PCA Specialist - Infusion Center

Houston Methodist•Nassau Bay, TX

53d•Onsite

About The Position

At Houston Methodist, the Patient Care Assistant (PCA) Specialist position is responsible for functioning as an expert and demonstrates highly competent knowledge necessary to communicate appropriately and carry out delegated nursing assistant level tasks for assigned patient populations, for providing high quality support of patient care and services. This position exercises sound judgement and executes proficient clinical skills necessary for assisting with patient-care procedures. The PCA Specialist position performs basic patient care activities of daily living (ADL's) within unit specific defined limits and job scope, such as assistance with patient elimination, hygiene, comfort, safety, nutrition, and progress activity and practices Patient and Family Centered Care. Other duties for this position include independently and expertly performing the duties and responsibilities of preceptor and clinical resource to PCAs, training and orienting others.

Requirements

High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)
Three years acute care hospital or post-acute care experience or two years Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)/Paramedic experience or Graduate Nurse (GN) who will be retaking the NCLEX for RN licensure
BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA)
Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
Performs basic patient care activities of daily living (ADL's) within unit specific defined limits and job scope, such as assistance with patient elimination, hygiene, comfort, safety, nutrition, and progress activity
Demonstrates independence and exercises judgment in interactions with physicians, interprofessional care team, patients, and their families
Displays strong time management skills
Adapts to multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision including but not limited to organizing workflows and actively participating in problem-solving
Demonstrates ability to access information both in the department and within the hospital system to support the department and interprofessional health care team, as appropriate
Possesses competent computer knowledge. Operates multiple computer systems including electronic health records, i.e., Epic, and Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, & Excel) to maintain patient information

Responsibilities

Promotes a positive work environment that actively assists interprofessional care team to achieve optimal department results.
Collaborates with all members of the interprofessional health care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner.
Independently executes the duties and responsibilities of preceptor, serves as a clinical resource in the department, using advanced skills and competencies, guiding and mentoring colleagues through processes to provide optimal patient care.
Initiates contributions towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e., peer-to-peer accountability.
Role models the patient and family-centered care standards and provides direct patient care under the direction of a registered nurse.
Assists with maintaining, cleaning, and stocking of equipment and supplies as established on assigned unit.
Role models behaviors and skills, through peer-to-peer accountability, towards improving department score for patient satisfaction, i.e., bedside shift handoff/report.
Reports observations, conditions and problems of patients to licensed personnel to achieve desired patient outcomes.
Provides appropriate hand-off at change of shift at patient bedside to communicate and collaborate, promoting patient-centered care.
Conducts hourly rounding to ensure patient needs are met (four P's).
Offers innovative solutions in performance improvement projects and shared governance activities. impacting quality and safety target, through peer-to-peer accountability, reporting near misses, and collaborating with the interprofessional team.
Assists with patient and staffing needs (floats) across the service line or hospital as competencies allow.
Utilizes resources with cost effectiveness and value creation in mind.
Develops skills of team members and continually assists with improving skills, performance and outcomes.
Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs and takes appropriate action.