Patient Care Associate - General Pediatrics - Full Time Days (7am-3:30pm)

Hackensack Meridian Health•Hackensack, NJ

About The Position

The Patient Care Associate provides direct and indirect care to a designated patient population as part of an interdisciplinary team, under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse. The role supports patient satisfaction, comfort, safety, and desired care outcomes, and includes patient-, unit-, and environment-related tasks. The position also serves as a Unit Services Representative, welcoming patients, families, visitors, and physicians; explaining hospital and unit procedures; addressing concerns; and providing clerical support to the unit and Nurse Manager. The associate assists with age-appropriate patient care, communicates changes in patient status to the RN, supports care planning and safe transitions, and participates in quality and safety initiatives. Duties include obtaining and documenting measurements and vital signs, collecting specimens when directed, providing hygiene and comfort care, assisting with meals and transport, maintaining records and patient charges, and supporting a safe and well-stocked unit. The role requires AHA Basic Health Care Life Support HCP certification within 60 days of entering the position.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent GED program.
Completion of one of the following: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Medical Assistant (CMA), Patient Care Technician (PCT) program, Fundamentals of Nursing program from an accredited school of nursing, or HMH PCT Apprenticeship Program; alternatively, equivalent patient-facing healthcare experience.
AHA Basic Health Care Life Support HCP Certification within 60 days of entering the position.

Nice To Haves

Experience checking EKGs, vital signs, and blood sugar.

Responsibilities

Provide age-appropriate patient care based on physical, psychosocial, educational, safety, and related criteria.
Promote safe patient outcomes through sound practice, judgment, and critical actions.
Communicate with patients, nurses, and other healthcare team members regarding patient status and care rendered.
Take initiative to support patient satisfaction and participate in interdisciplinary care planning from admission through discharge.
Participate in unit and departmental quality and safety initiatives.
Welcome patients and verify proper identification bracelets.
Prepare patients for assessment, admission, examinations, and procedures.
Take and electronically document vital signs under RN direction, reporting abnormal results immediately.
Perform and document glucose finger sticks or heel sticks and collect other specimens when directed by the RN.
Observe and document patient intake and output.
Provide hygiene and comfort care, including bathing, toileting or diapering, feeding, and bed making.
Answer patient call lights and phone calls promptly, maintain a safe environment, and immediately report changes in condition to the RN.
Accurately identify delivering parents or significant others and infants.
Obtain and document patient weight, height or length, and head circumference as appropriate.
Assist with meal preparation and ensure patients are assisted with meals or fed as needed.
Download Glucometer and TcB information according to established policies.
Apply the knowledge and skills needed to care for patients and families appropriately for their ages.
Recognize opportunities to improve patient satisfaction and respond to them.
Maintain BLS certification and initiate interventions in emergencies.
Assist with patient transport to and from the unit or department and act as a patient sitter when needed.
Assist patients and families with non-clinical questions, concerns, and personal needs.
Provide clerical support for Advance Directives, including documentation, informing the physician, and collaborating with the Office of Patient Experience.
Maintain unit displays that promote awareness of patient satisfaction, such as communication boards.
Orient families to the unit and room and review welcome information, unit procedures, and non-clinical resources.
Handle and route inquiries or issues to appropriate individuals, proactively addressing concerns as a service recovery champion.
Ensure the environment is in appropriate condition and report safety concerns to the manager or designee.
Initiate help desk tickets for IT and equipment issues.
Monitor inventory, order supplies, and procure equipment through established channels.
Perform A/D/T functions and patient charge entries, including bed assignments or moves in EPIC and billing entries for unit-specific procedures.
Initiate and maintain patient medical records according to established policies.
Identify patient population needs and assist the professional nurse in adapting care to factors such as age, culture, language, hearing, or visual impairment.
Communicate with patients and primary caregivers at their level of understanding.
Adhere to HMH organizational standards, competencies, and standards of behavior.
Perform other appropriate departmental duties or projects as assigned.