Patient Care Associate: D5E Neuro Progressive Care, 24hrs/week, DAYS

Albany Medical Center•Albany, NY

1d•$41,923 - $54,500

About The Position

The Patient Care Assistant (PCA) works under the direction of the Registered Nurse and assists the caregiving team in delivering competent, compassionate patient care. During assigned work periods, the PCA collects patient data, provides personal care, performs point-of-care testing such as whole blood glucose, turns, positions, and mobilizes patients, and supports the needs of assigned patients with a focus on progress toward discharge, including transitions during the acute care stay. The PCA is trained to perform technical procedures such as blood draws and electrocardiography and collaborates with Materials Coordinators to support the use, stocking, and storage of supplies. The PCA helps create and maintain a clean, orderly, and safe care environment and may be asked to serve as an activity companion for patients requiring 1:1 observation. The role includes collecting and reporting patient information, participating in care planning and nursing reports, supporting patients’ and families’ involvement in care decisions, providing personal care and assistance with daily activities, using safe patient-handling practices, following infection-control precautions, reporting patient progress to the RN, and documenting care in the patient record. This position is in Neuro Progressive Care, on the day shift, for 24 hours per week.

Requirements

High school diploma, G.E.D., 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 the highest standards of ethical conduct 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 health and situation data, including vital signs, height and weight, and food and fluid intake and output.
Report abnormal findings to the RN and patient care team.
Participate in care planning and the nursing report process.
Incorporate patient and family rights to participate in care decisions and use standardized techniques to keep them 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 activities, and use of assistive and prosthetic devices.
Promote a clean, orderly, and safe environment and demonstrate standard and transmission-based precautions and infection-control techniques.
Share details about patient progress toward goals and outcomes with the RN.
Document all care in the patient record.
Perform point-of-care testing, such as whole blood glucose, and technical procedures such as blood draws and electrocardiography, as trained.
Collaborate with Materials Coordinators on the use, stocking, and storage of supplies.
Provide activity-companion services for patients requiring 1:1 observation when asked.