Patient Care Associate (PCA)

Northwell•Village of Valley Stream, NY

7d•$30 - $32

About The Position

Under the direction and supervision of a Registered Nurse, the Patient Care Associate assists patients with activities of daily living, provides basic nursing care, and performs various procedures, exams, and tests. The role also helps maintain a safe and clean environment and promotes improved customer relations. The associate is a member of the nursing care team and participates in implementing patients’ plans of care. Duties include assisting with patient needs, communicating and documenting patient status and other pertinent data, supporting clinical procedures and unit clerical work, maintaining patient-care areas and supplies, transporting patients, and following safety, isolation, waste-disposal, and infection-control procedures. The position also involves participating in continuing education programs and staff meetings, and accessing medication delivery or medication areas when authorized and required.

Requirements

Successful completion of a New York State Certified Nursing Attendant program, or completion of one year of clinical coursework while actively pursuing an RN degree.
Pass the Long Island Jewish Valley Stream Patient Care Associate competency test before entering the training program.
High school diploma or equivalent.
Pass the Long Island Jewish Medical Center training program within the normal probationary period.
Ability to communicate effectively and follow written and/or oral instructions.
Demonstrated competency in basic mathematics.
Ability to operate all medical equipment necessary to perform job duties.
Ability to lift, turn, position, move, and restrain patients as required.

Nice To Haves

Heart Saver Certification.
Demonstrated competency in EKG testing or venipuncture procedure.

Responsibilities

Participate as a member of the nursing care team in implementing patients’ plans of care.
Promote improved customer relations with patients and their families.
Recommend improvements to patient care and to maintaining a safe, cost-effective health-care environment.
Assist the nurse with patients’ activities of daily living.
Communicate and document patient status and pertinent data.
Assist nurses and other health-care team members with procedures, exams, tests, treatments, and clerical duties required by the unit.
Keep patient and non-patient care units neat and orderly; strip and prepare rooms for admissions; maintain stock on procedure and supply carts; and keep equipment clean and properly stored.
Transport or accompany patients to other departments as directed.
Perform post-mortem care and transport bodies to the morgue.
Use appropriate isolation techniques and follow safety, waste-disposal, and infection-control procedures.
Follow Medical Center policies and procedures that support quality assurance in patient-care services.
Participate in continuing education programs and surveys, and attend staff meetings as directed.
Access medication delivery and/or medication areas when authorized and required.
Perform related duties as required.