Patient Care Associate Student: Float Pool, Per Diem
About The Position
The Patient Care Assistant (PCA) works under the direction of a Registered Nurse and assists the caregiving team in delivering competent, compassionate patient care. Duties include gathering patient data, providing personal care, performing point-of-care testing, assisting with mobility, and supporting patients’ progress toward discharge, including during transitions within an acute care stay. The PCA is trained in technical procedures such as vital-sign and laboratory collection and works with Materials Coordinators to support the availability, stocking, and storage of supplies. The role also helps maintain a clean, orderly, and safe care environment and may include serving as an activity companion for patients requiring 1:1 observation. This program is intended for students enrolled in a college or university who want to gain hospital patient-care experience. Students must be available to work 24 or 36 hours during college breaks or while school is in session, allowing time for studies. Expedited orientation is provided in anticipation of a quick start on the unit of hire. The position is unit-based, with the possibility of floating to other units as needed.
Requirements
- Matriculation in an undergraduate or graduate program.
- Availability to work 24 or 36 hours during college breaks or the school year.
- Honesty, punctuality, and adherence to high ethical standards as defined by Albany Med Health System and the tenets of the profession.
- Ability to communicate cooperatively and effectively with patients, family members, employees, and others.
- An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
Responsibilities
- Collect patient information, including vital signs, height and weight, and food and fluid intake and output.
- Report abnormal findings to the Registered Nurse and patient care team.
- Participate in care planning and the nursing report process.
- Incorporate patient and family rights to participate in care decisions and use standardized techniques to keep them informed.
- Provide personal care, including bathing, oral care, and skin care.
- Assist patients with eating, hydration, grooming, dressing, and toileting.
- Support safe patient handling and basic restorative care, including ambulation, range of motion, and use of assistive and prosthetic devices.
- Promote a clean, orderly, and safe environment and follow standard and transmission-based precautions and infection-control techniques.
- Provide the Registered Nurse with details about patient progress toward goals and outcomes.
- Document all care in the patient record.
- Collaborate with Materials Coordinators regarding the use, stocking, and storage of supplies.
- Provide 1:1 activity companionship when requested.
- Float to other units as needed.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
