Patient Care Assistant - Neuro Specialty Surgery (5E), Part Time, Nights

About UC Health

UC Health is an integrated academic health system serving Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. In partnership with the University of Cincinnati, UC Health combines clinical expertise and compassion with research and teaching—a combination that provides patients with options for even the most complex situations. Members of UC Health include UC Medical Center, West Chester Hospital, University of Cincinnati Physicians and UC Health Ambulatory Services (with more than 900 board-certified clinicians and surgeons), Lindner Center of HOPE and several specialized institutes including UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute and the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center. Many UC Health locations have received national recognition for outstanding quality and patient satisfaction.

About the Role

The Patient Care Assistant provides basic direct patient care as delegated by clinical professional personnel in accordance with delegation law and rules and current education. The PCA maintains an orderly, clean, and safe environment for patients and visitors.

Location: Cincinnati, OH, United States

Qualifications

• Minimum Required: High School Diploma or GED
• 0-6 Months of experience required; Preferred: 1-2 Years equivalent experience
• One of the following criteria is required:
  • State Tested Nursing Aide Training
  • Acute Medical Surgical Training or Hospital Specific Training
  • Student from an accredited RN program that has successfully completed a medical surgical rotation or another acute care rotation
• If candidates do not meet the initial two requirements, they must successfully complete the UC Health competency training for PCAs and additional orientation before being permitted to care for patients

Skills and Knowledge

• Trained and maintains proficiency in AHA CPR and patient care skills
• Completes unit-specific hospital safety education

Responsibilities

Patient Population (Clinical Only)

• Engages in population-appropriate communication
• Has knowledge of growth and development milestones and tasks
• Gives clear instructions to patients/family regarding treatment
• Involves family/guardian in the assessment, initial treatment, and continuing care of the patient
• Identifies any physical limitations of the patient and deploys intervention when necessary
• Recognizes and responds appropriately to patients/families with behavioral health problems
• Interprets population-related data and plans care appropriately
• Identifies and responds appropriately to different needs resulting from unique psychological needs or those associated with religious/cultural norms
• Performs treatments, administers medication, or operates equipment safely
• Recognizes and responds to signs/symptoms of abuse or neglect

Patient Care

• Provides all patient care in a manner that is culturally-based and age-specific
• Measures vital signs, records observation of skin integrity, intake & output, height & weight (bedside or w/c scale); reports all changes including mental status
• Specimen collection: routine urine, clean catch urine, 24-hour urine, collection of self-expectorant sputum
• Assists with activities of daily living (ADLs), skin care, tube and catheter care, turning, positioning, transfer and ambulating, range of motion (ROM), hot and cold compresses
• Provides hygiene and comfort measures including bathing/showering, pericare
• Changes linens as needed
• Empties drainage bags and records outputs, disposes of bodily fluids/waste
• Utilizes patient care equipment such as manual/hydraulic/electronic lift/Hoyer lift/bed scale
• Removes and reapplies splints, braces, cervical collars, skin and skeletal traction, anti-embolic stockings
• Performs post-mortem care
• Distributes and removes food trays, sets up meal trays, positions and prepares patient for meals, assists and/or feeds patient, assists with menu selection, records calorie counts, provides snacks and fluids, monitors head of bed (HOB) with patients receiving tube feedings
• Assists with turning, coughing, and deep breathing; provides follow-up to incentive spirometry; reapplies O2 cannula/mask, provides portable oxygen tank for transport
• May perform EKGs, mobile care phlebotomy (MCP), and blood glucose testing

Communication

• Communicates patient observations to RN timely and appropriately
• Orients patients and visitors to room and unit and updates the white boards appropriately
• Records measurements and patient data
• Documents treatments and procedures performed
• Responds to and utilizes nurse call system
• Performs reception and phone duties, as directed
• Retrieves information from the computer

Environment

• Facilitates the maintenance of a clean, safe, and organized environment for patients and coworkers
• Removes equipment when no longer in use to appropriate area for cleaning
• Re-orders and stocks materials as necessary
• Reports maintenance issues

Teamwork

• Participates in patient admission, transfer, and discharge
• Demonstrates helpfulness, cooperation, and respect for team members in pursuit of unprecedented patient care
• Performs other duties as delegated

Safety Measures

• Ensures call lights are within reach of patients
• Answers call lights promptly
• Ensures placement of patient identification bands
• Ensures that side rails and restraints are applied for patient safety and per policy
• Uses proper body mechanics and universal precautions