Patient Care Associate (PCA)
About The Position
Provides direct care to an assigned group of patients and shares accountability for quality patient outcomes. The role includes patient-care functions requiring skill and competence, such as phlebotomy, EKGs, obtaining specimens and cultures, activities of daily living, simple wound dressings, and measuring vital signs. The Patient Care Associate supports unit admission and discharge processes, communicates with patients, visitors, families, coworkers, and the healthcare team, and helps maintain a safe, comfortable, and therapeutic environment. The position also performs delegated care procedures and related duties as required.
Requirements
- High school graduation or equivalency diploma required.
- Minimum two years of direct patient-care experience required.
Nice To Haves
- Nursing Assistant Certificate with proficiency in performing EKG and phlebotomy preferred.
Responsibilities
- Assist with the unit's admission and discharge processes.
- Establish good interpersonal relationships with families, visitors, and hospital staff.
- Report vital information to all levels of the healthcare team as needed.
- Convey needed information to patients and visitors.
- Maintain good communication with coworkers to support proper team functioning.
- Communicate pertinent patient observations to members of the healthcare team.
- Provide direct patient care to an assigned group of patients.
- Obtain and document patient vital signs, including temperature, blood pressure, respirations, pulse, weight, and height, using appropriate equipment.
- Inform the Registered Nurse and healthcare team of significant observed changes in a patient's condition.
- Communicate written and verbal information.
- Respond to patient requests and call lights.
- Maintain a safe, comfortable, and therapeutic environment for patients and families in accordance with hospital standards.
- Function as a team member in emergency situations under guidance from supervisory personnel.
- Assist with restrained patients according to established policy.
- Perform grade I and II decubitus care as directed.
- Perform activities of daily living appropriate to the patient's condition.
- Use proper body mechanics, seek assistance, and/or use appropriate equipment when lifting, moving, or transferring patients.
- Perform delegated patient-care procedures.
- Obtain and label specimens and perform certain diagnostic tests in accordance with established procedures, as directed.
- Perform phlebotomy procedures.
- Perform telemetry and electrocardiograms as directed.
- Use clinical knowledge to care for and manage patients based on their diagnoses and assigned unit.
- Perform related duties as required.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Education Level
High school or GED
