DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital is DMC’s largest hospital, offering a comprehensive heart center, cancer care, gerontology, emergency medicine, obstetrics/gynecology and cosmetic services. Sinai-Grace’s joint replacement program features a revolutionary minimally invasive knee and hip replacement surgery that attracts patients from all over the country. Sinai-Grace operates more than 21 outpatient care sites and ambulatory surgery centers throughout Wayne and Oakland Counties and is one of 10 hospitals in the nation to be awarded a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant to help set the standards of cardiac care for hospitals and physicians throughout the nation.

Summary Description

NOTE: Refer to task addenda specific to PCS and OR, attached.

The Patient Care Associate (PCA) is a member of the patient care services team with primary responsibilities for technical, multi-skilled direct and indirect patient care activities. The PCA is assigned to work under the supervision of a registered nurse who delegates tasks based upon patient needs and PCA skills and abilities. The PCA will report all deviations from expected patient parameters to the registered nurse.

1. Collaborates and cooperates with care team members to ensure consistency and quality of care and promotes productive employee relations among staff members. Demonstrates an understanding of and commitment to the philosophy and objective of continuous improvement, team work and the mission, vision and values of the DMC.

2. Performs a variety of basic patient care activities under the direction of a registered nurse. Reports changes in patient medical and/or emotional condition to the registered nurse. Assists nursing personnel in responding to various emergency patient situations.

3. Assists patient in activities of daily living by feeding, bathing, toileting and other personal hygiene regimes.

4. Follows all departmental policies, procedures and objectives; continuous improvement initiatives; safety environmental and infection control standards.

7. Demonstrates sensitivity to patient comfort and privacy and expresses interest in patient progress. Answers questions from patients and their families and explains procedures and processes within the scope of their training/abilities. Maintains confidentiality.

8. As required by unit needs, performs general clerical duties which may include, but are not limited to, answering telephones and call lights, greeting patients and visitors.

9. Enhances personal growth through participation in workshops, educational programs, in-service meetings and reviewing current literature. Shares joint accountability (with the institution) for maintaining competencies.

10. Performs other tasks as assigned (see task list).

Minimum Qualifications

1. High school diploma or GED.

2. Graduation from a school of practical nursing ...OR...

3. Completion of one of the following:

a. A Certified PCA/PCT Program

b. A Certified Nurse Assistant Program or equivalent training.

c. A Medical Assistant Program.

d. An EMT program.

e. A phlebotomy training program.

With six (6) months direct patient care experience, preferred.

Skills Required

1. Good analytical and observational problem-solving skills.

2. Mathematical ability to perform calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division etc.

3. Ability to adapt to new technologies used in the work environment.

4. A high level of interpersonal and verbal skill and team work commitment in order to effectively function as a team member in support of all services delivered on the patient unit and to effectively communicate with patients, their families and other hospital personnel to address customer needs.

5. Good reading, writing and comprehension skills in order to understand, effectively communicate and contribute to procedures, processes, orders, methods and standards.

6. Physical ability to regularly (80-90%25 of work time) walk and stand; lift soiled linens and move equipment as necessary; assist patients in repositioning, bed to stretcher transferring, basic activities of daily living and maintenance locomotion requiring lifting (very heavy 60+ pounds), bending, pulling, pushing, standing and walking.

7. Visual acuity and manual dexterity.

8. Ability to perform routine clerical functions such as answering telephones, taking messages and basic retrieval of computer information.

9. Demonstrates willingness to make a meaningful contribution to the work environment as evidenced through behavior and attitude.