Job Details
Under the direction of a registered/licensed nurse (RN), the Patient Care Associate (PCA) as a member of the interdisciplinary health care team assists in clinical support functions to promote a safe, compassionate patient care environment.
Essential Functions
* Assists with meeting direct patient care needs
* Consistently fosters a healing environment with respect and kindness demonstrating respect for all individuals with sensitivity to cultural diversity
* Contributes to the plan of care through ongoing communication with the RN
* Assists with patient data and specimen collection
* Assists with equipment preparation and set up
* Supports a Culture of Safety by providing a safe and comfortable patient/family experience where risks are reduced and/or eliminated, by performing the following:
* Completes hourly patient care rounds, anticipating patient needs proactively
* Maintains patient and family privacy and confidentiality
* Responds to patient and family requests, including answering patient call lights in a timely manner
* Seeks registered nurse assistance to meet patient/family needs when necessary.
* Communicates in a respectful manner with all members of the interdisciplinary team
* Monitors patient and environment for safety concerns and immediately reports changes to RN/licensed nurse
* Maintains a safe and clean patient care environment
* Follows Infection Prevention Practices:
* Proper hand washing demonstrated 100% of the time.
* Utilizes two patient identifiers for proper patient identification prior to all specimen collections
* Follows Safe Patient Handling principles to maintain safety for both patients and staff
* Documents aspects of care on approved forms or electronic medical record
* Participates as a member of the Interdisciplinary team to meet patient/family and unit/department needs
* Proactively provides assistance to others
* Performs delegated responsibilities and demonstrates willingness to adapt to changing unit demands
* Provides care appropriate to age group of patients on assigned unit(s) as described in the relevant unit profiles
* In collaboration with the Nursing Manager/Director and Clinical Nurse Specialist/Nursing Practice Specialist/Nursing Professional Development Specialist, identifies and meets learning needs, including:
* Completes annual required training
* Updates knowledge through periodic in-services
* Other duties as assigned
Direct Patient Care:
* Assists with activities of daily living (i.e. personal hygiene/grooming, bathing/showering, toileting, dressing, and functionality/mobility)
* Sets up food trays and assist patients with meals as indicated
* Performs preventative skin care
* Assists patients with positioning, turning, mobilization, ambulation, passive and active range of motion per plan of care
* Applies/removes pneumatic sequential compression sleeves
* Adheres to standard precautions
* Adheres to hand hygiene guidelines
* Assists with admission/discharge process
* Provides safe patient transportation
* Orients patients and families/visitors to surroundings
* Ensures safekeeping of patient valuables including packing and storing
* Checks patients for ID bands, and notifies nurse if replacement is needed
Patient Data and Specimen Collection:
* Utilizes 2 patient identifiers for proper patient identification prior to all specimen collections
* Obtains and records vital signs, pulse oximetry and non-invasive B/P and immediately reports changes to RN/licensed nurse
* Performs blood glucose testing
Equipment:
* Retrieves equipment from other areas
* Cleans equipment between patient use
* Follows equipment management protocols on assigned unit for patient use:
* Cardiac monitors
* Portable oxygen cylinder
* Nasal cannula/face mask
* Pulse oximeter and probe
* Suction canister-liner system
* Patient lifting equipment
* Scales: Standing/Chair/Wheelchair
* Provides a Safe and Comfortable Patient/Family experience
* Adheres to service excellence standards during care provision with respectful, courteous, culturally sensitive care
* Responds to call lights in a timely manner and prioritizes call light response appropriately
* Participates in hourly rounding per unit protocol
* Provides constant observation for patients at risk for injury in person or virtually
* Reapplies soft restraints/roll belt per unit protocol
* Uses principles of Safe Patient Handling
Documentation on Approved Forms and in Medical Record:
* Records intake of fluids and food
* Records height and weight
* Records output of urine, stool, vomitus, and drain output
* Records vital signs, pulse oximetry and noninvasive BPs
* Records blood glucose results
Job Knowledge and Skills:
* Successful completion of the literacy exam with a score of 80% or better (PCA Training Program candidates only)
* CPR training required
* Knowledge of English language sufficient to read, speak, and write accurately
* Knowledge of simple arithmetic
* Ability to lift and transport patients using the appropriate physical technique in a safe manner for the patient and self, according to Safe Patient Handling Guidelines
* Ability to master basic computer skills
* Excellent interpersonal skills to interact effectively with patients, visitors and hospital personnel
Education:
* High school graduate or equivalent
Experience:
* Six months experience as a Nursing Assistant or is a Nursing Student currently enrolled in a formal program who has successfully completed at least one clinical rotation or is currently enrolled in, and successfully completes, the NWH Patient Care Associate Training Program
Licenses, Certifications and/or Registrations (if applicable):
* Certification as a Nursing Assistant preferred