Patient Care Associate- Emergency Department - Full Time- Evening EOW

Mount Sinai Health System•New York, NY

About The Position

The Patient Care Associate is an integral member of the clinical care team and provides patient care and support activities that promote patient-focused care in the Emergency Department. The associate supports registered nurses by assisting with activities of daily living, collecting specimens, performing clinical procedures, and maintaining a safe, clean environment. The role includes monitoring and documenting vital signs and other patient data; assisting with mobility, nutrition, comfort, and personal care; supporting selected procedures; and performing observation and hourly care rounds. The Patient Care Associate also helps with patient transport, unit and room upkeep, communication and discharge processes, equipment and supply maintenance, and courteous communication with patients, visitors, families, and hospital staff. The role participates in departmental improvement and staff development activities and follows confidentiality and compliance policies.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Certificate of completion of a medical assistant or patient care assistant program, or equivalent, with venipuncture and EKG skills.
Documentation of Medical Assistant/Patient Care Associate training.
Interpersonal skills to communicate and collaborate effectively with other members of the Specialty Service.
Ability to set priorities, solve problems, use sound judgment in difficult situations, and be flexible.
Sufficient English oral and writing skills to communicate effectively.
Physical stamina and manual dexterity to perform tasks and skills in the assigned area.
American Heart Association Heartsaver or BLS certification.

Nice To Haves

Three to nine months of healthcare experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Perform clinical, technical, service, and administrative tasks appropriate to the assigned area and the patients’ age and care needs.
Measure and record vital signs, intake and output, pain ratings where applicable, and other assigned patient data.
Perform clinical procedures, including specimen collection, blood glucose testing, venipuncture, EKGs, application of compression devices, post-mortem care, and skin-integrity maintenance.
Prepare for selected procedures and assist registered nurses as directed.
Assist patients with activities of daily living, including feeding, bathing, toileting, ambulation, and mobilization; orient patients to the clinical environment.
Support dietary functions by delivering and collecting trays, assisting with menus, mixing nutritional supplements, reporting changes in eating patterns, and transmitting dietary orders and changes.
Maintain a safe, clean, and functional environment, assist with room maintenance, and report physical plant or equipment problems.
Perform one-to-one or close observation of patients for safety, elopement risk, or suicide prevention.
Maintain patient isolation status under registered nurse direction and according to established procedures.
Perform scheduled hourly care checks and rounds focused on toileting, comfort, positioning, and pain awareness, and notify the registered nurse if rounds are incomplete.
Use the Vocera system or Mount Sinai phone according to sign-in and sign-out protocols where applicable.
Greet visitors, answer telephones and patient call systems courteously, refer calls appropriately, provide information as appropriate, and escort visitors when needed.
Transport patients, specimens, and equipment as required, including emergency transports.
Deliver flowers, strip units or cubicles, perform emergency clean-up and discharge bed making, and update communication boards and discharge logs.
Assemble medical records and update admission, transfer, and discharge systems or processes.
Maintain supplies and care for equipment.
Participate in departmental performance-improvement activities and support the development of other staff members.
Maintain patient and employee confidentiality and follow health system compliance policies.
Meet regulatory, licensure, and annual health assessment requirements; identify learning needs and use learning resources.
Demonstrate professional, courteous, respectful, and culturally sensitive interactions with patients, families, staff, and the extended community.