PCA II, PRN

About the role

Under the supervision of on-duty, licensed personnel (i.e., Registered Nurse, Licensed Vocational Nurse, or Providers), the Patient Care Assistant may perform a variety of functions in support and care of patients requiring urgent or emergency care.

Responsibilities

• Welcomes and greets all patients in person and/or over the phone; answers the phone while maintaining a polite, consistent manner and practicing proper telephone etiquette.
• Protects patient confidentiality and ensures that Protected Health Information is secured by not leaving PHI in plain sight and logging off the computer before leaving it unattended; does not share passwords or personal information with coworkers.
• Assists in keeping Premier ER clean and organized; cleans and disinfects equipment, instruments, and supplies as needed.
• Attends staff meetings as scheduled; maintains own knowledge/skills and attends appropriate training for role responsibilities; assumes responsibility for coordination of educational activities, as appropriate.
• Assists in facility and system Quality-Assurance activities; displays professionalism, tact, respect, and team effort when working with coworkers and the public.
• Refers patient complaints to appropriate designated personnel as needed.
• Assists with placing patients in rooms after registration; assists with patient transport within the facility or to their car upon discharge.
• Acts as a sitter for psychiatric patients in crisis (suicidal ideation, homicidal ideation) when needed.
• Receives supplies into the facility; unpacks and properly stores items in a timely manner.
• Performs tasks and/or assists with procedures that are within his or her knowledge base, competency, and as permitted by the policies and procedures of Premier ER.
• Transports specimens to partner labs as needed; works collaboratively with other disciplines to provide well-coordinated patient care.
• Maintains awareness of and adheres to current policies and procedures set forth by Premier as well as other regulatory guidelines dictated by entities including but not limited to The Texas Department of State Health Services and COLA’s laboratory accreditation program.
• Adheres to established laboratory procedures and follows established safety guidelines for working in the laboratory; processes specimens, reports results, and files paperwork according to written Laboratory procedures.
• Assists with resuscitation efforts such as performing chest compressions, assisting with retrieval of needed supplies, and/or performing other tasks per Premier’s Policies and Procedures and according to the Patient Care Assistant’s documented training and competence assessment.
• Initiates intravenous access and/or performs phlebotomy; collects specimens such as blood and urine and performs laboratory tests as ordered on the specimens.
• Obtains patient’s weight and vital signs; acquires 12 Lead EKGs and places patients on continuous cardiac and/or pulse oximetry monitoring, non-invasive blood pressure monitoring systems as directed and/or ordered by the provider (interpretation of the information collected is the responsibility of the appropriate licensed care provider).
• Assists with application of orthopedic splints and dressings; measures and fits crutches and instructs patients on proper crutch use.
• Assists with wound care and with patient transport within the facility and/or positioning of the patients.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Current BLS Certification or obtained within first 14 days of employment.
• ACLS & PALS must be current or obtained within 12 months of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two years’ experience in an urgent care, emergency department, or similar healthcare setting.
• OR enrolled in an accredited registered nursing program with completion of one clinical rotation.
• OR certified Paramedic or Intermediate EMT.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills

• Knowledge and understanding of daily assignments, unit activities, and basic computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel programs and Premier software applications.
• Effective and accurate verbal and written communication.
• Flexibility in changing assignments, workloads, and learning of new skills.
• Ability to comprehend and communicate instructions, multitask, be detail oriented, and organized.
• General knowledge of safety and infection control.
• Some minimal travel may be required between sites of operations.
• Completion of Premier venous access training and competency upon hire.

Physical Demands

• Duties involve frequent standing, walking, bending, lifting up to 50 pounds, and assisting with patient movement.