations to the RN promptly and appropriately; orient patients and visitors to the room and unit; and update whiteboards.
Record measurements and patient data, document treatments and procedures, respond to and use the nurse call system, perform reception and phone duties as directed, and retrieve information from the computer.
Maintain a clean, safe, and organized environment; remove equipment for cleaning, reorder and stock materials, and report maintenance issues.
Participate in patient admission, transfer, and discharge, and cooperate respectfully with team members.
Ensure call lights are within patients’ reach and answered promptly; ensure patient identification bands are in place; and apply side rails and restraints for safety in accordance with policy.
Use proper body mechanics and universal precautions.
Perform other duties as delegated.