Patient Support Associate

Hospital for Special Care•New Britain, CT

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Support Associate provides safe and appropriate non-skilled therapeutic interventions as assigned. The role focuses on supervising patients to ensure safety, transporting patients in preparation for treatment, obtaining and preparing equipment needed for patient care, and maintaining a clean environment. The associate may also perform clerical duties in the staffing office as assigned. The position is located at Hospital for Special Care in the Transitional Rehabilitation Unit and is scheduled for 32 hours per week on the first shift. Employees may be required to float to other patient-care units or departments based on operational and patient-care needs, provided they have the competencies and qualifications required for the assignment. Work is primarily indoors, involves continuous interaction with others, and may take place in noisy, somewhat crowded settings. Task schedules can fluctuate frequently and unpredictably with census and patient-specific needs. The role involves exposure to body fluids, contagious disease, and bloodborne pathogens, with occasional exposure to particles, chemicals, electrical or thermal agents that could cause irritation. The role requires physical stamina and mobility, including assisting with patient transfers and mobility, lifting and carrying objects, pushing and pulling, and frequent position changes. It also requires observation, communication, basic arithmetic, attention, organization, and the ability to follow multistep directions. The wage range is $16.94 to $24.46. Eligible employees may participate in a comprehensive benefits package; eligibility for certain benefits depends on scheduled hours worked.

Requirements

Ability to work independently.
Ability to read, write, and understand directions in English.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
Ability to tolerate up to four hours of consecutive work.
Endurance for up to one and one-half hour periods of constant sitting and one-hour periods of independent mobility.
Ability to safely transfer patients and provide contact guarding or hands-on assistance.
Ability to lift or carry up to 10 pounds continuously, up to 20 pounds frequently, and up to 40 pounds frequently for patient transfers and bed mobility.
Ability to push or pull up to 50 pounds frequently throughout the day for patient transport and mobility activities.
Frequent ability to initiate body positional changes to access equipment from high and low areas and provide treatment interventions.
Functional fine and gross motor skills and upper-extremity sensation.
Intact vision for observing patients’ nonverbal responses and performing skin assessments.
Ability to initiate and interpret communication with patients and others.
Ability to apply previously acquired knowledge, think flexibly, reason, organize, and act in some new or unfamiliar situations.
Selective attention and concentration to complete tasks.
Basic formulation, content, syntax, and spelling to complete tasks; only simple sentence or very short paragraph expression is necessary.
Ability to communicate spontaneously and to receive and convey messages.
Ability to comprehend lengthy messages or paragraphs and follow multistage and three-step commands.
Ability to add and subtract two-digit numbers; multiply and divide tens and hundreds by 2, 3, 4, and 5; and perform basic arithmetic operations.
Ability to work primarily indoors and around and with others continuously.
Ability to adapt to frequent and often unpredictable schedule fluctuations due to census and patient-specific needs.
Ability to work in a noisy and somewhat crowded setting and tolerate the stated workplace exposures.
Required: one year of work experience with a special-needs population.
Required: basic computer knowledge.
Required: CPI or Safety Care.

Nice To Haves

One year of work experience with a special-needs population.
Basic computer knowledge.
CPI or Safety Care.

Responsibilities

Assist with lifting, transporting, turning, guarding, and overall patient handling using proper body mechanics and safety awareness.
Observe patients and provide direct assistance with activities as assigned under the direction of a licensed nurse.
Demonstrate competency in using patient-related equipment as directed.
Observe and report changes in patient condition to appropriate team members.
Provide setup and/or feeding assistance during mealtimes.
Help maintain the orderliness and cleanliness of unit areas.
Document assigned tasks accurately and promptly using appropriate formats.
Order patient equipment and supplies as directed.
Obtain, organize, and clean equipment and supplies as directed.
Monitor available stock and maintain neat, orderly storage of equipment and supplies on the unit as assigned.
Set up and clean treatment areas, including pillows, linens, mats, and treatment tables.
Perform miscellaneous clerical and staffing office duties as needed.
Prioritize tasks to complete assignments and seek supervisory guidance as needed.