Patient Care Associate (PCA) - Rehab - Lorain Hospital

Mercy Health BSMH • Lorain, OH

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Associate (PCA) provides direct patient care under the guidance of a Registered Nurse or designated healthcare professional, following applicable regulations and Bon Secours Mercy Health policies and procedures. The role supports patients on the rehabilitation unit at Lorain Hospital, delivering care appropriate to each patient’s age, development, and individual needs.

The PCA provides basic care and comfort, takes and records vital signs, assists with personal care, hygiene, mobility, and nutrition, and uses therapeutic transfer techniques that promote independence and safety. The associate communicates patient concerns or changes to the nurse, documents care accurately and promptly, shares relevant information during handoffs, and performs delegated tasks after competency has been validated. The role also requires professional communication, customer service, collaboration with the healthcare team, and adherence to infection-control and safety practices.

Requirements

• Must have completed one of the following: a nursing aide training program; STNA state testing (required if OH LTC); CNA certification; nurse’s aide state testing; a nursing program including one clinical nursing course and one clinical rotation; one year of relevant clinical-setting experience; or a PCA/PCT training program within six months of hire.
• Ability to clearly communicate with other members of the healthcare team and understand and follow their directions.
• Knowledge of patient and healthcare safety standards, including fall prevention, skin breakdown, suicide prevention, and environment-of-care safety.
• Knowledge of infection prevention and transmission-based precautions.
• Understanding of clerical duties and office-based technology.
• Skills in patient data collection and documentation, including vital signs, intake/output, and changes in patient condition.
• Ability to provide basic hygiene and activities-of-daily-living care, feeding and hydration support, and bowel and bladder elimination care.
• Ability to assist with ambulation and patient mobility and use clinical technology.
• Compassionate, relationship-based approach to care and accountability for completing assigned tasks.
• Ability to escalate concerns through the chain of command, solve problems, communicate interpersonally, engage professionally, and act proactively in a rapidly changing environment.
• Ability to provide care appropriate to the age and developmental needs of patients served on the assigned unit.

Nice To Haves

• BLS Basic Life Support certification upon hire; otherwise, it must be obtained from an approved source before providing direct patient care.
• Recent experience in acute care, a physician’s office, home health or hospice, or a long-term care facility; experience in the setting for which the applicant is applying is preferred.
• EPIC Electronic Health Record experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide basic patient care, comfort, personal care, and hygiene, and record vital signs.
• Assist patients with mobility using therapeutic transfer techniques that promote independence and safety.
• Encourage patients to complete tasks as independently as possible and provide individualized care based on their interests and hobbies.
• Report patient changes or concerns to the nurse and act as a liaison between the patient and nurse.
• Provide high-quality customer service to patients, families, visitors, and employees.
• Document patient care accurately, precisely, and in a timely manner when applicable.
• Participate in handoffs and report pertinent patient and departmental information when arriving and leaving.
• Perform delegated tasks after competency has been validated.
• Use professional verbal and written communication and follow the healthcare team’s directions.
• Follow universal precautions, use personal protective equipment, and comply with infection-control policies.

Benefits

• Competitive pay, incentives, referral bonuses, and a 403(b) with employer contributions when eligible.
• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage; HSA/FSA options; life insurance; mental health resources; and discounts.
• Paid time off, parental and FMLA leave, short- and long-term disability, and backup care for children and elders.
• Tuition assistance, professional development, and continuing education support.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed