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 a Registered Nurse and assists the caregiving team in providing competent, compassionate care to assigned patients. The role includes collecting patient data, completing personal care, performing point-of-care testing such as whole blood glucose, turning, positioning, and mobilizing patients, and supporting patients’ needs with attention to progress toward discharge and transitions during the acute care stay. The PCA is trained to perform technical procedures such as blood draws and electrocardiography. The role also supports the availability of patient-care resources by collaborating with Materiel’s Coordinators on the use, stocking, and storage of supplies. The PCA helps create and maintain a clean, orderly, and safe care environment and may serve as an activity companion for patients requiring 1:1 observation. The role requires protecting patient information in accordance with Albany Med Health System policies and applicable regulations, including HIPAA and Federal and New York State statutes. Access and disclosure must be limited to the minimum necessary for assigned duties.

Responsibilities

Collect pertinent patient 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 decisions about care.
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 in basic restorative care, including ambulation, range of motion, and use of assistive and prosthetic devices.
Promote a clean, orderly, and safe care environment.
Demonstrate standard and transmission-based precautions and infection-control techniques.
Provide the RN with details about patient progress toward goals and outcomes.
Document all care in the patient record.
Perform point-of-care testing, such as whole blood glucose testing, and trained technical procedures such as blood draws and electrocardiography.
Collaborate with Materiel’s Coordinators on the use, stocking, and storage of supplies.
Provide activity-companion services for patients requiring 1:1 observation when asked.
Protect sensitive information by limiting access and disclosure to the minimum necessary and following applicable policies and regulations.