Patient Care Associate: D5E (Neuroscience), 36 hrs/week, Days

Albany Medical Center•Albany, NY

1d•$19 - $23

About The Position

The Patient Care Assistant (PCA) works under the direction of a Registered Nurse and assists the caregiving team in providing competent, compassionate care to assigned patients. During assigned work periods, the PCA collects patient data, provides personal care, performs point-of-care testing such as whole-blood glucose testing, turns, positions, and mobilizes patients, and supports care needs with attention to 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 availability, stocking, and storage of 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 may involve access to sensitive information, including HIPAA-protected health information. Access and disclosure must be limited to the minimum necessary for assigned duties, and information must be protected against unauthorized access or modification in accordance with Albany Med Health System policies and applicable requirements.

Requirements

High school diploma, G.E.D., or equivalent.
Basic knowledge of medical terminology at medium proficiency.
Ability to communicate cooperatively and effectively with patients, family members, employees, and others.
Honesty, punctuality, and adherence to high standards of ethical conduct as 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 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.
Recognize 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 basic restorative care, including ambulation, range-of-motion activities, and use of assistive or prosthetic devices.
Promote a clean, orderly, and safe environment.
Follow standard and transmission-based precautions and infection-control techniques.
Communicate details about patient progress toward goals and outcomes to the RN.
Document all care in the patient record.
Perform point-of-care testing, such as whole-blood glucose testing, and trained procedures such as blood draws and electrocardiography.
Collaborate with Materials Coordinators to support the use, stocking, and storage of supplies.
Provide activity-companion service for patients requiring 1:1 observation when asked.