Patient Care Associate NICU
About The Position
The Patient Care Associate (PCA) in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) assists Registered Nurses (RNs) with the daily care of patients. This role involves direct patient care activities such as bathing, oral hygiene, feeding, and assisting with ambulation and positioning. The PCA is responsible for accurately measuring and documenting vital signs, intake and output, and daily weights, as well as maintaining patient records in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR). They perform purposeful rounding, promptly communicate patient needs to the RN, and assist with patient admissions, transfers, and discharges. The PCA ensures patient call lights are within reach and answers them promptly. They are also responsible for collecting specimens, maintaining stock for the nursing area, cleaning equipment, and performing various patient positioning and transporting duties. Additionally, the PCA assists with nutritional needs, skin integrity maintenance, and ensures special patient supplies are provided. Depending on unit requirements and under RN direction, they may perform tasks like removing IVs, providing post-mortem care, and performing bladder scans. The role requires adherence to infection prevention policies, including hand hygiene and aseptic techniques. The PCA must demonstrate knowledge of age-specific care for the patients served, understanding growth and development principles.
Requirements
- Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) needs to be obtained within 45 days, and Nurse Aide in good standing as indicated with the State Registry in which the team member practices.
- Certificate of General Educational Development (GED) or High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED), or High School Graduate.
- None.
- Basic computer skills.
- Excellent oral and written communication.
- Excellent organizational skills and ability to set priorities.
Nice To Haves
- Team members will maintain annual educational requirements for hospital based certifications (e.g. DNV, CARF or others).
Responsibilities
- Assists RN with daily care of patients including bathing, oral hygiene, feeding, activity orders and ambulation which may include use of therapeutic assistive devices, proper positioning, range of motion and special transferring as indicated.
- Measures and documents blood pressures, TPRs (Temperature, Pulse, Respiration), I & O (Intake and Output), daily weights, and other patient data as requested.
- Documents accurately in Electronic Medical Record (EMR).
- Performs purposeful rounding under direction of RN and promptly communicates observations, concerns, and needs of patient/family to RN. Documents appropriately.
- Participates in admission, transfer and discharge process under supervision of RN including room set up, orientation to room, removing linen, and proper management of patient belongings.
- Ensures patient call light is always in reach of patient and answers call-lights promptly.
- Collects urine, stool, and sputum specimens and performs point-of-care testing as indicated using approved process for accurate specimen labeling and identification.
- Maintains competency as required.
- Completes various errands as directed including pick-up and delivery of trays, charts, specimens, and reports.
- Maintains and orders stock for nursing area.
- Cleans equipment and work areas.
- Performs various patient positioning and transporting duties which require lifting and pushing/pulling while utilizing proper technique and assistive devices.
- Performs tasks related to nutritional needs of patient under direction of RN to include diet review, tray set up/removal, proper positioning and diet selection.
- Performs tasks related to maintaining skin integrity to include proper repositioning and skin care.
- Ensures special patient supplies and appliances are provided and maintained such as TED hose and sequential compression devices.
- Under the direction of RN and as determined by site/unit requirements, may be required to remove IVs, provide post mortem care, and bladder scans.
- Practices within policies and procedures of infection prevention by demonstrating hand hygiene and knowledge of sterile and aseptic procedures, proper disposal of contaminated materials and utilizing proper attire when in direct contact with patients in isolation.
- Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served.
- Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures.
Benefits
- Comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs
- Competitive compensation
- Generous retirement offerings
- Programs that invest in your career development
- Paid Time Off programs
- Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
- Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
- Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave
- Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
- Educational Assistance Program
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
