Patient Care Associate (PCA) - Psychiatry - PCA25-20342

Location: New York, NY 10003

Schedule:

• Full-time (37.5 hours per week)
• 7.5-hour shifts, 5 days per week
• Shift: 7:00 AM – 3:15 PM
• Weekend and holiday availability required

Job Summary:

The Patient Care Associate (PCA) plays an integral role in a multidisciplinary inpatient psychiatric team, providing direct patient care and support services. The PCA assists with admissions, therapeutic interventions, and daily activities while ensuring patient safety and comfort in accordance with psychiatric care protocols.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist with patient admissions and orientation, including reviewing unit rules, securing valuables, and conducting searches as needed.
• Provide direct patient care, including taking vital signs, assisting with hygiene, performing EKGs, venipuncture, urine testing, and collecting lab samples.
• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning, updating nursing care plans, and implementing therapeutic interventions.
• Lead and co-lead recreational and therapeutic patient activity groups.
• Assist with discharge planning, including arranging transportation and coordinating with family or community resources.
• Escort patients within and outside the medical center for medical tests, court visits, and therapeutic outings as required.
• Intervene in behavioral crises, including physical restraints and patient seclusion/restraint per departmental policy.
• Assist in emergency situations, including initiating CPR and responding to Code 77.
• Maintain proper infection control protocols and ensure a safe patient environment.
• Maintain an assigned patient caseload, providing supportive counseling to patients and their families.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent AND 2 years of full-time experience in:
• Law enforcement
• Nursing or Psychiatric/Behavioral Health
• Working with the mental health population, counseling, or group family dynamics

• Associate’s degree, preferably in mental health or a related field

• Basic Life Support (BLS) – American Heart Association
• Certificate of Medical Assistant Training
• CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) or PMCS (Professional Management of Aggressive Behavior) certification (must be active prior to offer)
• SEL and SCR background checks

Skills & Experience:

Required:

• Venipuncture experience
• EKG proficiency
• Experience working in psychiatric, behavioral health, or law enforcement settings

Preferred:

• Familiarity with Epic electronic medical records (EMR)