Patient Care Associate (PCA)- 3 Main Acute Care Med Surg

Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System•Spartanburg, SC

About The Position

The Patient Care Associate (PCA) performs patient-related clerical activities, unit clerical duties, computerized order entry, and other unit activities as applicable. Under the direction of a Registered Nurse, the PCA provides focused non-licensed clinical care to patients throughout the age continuum, including phlebotomy and basic nursing skills, as well as environmental assistance to support quality service and patient outcomes. The PCA documents and communicates patient progress, needs, and problems to team members in a timely manner, and collaborates with Leadership in developing and implementing Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System’s mission and goals. The role includes helping patients with activities of daily living and personal care, taking and documenting vital signs and measurements, supporting admissions and transfers, collecting specimens, and completing assigned unit and specialty-area tasks. The PCA is expected to communicate changes in patient status to the registered nurse, follow the proper chain of command, report risk management concerns, and participate in continuing education.

Requirements

High school graduate or equivalent; alternatively, applicants aged 17 may qualify if they will obtain a high school diploma or GED within one year.
Basic computer skills.

Nice To Haves

Hospital experience.
Graduate Nurse.
Certificate from an approved multi-skilled technician program.
Completion of the first semester of nursing clinicals.
Phlebotomy Certificate.
CNA certification.
BLS certification.

Responsibilities

Assist patients with activities of daily living safely, promptly, and courteously.
Provide personal hygiene care while respecting each patient’s privacy, dignity, and needs, including bathing, incontinence care, mouth care, nail care, denture care, hair care, and bed making.
Offer back rubs, prepare patients for meals and sleep, deliver and collect meal trays, assist with feedings, and provide fresh water and nourishment.
Keep call lights within reach, maintain side rails and low bed position as appropriate, anticipate patient needs, and perform hourly rounds and bedside shift reports.
Measure and accurately record vital signs, height, weight, and intake and output within established time frames or as requested.
Document written and verbal communications in a timely and effective manner, and report changes in patient status and actual or potential needs of patients, families, and visitors to the registered nurse.
Provide care responsive to patients’ age-specific needs by demonstrating knowledge of growth and development principles.
Know how to use and respond to Code Alert and facility alerts.
Identify areas for improvement, work on self-defined weaknesses, remain committed to unit, department, and division goals, and attend continuing education classes offered by Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System.
Report risk management concerns to the appropriate person and adhere to the proper chain of command.
Put supplies away; keep the refrigerator clean and organized and ensure its contents are within their current use dates; and tidy and organize clean and dirty utility rooms.
Apply, remove, and record non-sterile heat and cold therapy as directed.
Assist with patient admissions, discharges, transfers, and placement.
Empty Foley bags, ostomy bags, and oral/NG suction catheters; record findings and advise the nurse.
Collect and record routine non-sterile urine, feces, and sputum specimens as directed.
Perform peri and Foley catheter care as directed.
Measure and record oral intake and output, and take and record height and weight as directed.
Turn and position patients and assist with coughing and deep-breathing exercises as directed.
Perform other functions in specialty areas when competency is established, including enemas, placement of monitoring leads, and documentation.
Perform other duties as assigned.