week NIGHTS

Albany Medical Center•Albany, NY

1d•$43,599 - $56,679

About The Position

The Patient Care Associate (PCA) works under the direction of a 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, and turns, positions, or mobilizes patients. The PCA supports patients’ needs and progress toward discharge, including during transitions within the acute care stay. Trained technical procedures may include blood draws and electrocardiography. The PCA also collaborates with Materials Coordinators to ensure supplies are available, stocked, and stored appropriately, and helps maintain a clean, orderly, and safe care environment. The role may include serving as an activity companion for patients requiring one-to-one observation. The PCA collects and reports relevant patient information, participates in care planning and nursing reports, supports patient and family involvement in care decisions, and uses standardized techniques to keep patients and families informed. The PCA provides personal care, assists with daily activities and safe mobility, follows infection-control precautions, reports progress toward care goals to the RN, and documents care in the patient record.

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 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.
Use standardized techniques to keep patients and families 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 during restorative care, including ambulation, range of motion, and use of assistive and prosthetic devices.
Promote a clean, orderly, and safe environment.
Follow standard and transmission-based precautions and infection-control techniques.
Communicate patient progress toward goals and outcomes to the RN.
Document all care in the patient record.
Collaborate with Materials Coordinators regarding supply use, stocking, and storage.
Perform trained technical procedures such as blood draws and electrocardiography, and point-of-care testing such as whole blood glucose.
May provide activity-companion services for patients requiring one-to-one observation.