Patient Care Associate

Montefiore Nyack Hospital•Village of Nyack, NY

15h•$24 - $25

About The Position

The Patient Care Associate (PCA) performs assigned patient-care tasks under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, following RN delegation and hospital policies and procedures. The role includes clinical responsibilities, documentation, and support of the Patient Bill of Rights. In certain assignments, after establishing competence, a PCA III also performs Monitor Technician duties. The PCA provides direct care such as taking vital signs, helping patients with daily activities, hygiene, nutrition, mobility, positioning, transfers, and ambulation. The role also involves collecting and documenting observations and measurements, monitoring intake and output, obtaining specimens, performing venipuncture, EKGs and finger-stick blood glucose tests, and reporting relevant findings to the RN. The PCA follows hospital safety, environmental, risk-management, and infection-control policies and helps maintain a clean and safe environment. The position also emphasizes respectful, confidential, responsive, and effective communication with patients, families, visitors, and colleagues; customer service; teamwork; professional appearance; participation in improvement activities and competency assessments; responsible use of equipment and supplies; and assistance with PCA orientation as assigned. Other duties may be assigned within the classification.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Less than one year of previous health care experience required.
Full command of the English language.
Sufficient physical ability and perceptive acuity to perform patient-care functions.
PCA I: Complete PCA orientation and the Skills Competency Checklist satisfactorily within the first three months of employment; EKG, phlebotomy, and blood glucose monitor skills are specified.
PCA II: Satisfactory performance appraisal and one year of experience as a PCA at Montefiore Nyack Hospital.
PCA III: Meet one of the stated alternatives: national certification in phlebotomy, attendance at a preceptor training course, or completion of a dysrhythmia course; alternatively, a PCA assigned to TCU must have NYS CNA certification.
PCA IV: Two years of experience as a PCA at Montefiore Nyack Hospital, an above-average performance appraisal (2.35+), and precepting at least two PCAs after attending a preceptor training course.
BLS Certification from the American Heart Association required within 30 days.

Nice To Haves

Certified Nurse’s Assistant, Certified Patient Care Technician, or currently enrolled in a nursing program.
Demonstrated experience and competence in phlebotomy and EKG.
Monitor Technician experience, when applicable to the area of assignment.

Responsibilities

Perform direct nursing tasks, including taking vital signs and assisting with activities of daily living and personal hygiene.
Collect data, chart observations and activities, document measurements and nutritional and fluid intake and output, and report pertinent changes in patient condition to the Registered Nurse.
Assist patients with nutrition, including setting up food trays, feeding when needed, and refilling water and ice.
Assist patients with mobility, turning, positioning, transfers to and from wheelchairs, and ambulation.
Perform venipuncture, obtain specified laboratory specimens, perform EKGs and report computer results to the RN, and perform and document finger-stick blood glucose testing and report results to the RN.
Follow hospital safety, environment-of-care, risk-management, and infection-control policies and help maintain a clean, safe environment.
Perform delegated or specialized functions for which educationally prepared; handle patient medications only for transport and retrieval purposes.
Maintain patient dignity and confidentiality, act as a patient advocate, communicate positively with people of different cultures, values, and beliefs, address customer concerns, and escort customers when necessary.
Participate in department- and hospital-wide process or outcome improvement activities, maintain self-development and knowledge, meet licensure or certification requirements, and participate in annual competency assessment.
Use equipment and supplies fiscally prudently and use the charge process for supplies and equipment.
Complete assigned projects within expected time frames, participate in committees and task forces when requested, perform other duties within classification, and assist with orientation of new PCAs.
Participate in activities supporting the hospital mission and uphold the hospital’s teamwork, empowerment, communication, appearance, responsiveness, and service standards.