Patient Care Assistant- NICU- 36 hrs

About the role

Under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse as part of an inpatient/hospital unit, performs a variety of routine direct patient care, environmental and administrative support activities to promote the health, safety and comfort of patients and families.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct patient care (as defined by unit) that addresses the population-specific needs of the patients on the unit.
• Activities may include any of the following:
• assist patient with feedings and personal care (e.g. hygiene, ambulating and activities of daily living, etc.);
• obtain vital signs, temperature, weight, height, head circumference or other patient data as required;
• obtain and test specimens (e.g. blood glucose, urine, etc.);
• transport patients;
• assist with patient admissions and discharges.
• Demonstrates an awareness of safety needs and a basic knowledge of medical terminology, infection control, risk management and environment of care policies in all interactions with patients/families.
• Responds with tact and discretion to the needs of patients and families, and reports needs beyond the PCA skill level to the RN.
• Documentation - Accurately documents patient information on appropriate forms.
• Demonstrates basic data entry and data retrieval competency in electronic patient records and/or patient supply systems utilized on unit.
• Unit Support Activities - Maintains appropriate inventories of unit supplies in patient rooms/bedside stands; and in treatment, utility, medication and linen rooms.
• Cleans, maintains and inventories unit equipment. May perform quality control checks on equipment or supplies as directed by the RN.
• Utilizes all equipment appropriately, and notifies appropriate person of equipment or facility breakdown or damage.
• Assist with miscellaneous errands, and transportation of medication (including controlled substances), blood, equipment and supplies, as directed by the RN.
• Afford assistance with routine clerical tasks.

Qualifications

• Education and/or Experience Required: High School diploma, GED equivalent, current enrollment in an accredited ASN or BSN degree program for registered nurses, or higher level of education that would require a High School diploma.
• Experience Preferred: Successful completion or enrollment in a Certified Nurse’s Aide training program, completion of a Medical Assistant program, or EMT certification strongly preferred.
• Minimum of one year pediatric PCA experience preferred.
• Licenses and/or Certifications Required: BLS/CPR, American Heart Association, required within 2 weeks of hire and must remain current at all times. Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) certification by State of Connecticut preferred. Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training certification required within 3 months of hire and maintained thereafter.