Patient Care Associate (PCA) - Progressive Care Unit (PCU) - Lorain Hospital

Mercy Health BSMH • Lorain, OH

51d • Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Associate provides direct patient care in the Progressive Care Unit under the guidance of a Registered Nurse or designated health care professional, following applicable regulations and Bon Secours Mercy Health policies and procedures. The role supports patient comfort, safety, hygiene, mobility, and independence, and communicates patient concerns or changes to the nurse. Associates document care accurately, share pertinent information during handoffs, and perform delegated duties after competency validation. Care is tailored to patients’ interests, needs, and developmental stage. The position is a full-time, 36-scheduled-hours-per-week role at Lorain Hospital, working 7 p.m. to 7:30 a.m., every other weekend and holiday.

Requirements

• Complete one of the following: a nursing aide training program; STNA state testing (required if OH LTC); CNA certification; nurse’s aide state testing; a nursing program including one clinical nursing course and one clinical rotation; one year of relevant clinical-setting experience; or a PCA/PCT training program within six months of hire.
• BLS Basic Life Support certification is preferred upon hire or must be obtained from an approved source before providing direct patient care.
• Clearly communicate with and follow directions from members of the healthcare team.
• Understand patient and healthcare safety standards, including fall prevention, skin breakdown, suicide prevention, and environment-of-care practices.
• Understand infection prevention and transmission-based precautions.
• Understand clerical duties and office-based technology.
• Collect and document patient data, including vital signs, intake/output, and changes in condition.
• Provide basic hygiene and activities-of-daily-living care, feeding, hydration, and nutrition support, bowel and bladder care, ambulation, and mobility assistance.
• Use clinical technology and demonstrate accountability for assigned tasks.
• Escalate concerns through the chain of command; demonstrate problem-solving, interpersonal, and communication skills; engage professionally with staff and patients; and work proactively in a rapidly changing environment.

Nice To Haves

• Recent experience in acute care, a physician’s office, home health or hospice, or a long-term care facility; experience in the setting applied to is preferred.
• EPIC Electronic Health Record experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide basic patient care, including comfort, vital signs, personal care, hygiene, and unit-based specialty duties.
• Assist with patient mobility using therapeutic transfer techniques that promote safety and independence.
• Report patient changes or concerns to the nurse and serve as a liaison between patients and nurses.
• Provide customer service to patients, families, visitors, and employees.
• Document patient care accurately, precisely, and promptly when applicable.
• Participate in handoffs and report pertinent patient and departmental needs when arriving and leaving.
• Perform delegated tasks after competency has been validated.
• Encourage patients to complete tasks as independently as possible and provide individualized care based on patient interests and hobbies.
• Use professional verbal and written communication.
• Provide care appropriate to the ages and developmental needs of patients on the assigned unit.
• Follow infection-control policies, use universal precautions and personal protective equipment, and observe relevant patient-safety practices.

Benefits

• Competitive pay, incentives, referral bonuses, and a 403(b) with employer contributions when eligible.
• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage; HSA/FSA options; life insurance; mental health resources; and discounts.
• Paid time off, parental and FMLA leave, short- and long-term disability, and backup care for children and elders.
• Tuition assistance, professional development, and continuing education support.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed