Patient Care Associate / 36hr nights - 6 East-(3301188)
Description
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 (. 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
Qualifications
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