Patient Care Associate (PRN)-Pelham Medical Center

About the Role

The Patient Care Associate (PCA) is responsible for patient-related clerical activities, unit clerical duties, computerized order entry procedures, and other unit activities. The PCA must provide and understand the specific communication needs of patients, families, and visitors. Under the direction of a Registered Nurse, the PCA delivers focused non-licensed clinical care for patients across all age groups, including phlebotomy, basic nursing skills, and environmental assistance to improve patient outcomes. The PCA documents and communicates patient progress, needs, and problems to team members in a timely manner and collaborates with leadership to support the healthcare system's mission and goals.

Responsibilities

• Basic computer skills
• Assists patients with activities of daily living in a safe, timely, and courteous manner
• Performs personal hygiene care with respect to privacy, dignity, and patient needs, including:
  • Bathing (shower/bed bath)
  • Personal hygiene (incontinent care, mouth care, nail care)
  • Bed making and care of dentures
  • Hair care and back rubs
• Ensures patient safety by keeping call lights within reach, side rails up, and bed in low position
• Anticipates patient needs and prepares patients for meals, delivers and collects meal trays, assists with feedings, and provides fresh water and nourishments
• Performs vital signs, weights/heights, intakes and outputs accurately and within established time frames
• Documents written and verbal communication effectively; communicates changes in patient status, needs, and concerns to the registered nurse
• Provides age-specific care by demonstrating knowledge of growth and development principles
• Knowledgeable in the use of and response to Code Alert/Facility Alerts
• Identifies areas for improvement and works on self-defined weaknesses
• Commits to unit, department, and division goals
• Attends continuing education classes for professional improvement
• Reports risk management concerns to the appropriate person
• Adheres to the proper chain of command
• Conducts hourly rounds and participates in bedside shift reports
• Manages unit activities, including:
  • Organizing and restocking supplies
  • Maintaining clean and organized refrigerators, ensuring all contents are within date
  • Straightening, tidying, and organizing clean/dirty utility rooms
• Performs special procedures as directed, including:
  • Applies, removes, and records non-sterile heat and cold therapy
  • Assists with admissions, discharges, transfers, and patient placement
  • Empties drainage devices (Foley bags, ostomy bags) and oral/NG suction catheters
  • Records and advises nurse of findings
  • Collects and records routine non-sterile specimens (urine, feces, sputum)
  • Performs and records peri and Foley catheter care
  • Measures and records PO intake and output
  • Takes and records height and weight
  • Assists with turning, positioning, coughing, and deep breathing exercises
  • With proven competency, performs other functions for specialty areas (e.g., enemas, placement of monitoring leads, documentation)
• Performs other duties as assigned

Requirements

Minimum Requirements

• Education: High School Graduate or equivalent

Preferred Requirements

• Hospital experience
• Graduate Nurse or completion of 1st semester of Nursing Clinicals
• Certificate from an approved multi-skilled technician program
• Phlebotomy Certificate
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification