Patient Care Associate

Position Summary 

Under the direction of a registered/licensed nurse (RN), the Patient Care Associate (PCA), as a member of the interdisciplinary health care team, assists in clinical support functions to promote a safe, compassionate patient care environment. 

Responsibilities 

• Assists with meeting direct patient care needs 

• Consistently foster a healing environment with respect and kindness, demonstrating respect for all individuals with sensitivity to cultural diversity. 

• Contributes to the plan of care through ongoing communication with the RN 

• Assists with patient data and specimen collection 

• Assists with equipment preparation and set up  

• Completes hourly patient care rounds, anticipating patient needs proactively 

• Maintains patient and family privacy and confidentiality 

• Responds to patient and family requests, including answering patient call lights promptly 

• Seeks registered nurse assistance to meet patient/family needs when necessary.  

• Communicates respectfully with all members of the interdisciplinary team 

• Monitors patient and environment for safety concerns and immediately reports changes to RN/licensed nurse 

• Maintains a safe and clean patient care environment 

Follows Infection Prevention Practices:  

• Demonstrate proper hand washing 100% of the time.  

• Utilizes two patient identifiers for appropriate patient identification before all specimen collections 

• Follows Safe Patient Handling principles to maintain safety for both patients and staff 

• Documents aspects of care on approved forms or electronic medical record 

• Participates as a member of the Interdisciplinary team to meet patient/family and unit/department needs 

• Proactively assists others 

• Performs delegated responsibilities and demonstrates a willingness to adapt to changing unit demands 

•  Provides care appropriate to the age group of patients on assigned unit(s) as described in the relevant unit profiles 

• Completes annual required training  

• Updates knowledge through periodic in-services 

• Other duties as assigned 

• Assists with activities of daily living (i.e., personal hygiene/grooming, bathing/showering, toileting, dressing, and functionality/mobility) 

• Sets up food trays and assists patients with meals as indicated 

• Performs preventative skincare  

• Assists patients with positioning, turning, mobilization, ambulation, and passive and active range of motion per plan of care 

• Applies/removes pneumatic sequential compression sleeves 

• Adheres to standard precautions 

• Adheres to hand hygiene guidelines 

• Assists with the admission/discharge process 

• Provides safe patient transportation 

• Orients patients and families/visitors to surroundings 

• Ensures safekeeping of patient valuables, including packing and storing 

• Checks patients for ID bands and notifies nurse if replacement is needed 

Patient Data and Specimen Collection: 

• Utilizes two (2) patient identifiers for proper patient identification before all specimen collections 

• Obtains and records vital signs, pulse oximetry, and non-invasive B/P and immediately report changes to RN/licensed nurse. 

• Performs blood glucose testing  

Equipment: 

• Retrieves equipment from other areas 

• Cleans equipment between patient use 

Follows equipment management protocols on the assigned unit for patient benefit: 

• Cardiac monitors 

• Portable oxygen cylinder 

• Nasal cannula/face mask 

• Pulse oximeter and probe 

• Suction canister-liner system 

• Patient lifting equipment 

• Scales: Standing/Chair/Wheelchair 

• Provides a Safe and Comfortable Patient/Family experience 

• Adheres to service excellence standards during care provision with the respectful, courteous, culturally sensitive care  

• Responds to call lights promptly and prioritizes call light response appropriately 

• Participates in hourly rounding per unit protocol 

• Provides constant observation for patients at risk for injury in person or virtually 

• Reapplies soft restraints/roll belt per unit protocol 

• Uses principles of Safe Patient Handling 

Documentation on Approved Forms and in Medical Records: 

• Records intake of fluids and food 

• Records height and weight 

• Records output of urine, stool, vomitus, and drain output 

• Records vital signs, pulse oximetry, and non-invasive BPs 

• Records blood glucose results 

Qualifications: 

Years of Experience: Six months experience as a Nursing Assistant or a Nursing Student currently enrolled in a formal program who has completed at least one clinical rotation or is presently enrolled in, and completes, the NWH Patient Care Associate Training Program 

Education:  

• High school graduate or equivalent 

• Certification as a Nursing Assistant preferred 

Language Skills: Proficient in English, both verbally and written 

Requirements: 

• Successful completion of the literacy exam with a score of 80% or better (PCA Training Program candidates only) 

• CPR training required 

• Knowledge of the English language sufficient to read, speak, and write accurately  

• Knowledge of simple arithmetic 

• Ability to lift and transport patients safely using the appropriate physical technique for the patient and self, according to Safe Patient Handling Guidelines. 

• Ability to master basic computer skills 

• Excellent interpersonal skills to interact effectively with patients, visitors, and hospital personnel 

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