Patient Care Assistant (PCA), Step Down, Full-time, Day Shift

Patient Population

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Provides all patient care in a manner that is culturally-based and age-specific.
• Maintains patient vital signs, records observation of skin integrity, intake & output, height & weight (bedside or w/c scale); reports all changes including mental status.
• Collects specimens such as routine urine, clean catch urine, 24-hour urine, collection of self-expectorant sputum.
• Aids in 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 such as 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, provide portable oxygen tank for transport.
• May perform EKG’s, mobile care phlebotomy (MCP), and blood glucose.
• 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.
• Retrieves information from the computer.

Qualifications

• Minimum Required: High School Diploma or GED required.
• LICENSE & CERTIFICATION: None required.
• Minimum Required: Minimum Required: 0-6 Months of experience required.
• Preferred: 1 - 2 Years equivalent experience.

Required Skills And Knowledge

• Trained and maintains proficiency in AHA CPR and patient care skills.
• Completes unit-specific hospital safety education.
• One of the following criteria is required for this role: State Tested Nursing Aide Training; Acute Medical Surgical Training or Hospital Specific Training.
• If candidates do not have either of the initial two requirements, the candidate must successfully complete the UC Health competency training for PCA’s and additional orientation before being permitted to care for patients.