Patient Care Nursing Assistant - Med/Surg

Cleveland Clinic•Akron, OH

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Nursing Assistant (PCNA) works on Cleveland Clinic Akron General’s 16-bed 3100 Unit, a cardiac telemetry and medical-surgical unit. The unit cares for patients with extensive activities-of-daily-living needs and a range of conditions and treatments, including high fall risk, pneumonia, failure to thrive, weakness, confusion, sepsis, PEG care, central lines, multiple antibiotic therapies, blood transfusions, IV push medications, limited cardiac drips, tracheostomies, and chest pain testing and monitoring. Some patients transfer from the MICU or SICU, and the unit occasionally receives neuro overflow patients. The PCNA provides hands-on care and frequent attention to help patients feel comfortable, supported, and safe during treatment. The role involves assisting with routine and treatment-related care, responding to patient needs, documenting care, and helping maintain a safe, orderly unit. The position offers opportunities to learn medical technologies and develop skills that may be used in advanced positions or other Cleveland Clinic departments. The caregiver works days, either 7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. or 7:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m., and is scheduled every other weekend and three holidays per year. Caregivers follow standard precautions and use personal protective equipment as required. New hires must comply with the health system’s influenza prevention program, including annual vaccination or an approved exemption. Offers of employment are followed by controlled-substance testing.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association or American Red Cross upon hire or within the new-hire period.
Prior job or educational experience providing basic computer knowledge and skills.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including full-body movement to move and lift patients, manual finger dexterity with good eye-hand coordination, and extensive standing and walking.
Ability to perform medium work: exerting 20–50 pounds occasionally, 10–25 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.

Nice To Haves

State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA).
One year of recent acute-care experience, or military experience as a Hospital Corpsman (HM), Combat Medic (68W), or Medical Service Technician (4N0X1).

Responsibilities

Prepare units, patient rooms, and beds for admissions, returning surgical patients, transfers, and emergencies.
Provide and document assigned care, including bathing, changing or refreshing bed linens, dressing and undressing, and back rubs.
Measure and document patients’ temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, pulse oximetry, weight, and height.
Perform assigned procedures, including venous blood draws, enemas, applying ice or heat packs and non-sterile compresses, skin preparation, setting up oxygen equipment, obtaining bed-scale weights, setting up overhead trapeze and Buck’s traction, and removing urinary Foley catheters.
Prepare patients for meals, assist with feeding as needed, and distribute water and other nourishment according to patient needs and physician orders.
Assist with pre-operative and post-operative care, including turning and positioning patients using proper body mechanics, applying or using special equipment, and safely ambulating patients as directed.
Assist and accompany patients during admission, transfer, and discharge.
Perform hourly safety rounds, anticipate patient needs, and promptly respond to call lights.
Collect, properly label, and transport specimens to the appropriate area.
Help keep patient rooms orderly, report malfunctioning equipment, clean equipment as assigned, complete mandatory inventory, and distribute unit linens and supplies.
Document patient care in the electronic medical record.
Complete ongoing competency requirements, education programs, and mandatory training to maintain certification or licensure.
Follow standard precautions and use personal protective equipment as required.