Patient Care Associate

Overview:

Our teammates are energetic, friendly, and proactive in helping VPNE build its brand – all while working at the world’s most prestigious healthcare institutions.

Are you a dedicated professional who thrives in a fun, fast-paced, team-oriented environment? Are you interested in joining a community of teammates who are spirited, driven, and diverse?

If so, you belong at VPNE. We are a recognized leader in healthcare, looking for people like you to help deliver world-class care and help our clients’ hospitals perform at the highest levels.

Apply today to jump-start your future as a Patient Care Associate!

Responsibilities:

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.

• 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
• Performs preventative skin care
• 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

Qualifications:

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

#aloha350