Patient Care Associate: C2, 36 hr/wk, Night
About The Position
The Patient Care Associate (PCA) works under the direction of a Registered Nurse to provide direct patient care and support in an acute care setting. The role emphasizes compassionate, respectful care and collaboration with the healthcare team to support patient progress toward discharge and overall well-being. The PCA maintains Basic Life Support (BLS) certification and participates in ongoing education and competency validation during orientation and continuing development. Orientation includes validation of skills in vital signs, glucose monitoring, catheter care, patient transfers, and use of hospital systems and equipment. The role also involves teamwork, communication, and quality improvement activities to enhance patient satisfaction and safety. The position may require access to sensitive information, including HIPAA Protected Health Information. Workforce members must access and use only the minimum information necessary for assigned duties and take reasonable steps to protect information from unauthorized access and modification.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Honesty, punctuality, and adherence to the highest standards of ethical conduct as defined by Albany Medical Center and the tenets of the profession.
- Ability to communicate cooperatively and effectively with patients, family members, employees, and others.
- Regularly stand and walk and use hands for various job functions; occasionally sit, kneel, or crouch.
- Maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
Nice To Haves
- Basic knowledge of medical terminology is preferred.
- Six months of related experience in a health care setting, completion of a certified nurse assistant course, and/or experience as a paramedic or emergency technician is desired.
Responsibilities
- Collect patient data, including vital signs, height, weight, and blood glucose measurements.
- Assist patients with bathing, oral care, grooming, dressing, toileting, and feeding.
- Turn, position, and ambulate patients and assist with range-of-motion exercises.
- Assist with assistive and prosthetic devices and use fall-prevention and safe patient-handling techniques.
- Provide continuous observation or sitter services for patients requiring 1:1 monitoring.
- Participate in care planning and nursing report processes, communicate patient progress, and document care.
- Maintain a clean, orderly, and safe care environment, including stocking supplies and following infection-control practices.
- Help prevent falls, catheter-associated infections, and pressure injuries, and manage safety alarms.
- Provide care for patient needs and conditions including ostomies, surgical drains, chest tubes, heart failure, diabetes, seizures, and end-of-life comfort care.
- Interact with patients and families respectfully and with cultural sensitivity.
- Maintain BLS certification and participate in ongoing education and competency validation.
- Participate in teamwork, communication, and quality-improvement activities to enhance patient satisfaction and safety.
- Protect sensitive information by limiting access and use to the minimum necessary and taking reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized access or modification.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
