Patient Care Associate-MSH-GP9W Medicine-FT-Days-EOW

Mount Sinai Health System•New York, NY

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Associate is an integral member of the clinical care team and provides patient care and support activities that promote patient-focused care within the Specialty Service. The role supports registered nurses with activities of daily living, specimen collection, clinical procedures, and maintaining a safe, clean environment. The associate provides care appropriate to patients’ physical, psychosocial, educational, safety, and other needs, including consideration of age and individual beliefs and diversity. The position also supports unit operations through patient observation and rounding, dietary assistance, patient transport, room and equipment upkeep, communication and record updates, and courteous assistance to patients, families, visitors, and staff. The associate participates in performance improvement and staff development activities and complies with confidentiality, regulatory, licensure, and health assessment requirements.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Certificate of completion of a medical assistant or patient care assistant program, or equivalent, with skills in venipuncture and EKG.
Documentation of Medical Assistant/Patient Care Associate training.
Interpersonal skills to communicate and collaborate effectively with other members of the Specialty Service.
Ability to set priorities, solve problems, exercise proper judgment in difficult situations, and be flexible.
Sufficient oral and written English skills to communicate effectively.
Physical stamina and manual dexterity to perform a variety of tasks and skills in the assigned area.
American Heart Association Heartsaver or BLS Certification.

Nice To Haves

Three to nine months of healthcare experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Perform clinical, technical, service, and administrative tasks, providing care appropriate to the needs and age of patients in the assigned area.
Measure and document vital signs, intake and output, pain ratings where applicable, and other assigned data.
Perform procedures including specimen collection, blood glucose testing, venipuncture, EKGs, application of compression devices, post-mortem care, and maintenance of skin integrity.
Set up for selected procedures and assist registered nurses as directed.
Assist patients with activities of daily living, including feeding, bathing, toileting, ambulation, and mobilization; orient patients to the clinical environment.
Assist with dietary functions, including tray delivery and collection, menu completion, nutritional supplements, reporting changes in eating patterns, and transmitting dietary orders and changes accurately and promptly.
Maintain a safe, clean, and functional environment; assist with room maintenance, bed stripping, trash removal, emergency clean-up, discharge bed making, and reporting facility or equipment problems.
Perform one-to-one or close observation when required for safety, elopement risk, or suicide prevention, and maintain patient isolation status under RN direction and established procedures.
Complete scheduled hourly care checks and rounding, focusing on toileting, comfort, positioning, and pain awareness; notify the RN if rounding is not completed.
Use the Vocera system or Mount Sinai phone according to sign-in/sign-out protocol where activated.
Greet visitors, answer telephones and the Patient Call System courteously, refer calls appropriately, provide information as appropriate, and escort visitors when necessary.
Transport patients, including emergency transport, and transport specimens; deliver flowers and patient trays as needed.
Update communication boards and discharge logs; assemble medical records; and update admission, transfer, and discharge systems and processes.
Maintain supplies and care for equipment; perform other assigned duties, including generating reports.
Respect patients’ individual needs, beliefs, and diversity, and contribute to an environment sensitive to cultural diversity.
Participate in departmental performance improvement activities and maintain patient and employee confidentiality while observing health system compliance policies.
Participate in developing other staff members, identify learning strengths and needs, use learning resources, and meet regulatory, licensure, and annual health assessment requirements.
Communicate professionally, courteously, and respectfully with patients, families, significant others, hospital staff, and the extended community.