Patient Care Associate - Med/Surg

About the Organization

Since 1875, South Brooklyn Health has established its reputation for clinical excellence and culturally competent care. It holds designations as a Certified Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) Center, an Advanced Primary Stroke Center, an accredited Baby-Friendly Hospital, and a U.S. News & World Report high-performing hospital. The hospital's staff is as diverse as the patients they serve, with interpreter services available 24/7 in over 130 languages. At NYC Health + Hospitals, the mission is to deliver high-quality healthcare services without exception. Every employee embodies the ICARE values: Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence through empathic communication and partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Checks vital signs, weighs, and measures patients, and records findings on patient’s chart.
• Instructs patients on obtaining specimens for laboratory testing and performs basic specimen screening (dipstick and hemoccult).
• Prepares collected specimens for pick-up by labeling and completing required forms.
• Performs vision and hearing testing and simple urinalysis.
• Administers emergency first aid, including basic life support procedures.
• Provides simple first aid such as dressing changes, bandaging, wound cleansing, and ear irrigation.
• Prepares patients for examinations and assists medical providers by supplying necessary equipment.
• Cleans and disinfects examination rooms, instruments, and equipment.
• Informs patients on proper preparation for medical testing.
• Interviews patients to obtain routine personal, medical, and health history information.
• Maintains, completes, processes, and files patient charts, forms, and documents.
• Reports patient observations to clinical staff for professional assessment.
• Answers routine patient inquiries in person or via telephone and makes appropriate referrals.
• Provides health information to patients and families regarding services and healthy living.
• Maintains inventory of unit equipment and supplies.
• Works as a team member in care delivery and assists in orienting new employees.
• Directs and escorts patients to other departments or healthcare settings as needed.
• Coordinates scheduling and re-booking of appointments through manual or automated systems and enters patient information into Electronic Medical Records.
• Obtains blood specimens via venipuncture and/or fingerstick testing.
• Operates electrocardiograph (EKG) equipment to record heart muscle electrical activity.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent, approved by a State’s Department of Education or recognized accrediting organization.
• Successful completion of training courses in phlebotomy and electrocardiography (EKG), or a training program that includes these skills (e.g., Phlebotomy Technician, EKG Technician, Patient Care, or Medical Assistant programs).
• Holds or obtains a valid and current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association (AHA).

For assignments in long-term care facilities, New York State Nurse’s Aide certification is required.