Patient Care Associate Nights - SICU PPMC

Penn Medicine is dedicated to our tripartite mission of providing the highest level of care to patients, conducting innovative research, and educating future leaders in the field of medicine. Working for this leading academic medical center means collaboration with top clinical, technical and business professionals across all disciplines.

About the role

The Patient Care Associate works with and under the direct supervision of a registered nurse with whom s/he is regularly teamed to deliver optimal patient care through the use of the nursing process.

The Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) provides highly specialized care to critically ill adult patients requiring advanced monitoring and complex medical and surgical interventions. The SICU team cares for a diverse population of post-operative and critically ill patients with a broad range of disease processes and acuity levels. Patient populations served include trauma, neuromedical, neurosurgical, general surgical, thoracic, and multiple surgical subspecialties, including orthopedics, urology, otolaryngology (ENT), and gynecology (GYN).

The SICU is a fast-paced, high-acuity environment that requires advanced critical care knowledge, exceptional clinical judgment, and effective collaboration within an interdisciplinary team. Staff are expected to provide evidence-based care while managing rapidly changing patient conditions and complex treatment plans to optimize patient outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Performs selected procedures or assists with treatments and procedures as skills checklist according to Presbyterian Medical Center’s policy and procedure as delegated by the nurse.
• Integrates cost-effective measures into nursing practice.
• Maintains and utilizes unit supplies in cost-effective manner.
• Collaborates with the registered nurse to plan, implement, and evaluate the plan of care.
• Documents observations and care rendered on the patient record in a timely and accurate manner (flow sheets, admission sheet).
• Maintains confidentiality in regard to patient care information and chart contents.
• Demonstrates respect for the patient’s Bill of Rights.
• Assists patients in the proper handling of valuable and personal belongings.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the PI program on the unit and adheres to all quality assessment and improvement standards.
• Performs glucose monitoring quality control.
• Maintains a clean and safe environment in patient care areas to include patient rooms, utility rooms, kitchen, hallways, and nursing stations.
• Adheres to safety/falls policy.
• Records vital signs.
• Records I & O.
• Respects each patient’s/customer’s personal dignity, right to privacy, and confidentiality.
• Provides individualized, planned, and appropriate care/service in settings that support the patient’s/customer’s care, treatment, rehabilitation goals, and/or specific needs.
• Actions demonstrate an understanding of appropriate safety and infection control techniques and hospital policy.
• Welcomes and orients patients and families using Presbyterian Medical Center’s standards of guest relations so as to maximize patient satisfaction.
• Reports to the nurse when needing further direction regarding patient care assignment.
• Initiates and maintains open communication with team and nurse manager.
• Works in cooperative manner with team.
• Identifies learning needs and seeks assistance in skill development.

Requirements

• AHA Basic Cardiac Life Support (Required)
• H.S. Diploma/GED (Required)
• CNA certification or nursing student who has successfully completed a clinical rotation in their nursing program.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits program that includes one of the finest prepaid tuition assistance programs in the region.

Our employee benefits programs help our employees get healthy and stay healthy.