The posting
Position Summary
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.
Responsibilities
Assists with meeting direct patient care needs
Consistently foster 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
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 promptly
Seeks registered nurse assistance to meet patient/family needs when necessary.
Communicates respectfully 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:
Demonstrate proper hand washing 100% of the time.
Utilizes two patient identifiers for appropriate patient identification before 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 assists others
Performs delegated responsibilities and demonstrates a willingness to adapt to changing unit demands
Provides care appropriate to the age group of patients on assigned unit(s) as described in the relevant unit profiles
Completes annual required training
Updates knowledge through periodic in-services
Other duties as assigned
Assists with activities of daily living (i.e., personal hygiene/grooming, bathing/showering, toileting, dressing, and functionality/mobility)
Sets up food trays and assists patients with meals as indicated
Performs preventative skincare
Assists patients with positioning, turning, mobilization, ambulation, and 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 the 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 two (2) patient identifiers for proper patient identification before all specimen collections
Obtains and records vital signs, pulse oximetry, and non-invasive B/P and immediately report 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 the assigned unit for patient benefit:
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 the respectful, courteous, culturally sensitive care
Responds to call lights promptly 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 Records:
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 non-invasive BPs
Records blood glucose results
Qualifications:
Years of Experience: Six months experience as a Nursing Assistant or a Nursing Student currently enrolled in a formal program who has completed at least one clinical rotation or is presently enrolled in, and completes, the NWH Patient Care Associate Training Program
Education:
High school graduate or equivalent
Certification as a Nursing Assistant preferred
Language Skills: Proficient in English, both verbally and written
Requirements:
Successful completion of the literacy exam with a score of 80% or better (PCA Training Program candidates only)
CPR training required
Knowledge of the English language sufficient to read, speak, and write accurately
Knowledge of simple arithmetic
Ability to lift and transport patients safely using the appropriate physical technique 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
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