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. Essential Functions

• Assists with meeting direct patient care needs
• Consistently fosters 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
• Supports a Culture of Safety by providing a safe and comfortable patient / family experience where risks are reduced and / or eliminated, by performing the following :

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 in a timely manner

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

Communicates in a respectful manner 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 :

• Proper hand washing demonstrated 100% of the time.
• Utilizes two patient identifiers for proper patient identification prior to 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 provides assistance to others
• Performs delegated responsibilities and demonstrates willingness to adapt to changing unit demands
• Provides care appropriate to age group of patients on assigned unit(s) as described in the relevant unit profiles
• In collaboration with the Nursing Manager / Director and Clinical Nurse Specialist / Nursing Practice Specialist / Nursing Professional Development Specialist, identifies and meets learning needs, including :

Completes annual required training

Updates knowledge through periodic in-services

• Other duties as assigned Direct Patient Care :
• Assists with activities of daily living (i.e. personal hygiene / grooming, bathing / showering, toileting, dressing, and functionality / mobility)
• Sets up food trays and assist patients with meals as indicated
• Assists patients with positioning, turning, mobilization, ambulation, 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 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 2 patient identifiers for proper patient identification prior to all specimen collections
• Obtains and records vital signs, pulse oximetry and non-invasive B / P and immediately reports 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 assigned unit for patient use :

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 respectful, courteous, culturally sensitive care
• Responds to call lights in a timely manner 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 Record :
• 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 noninvasive BPs
• Records blood glucose results Job Knowledge and Skills :
• Successful completion of the literacy exam with a score of 80% or better (PCA Training Program candidates only)
• CPR training required
• Knowledge of English language sufficient to read, speak, and write accurately
• Knowledge of simple arithmetic
• Ability to lift and transport patients using the appropriate physical technique in a safe manner 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 Education :
• High school graduate or equivalent Experience :
• Six months experience as a Nursing Assistant or is a Nursing Student currently enrolled in a formal program who has successfully completed at least one clinical rotation or is currently enrolled in, and successfully completes, the NWH Patient Care Associate Training Program Licenses, Certifications and / or Registrations (if applicable) :
• Certification as a Nursing Assistant preferred

Last updated : 2024-05-31