Patient Care Associate: E4, 36hr/wk, Day

Albany Medical Center•Albany, NY

9d•$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 assists with assigned patient needs while supporting progress toward discharge and 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 use, stocking, and storage of patient-care supplies. The PCA helps maintain a clean, orderly, and safe care environment and may serve as an activity companion for patients requiring 1:1 observation. The role includes collecting and reporting patient information, contributing to care planning and nursing reports, supporting patient and family participation and communication, providing personal and restorative care, applying infection-control practices, sharing information about patient progress with the RN, and documenting care in the patient record. The position is listed for the Medical/Surgical Hospitalist - E4 department, with a day shift and a schedule of 36 hours per week.

Requirements

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

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 RN and patient care team.
Participate in care planning and the nursing report process.
Incorporate patient and family rights to participate in decisions about care.
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 restorative care, including ambulation, range-of-motion activities, and use of assistive and prosthetic devices.
Promote a clean, orderly, and safe environment.
Demonstrate standard and transmission-based precautions and infection-control techniques.
Provide the RN with details about patient progress toward goals and outcomes.
Document all care in the patient record.
Perform point-of-care testing, including whole blood glucose, and trained technical procedures such as blood draws and electrocardiography.
Collaborate with Materials Coordinators regarding the use, stocking, and storage of supplies.
May provide activity-companion services for patients requiring 1:1 observation.