Patient Care Associate (PCA) - Nursing Float Pool - Lorain Hospital

Bon Secours Mercy Health • Lorain, OH

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Associate (PCA) provides direct patient care under the guidance of a Registered Nurse or designated healthcare professional, in accordance with applicable regulations and Bon Secours Mercy Health policies and procedures. The role supports patients in the Nursing Float Pool at Lorain Hospital and includes basic care, comfort, hygiene, mobility assistance, vital-sign recording, and other delegated duties for which competency has been validated.

The PCA communicates patient changes and concerns to nurses, documents care accurately and promptly when applicable, and participates in handoffs. Care is tailored to the patient’s needs, age, interests, and abilities, with an emphasis on safety, independence, compassionate service, and effective teamwork. The position may involve high-stress or fluctuating workloads and exposure to noise, bright lights, infectious materials, hazardous substances, interruptions, and other challenging conditions. Universal precautions and personal protective equipment are required.

This is a full-time position scheduled for 36 hours per week in 12-hour shifts, 7:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m. Rotating weekend and holiday availability is required. The position is part of a collective bargaining unit.

Requirements

• Complete one of the following: a nursing aide training program; applicable state nurse aide testing or certification (including STNA when required for Ohio long-term care); or a nursing program that included one clinical nursing course and one clinical rotation.
• Have one year of relevant clinical-setting experience or successfully complete a PCA/PCT training program within six months of hire.
• Obtain BLS Basic Life Support certification from an approved source before providing direct patient care if not already held.
• Communicate clearly with healthcare team members and understand and follow their directions.
• Know patient and healthcare safety practices, including fall prevention, skin breakdown, suicide prevention, and environment-of-care standards.
• Understand infection prevention and transmission-based precautions.
• Collect and document patient data, including vital signs, intake/output, and changes in patient condition.
• Provide basic hygiene, activities-of-daily-living, feeding, hydration, nutrition, bowel and bladder, ambulation, and mobility care.
• Use clinical technology and understand clerical duties and office-based technology.
• Demonstrate accountability, problem-solving, proactive adaptation to change, professional interpersonal communication, and the ability to escalate concerns through the chain of command.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills to provide age-appropriate care, including knowledge of lifespan growth and development and the ability to assess and interpret patient information.
• Be available for rotating weekends and holidays.

Nice To Haves

• BLS Basic Life Support certification upon hire.
• Recent experience in acute care, a physician’s office, home health or hospice, or a long-term care facility; experience in the setting of application is preferred.
• EPIC Electronic Health Record experience or training.

Responsibilities

• Provide basic patient care, including comfort, personal care and hygiene, and recording vital signs.
• Assist patients with mobility and use therapeutic transfer techniques that promote safety and independence.
• Report patient changes or concerns to the nurse and act as a liaison between patients and nurses.
• Provide customer service to patients, families, visitors, and employees.
• Document patient care accurately, precisely, and promptly when applicable.
• Participate in handoffs and report pertinent patient and departmental information when arriving and leaving.
• Perform delegated tasks after competency has been validated.
• Encourage patients to complete tasks as independently as possible and provide individualized care based on their interests and hobbies.
• Communicate professionally, verbally and in writing, with patients and healthcare team members.
• Follow infection-control practices, universal precautions, and personal protective equipment requirements.

Benefits

• Competitive pay, incentives, referral bonuses, and a 403(b) with employer contributions when eligible.
• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage; HSA/FSA options; life insurance; mental health resources; and discounts.
• Paid time off, parental and FMLA leave, short- and long-term disability, and backup care for children and elders.
• Tuition assistance, professional development, and continuing education support.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed