wk, Days

Albany Medical Center•Albany, NY

1d•$43,599 - $56,679

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 care to assigned patients. Duties include collecting patient data, providing personal care, performing point-of-care testing such as whole blood glucose, turning, positioning, and mobilizing patients, and supporting patient needs with a focus on progress toward discharge, including transitions during the acute care stay. PCAs are trained to perform technical procedures such as blood draws and electrocardiography. They also collaborate with Materials Coordinators to support the use, stocking, and storage of supplies and help maintain a clean, orderly, and safe care environment. The PCA may also serve as an activity companion for patients requiring 1:1 observation. The role is in the Medical/Surgical Pulmonary Renal Hospitalist unit. It is scheduled for 36 hours per week on the day shift. The role may involve access to sensitive information, including HIPAA-protected health information, and requires compliance with minimum-necessary access and information-protection expectations.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
Basic knowledge of medical terminology (medium proficiency).
Ability to communicate cooperatively and effectively with patients, family members, employees, and others.
Honesty, punctuality, and adherence to high ethical standards as defined by Albany Medical Center and the tenets of the profession.

Nice To Haves

Less than one year of experience in a health care setting or completion of a certified nurse assistant course.
Experience as a paramedic or emergency technician.

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.
Use standardized techniques to keep patients and families informed.
Provide personal care, including bathing, oral care, and skin care.
Assist patients with eating, hydration, grooming, dressing, and toileting.
Use safe patient-handling practices in basic restorative care, including ambulation, range of motion, and use of assistive and prosthetic devices.
Promote a clean, orderly, and safe environment of care.
Demonstrate 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.
Perform point-of-care testing, including whole blood glucose testing.
Turn, position, and mobilize patients.
Perform trained technical procedures such as blood draws and electrocardiography.
Collaborate with Materials Coordinators on the use, stocking, and storage of supplies.
Provide activity-companion services for patients requiring 1:1 observation when asked.
Protect sensitive information by limiting access, use, and disclosure to the minimum necessary and taking reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized access or modification.