Patient Care Associate (PCA) - Med Surg 4W - Lorain Hospital

Mercy Health • Lorain, OH

1d

About The Position

The Patient Care Associate 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 Med/Surg Unit, 4 West, at Lorain Hospital.

Responsibilities include providing basic care and comfort, recording vital signs, assisting with hygiene, mobility, and other activities of daily living, and reporting patient concerns or changes to the nurse. The associate documents care accurately, participates in hand-offs, performs delegated tasks after competency validation, and uses safe transfer techniques to encourage patient independence. The role also requires professional communication and a compassionate, individualized approach to patients, families, visitors, and colleagues.

Requirements

• Complete one of the following: a nursing aide training program; STNA state testing when required for Ohio long-term care; 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.
• Clearly communicate with members of the healthcare team and follow their directions.
• Understand patient and healthcare safety standards, including fall prevention, skin-breakdown prevention, suicide prevention, and environment-of-care practices.
• Understand infection prevention and transmission-based precautions.
• Understand clerical duties and office-based technology.
• Collect and document patient data, including vital signs, intake and output, and changes in patient condition.
• Provide basic hygiene and activities-of-daily-living care, and assist with feeding, hydration, nutrition, elimination, ambulation, and mobility.
• Use clinical technology and apply a compassionate, relationship-based approach to care.
• Be accountable for completing assigned tasks and escalate concerns through the chain of command.
• Demonstrate problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills; interact professionally with staff and patients; and be proactive in a rapidly changing environment.

Nice To Haves

• BLS Basic Life Support certification upon hire; otherwise, certification 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, preferably in the setting for which the associate is applying.
• EPIC Electronic Health Record experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide basic patient care, including comfort, vital signs, personal care, hygiene, mobility assistance, and unit-based specialty duties.
• Report patient changes and concerns to the nurse and act as a liaison between patients and nurses.
• Provide high-quality customer service to patients, families, visitors, and employees.
• Complete accurate, precise, and timely patient-care documentation when applicable.
• Participate in hand-offs and report pertinent patient and departmental information when arriving and leaving.
• Perform delegated tasks after competency has been validated.
• Use therapeutic transfer techniques that promote patient safety and independence.
• Encourage patients to complete tasks as independently as possible.
• Individualize care based on patient interests and hobbies.
• Use professional verbal and written communication.

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