Patient Care Assistant II Inpatient

About the role

The Clinical Assistant II, Inpatient is a member of the interdisciplinary health care team at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. This role supports patient comfort, safety, and daily care needs while adhering to established clinical protocols, safety standards, and institutional policies.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care and daily living support
• Delivers basic patient care under the direction of the registered nurse, including assistance with activities of daily living (hygiene, bathing, toileting, dressing, mobility), meal set-up and feeding as indicated, skin care, positioning and turning, ambulation and range of motion, admission and discharge support, safe patient transport, and orientation of patients and families to the care environment.
• Support patient monitoring, data collection, and specimen collection
• Obtains and records patient data such as vital signs, pulse oximetry, non-invasive blood pressure, height, weight, intake and output, blood glucose results, and 12-lead ECGs; performs bladder scanning and specimen collection using two patient identifiers; promptly reports changes in patient status or abnormal findings to the RN/licensed nurse.
• Prepare, use, and maintain equipment and the care environment
• Retrieves, sets up, and cleans patient care equipment (e.g., cardiac monitors, portable oxygen, pulse oximeters, suction systems, lifting equipment, scales) according to unit protocols; maintains a clean, safe, and organized patient care environment; follows equipment management and infection prevention practices, including standard precautions and hand hygiene.
• Promote a safe, healing, and respectful environment
• Safely rounds hourly, responds promptly and appropriately to call lights and patient/family requests, provides constant observation when assigned, uses Safe Patient Handling principles, monitors for and reports safety concerns, and consistently demonstrates respect, kindness, and cultural sensitivity while protecting patient privacy and confidentiality.
• Document care and communicate effectively within the care team
• Accurately documents assigned aspects of care and patient data in approved forms and the electronic medical record; communicates clearly and respectfully with patients, families, and all members of the interdisciplinary team; seeks RN assistance when needed to meet patient/family needs and to escalate concerns.
• Participate as an engaged member of the interdisciplinary team
• Collaborates with nurses and other team members to meet patient, family, and unit needs; proactively offers assistance to others; performs delegated responsibilities within scope and adapts to changing unit demands; provides care appropriate to the age and condition of patients on assigned unit(s).
• Support learning, development, and mentoring
• Participates in ongoing education by identifying learning needs, completing required annual training, and attending in-services; supports orientation and mentoring of new Clinical Assistants to help them meet performance expectations and adhere to unit and institutional standards.

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent
• Experience Required: 2 years of CA, CNA, PCT, MA, EMT or equivalent experience
• Licenses/Certifications/Registrations Required: Certification as a nursing assistant required upon hire, unless incumbent is a nursing student who has completed her/his fundamentals of nursing with a clinical component (clinical rotation or simulation lab). May not currently hold a valid nursing license. Basic Life Support (BLS) or CPR certification by the American Heart Association (AHA) or the Red Cross required upon hire.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of English language sufficient to read, speak and write accurately.
• Knowledge of simple math.
• Ability to lift and transport patients using the appropriate physical technique in a safe manner for the patient and self-according to the safe patient handling guidelines.
• Proficiency in basic computer skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to interact effectively with patients, visitors, and personnel.

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of English language sufficient to read, speak and write accurately.
• Knowledge of simple math.
• Ability to lift and transport patients using the appropriate physical technique in a safe manner for the patient and self-according to the safe patient handling guidelines.
• Proficiency in basic computer skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to interact effectively with patients, visitors, and personnel.

Special Working Conditions

• Exposure to hazardous drugs and biohazards; adherence to personal protective equipment (PPE) and safe handling policies required.
• Walking, standing, and lifting up to 35 lbs.; follows Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) safe patient handling and ergonomics practices.
• May require rotating shifts or extended hours based on operational and patient care needs.