Patient Care Assistant - Rehab

Lifepoint Health • Fort Smith, AR

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Assistant (PCA) provides general patient care in a rehabilitation hospital, supporting patients’ safety, comfort, dignity, and recovery. The role includes personal care, meal assistance, responding to call lights, transporting patients, monitoring and reporting changes in condition, and supporting licensed nursing staff with treatments and patient transitions. The PCA contributes to an interdisciplinary plan of care alongside Rehabilitation Services and maintains a clean, organized, and safe care environment. This position is identified as Category I for occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens, involving routine contact with blood or body fluids and/or use of sharps.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Basic Life Support (BLS)/CPR certification must be obtained within 30 days.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Perform patient care appropriate to the patient’s age and needs.
• Provide morning and evening personal care, including bathing, oral hygiene, grooming, 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 food trays, assist with meals, and feed patients when necessary.
• Distribute drinking water and other nourishment to patients.
• 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.
• Provide care in a manner that promotes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical or healthcare errors.
• Transport patients to and from hospital departments.
• Report and, when appropriate, document changes in patients’ condition or behavior and unusual incidents.
• Assist with preparation for patient admissions, transfers, and discharges.
• Assist licensed nursing staff with treatment procedures.
• Revise the plan of care in response to patient treatment and evaluate its effectiveness daily.
• Integrate the plan of care with the Rehabilitation Services treatment plan to support patients’ optimal functioning.
• Provide general nursing care, including positioning, lifting, turning, using special equipment, assisting with bedpans and commodes, and assisting with ambulation; 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 effective working relationships within the department and with other departments.
• Communicate clearly and appropriately with nurses, supervisors, coworkers, physicians, and Rehabilitation Services staff.
• Consult other departments as appropriate to support an interdisciplinary approach to patient needs.
• Remain 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, avoid waste, and follow charge procedures for patient charge items.
• Follow infection-control procedures and keep the unit clean and organized.
• Meet documentation standards and policies.
• Operate equipment safely and correctly.
• Respond appropriately to emergencies and physically distressful situations involving patients.
• Perform other duties within the nurse assistant’s scope of practice as assigned.

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
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED