Patient Care Associate: VIR-Per Diem

Albany Medical Center•Albany, NY

6d•$43,599 - $56,679

About The Position

The Patient Care Assistant (PCA) works under the direction of a Registered Nurse and assists the caregiving team in delivering competent, compassionate 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 assigned patients’ care needs 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 availability, stocking, and storage of supplies. The PCA helps maintain a clean, orderly, and safe care environment and may provide activity-companion services for patients requiring one-to-one observation. The position may involve access to sensitive information, including HIPAA-protected health information. Workforce members must limit access, use, and disclosure to the minimum necessary for assigned duties and protect information from unauthorized access and modification in accordance with Albany Med Health System policies and standards.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
Basic knowledge of medical terminology (medium proficiency).
Honesty and punctuality, and adherence to high ethical standards as defined by Albany Medical Center and the profession.
Ability to communicate cooperatively and effectively with patients, family members, employees, and others.

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 information, including vital signs, height and weight, and food and fluid intake and output.
Report abnormal findings to the Registered Nurse 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 basic 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.
Provide the Registered Nurse 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 and trained technical procedures such as blood draws and electrocardiography.
Collaborate with Materials Coordinators on the use, stocking, and storage of supplies.
Provide activity-companion services for patients requiring one-to-one observation when requested.
Protect sensitive information by limiting access, use, and disclosure to the minimum necessary and following applicable policies and standards.