Patient Care Assistant

The Patient Care Assistant (PCA), under the direction of the Registered Nurse, will provide clinical and clerical support to the PACU, Pre-op, 23-hour stay, and Surgical Waiting Areas as needed. The PCA performs multiple support functions directed toward positive patient care. All PCAs are responsible to meet patient needs, demonstrate willingness to learn new skills, and foster a harmonious work environment in which high quality patient care and customer service is consistently provided. Team members promote a cooperative working relationship with each other, physicians, other disciplines, and the public by facilitating and enhancing communication, displaying honesty and respect, displaying sensitivity to cultural differences, and expressing and accepting feedback in a professional manner.

Department Description:

The Perianesthesia Care Units at Bayfront Medical Center include the Pre-operative (prep), Post-Anesthesia Care Units (PACU), and the 23-hour stay. The perianesthesia team provides dynamic, compassionate care for a wide variety of surgical patients for adults and adolescents (13 and up) in the ambulatory care setting.

Bayfront Medical Center cares for patients recovering from a wide variety of surgeries and procedures including, but not limited to: general, ophthalmology, GYN, GU, OHNS, robotics and plastic surgery. An interdisciplinary team of patient care assistants, nurses, surgeons, specialty physicians, anesthesiologists and respiratory therapists work to initiate the recovery from surgery.

General Patient Care

• Provides and/or assists patients with personal hygiene such as bathing (tub, bed, shower), mouth care, and elimination needs.

• Changes bed linens as necessary.

• Responds to patients' call lights promptly.

• Provides for patients' comfort and safety; follows prescribed measures such as ambulation, positioning, range of motion exercises, side rails, special beds and restraints.

• Uses principles of proper body mechanics and body alignment when turning, moving and transferring patients and/or equipment.

• Distribute nourishment to patients, checking wristband identification.

• Assists patients with food needs, such as setting up meal trays, cutting food, and/or feeding.

• Communicates problems with food tolerance and concerns/issues related to nutritional needs.

• Assists in admission, discharge, transferring, and transporting of patients, personal belongings and equipment.

• Orient new patients to the unit and routine.

• Organizes and prioritizes patient care tasks and assignments, considering each patient's needs and preferences and overall unit activities.

• Observes psychosocial, cultural, spiritual and physical condition of the patient and report observations to the RN.

• Recognizes situations which necessitate supervision/guidance and seek appropriate resource.

• Relates complete and pertinent information, observations, and nursing care given to patients in verbal and written reports.

• Prepares patient rooms for admissions and/or discharge.

• Meet age specific and developmental needs of patients.

Technical Duties

• Perform selected patient care procedures and other treatments as assigned by the RN.

• Set up simple O2 equipment such as nasal cannula or simple face mask and maintain O2 therapy equipment.

• Arrange for a timely delivery of specimens to the laboratory.

• Empty linen hampers as needed.

• Operate nursing unit equipment (e.g. computer, fax machine, imprinter device, intercom system).

• Complete other unit maintenance activities as assigned.

• May assist with answering telephones and reception when necessary.

• May collect food trays from patient rooms and place on tray carts.

• May maintain inventory of equipment and supplies in utility rooms as assigned.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Follows all department, Medical Center and University policies, procedures and work rules.

• Maintains confidentiality in matters related to patients and/or staff.

• Follows House and Telephone Standards as established by Medical Center.

• Knowledgeable about and adheres to all applicable Medical Center and unit specific infection control, health and safety policies and procedures, including annual safety training.

• Supports the mission, philosophy, and goals of the Medical Center.

• Supports the development of unit/team goals and actively participates in unit staff meetings, in-services, and educational programs as required.

• Contributes to and actively participates in the quality assurance and quality improvement process, per JCAHO and/or other regulatory agencies.

• Maintains a clean, safe, and functional work environment.

• Starts work at scheduled time and completes work on time.

• Follows guidelines on use of sick leave and other paid time off.

• Complies with dress code, including photo identification.

• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High School graduate or equivalent

• Ability to work effectively within a team.

• Ability to satisfactorily perform job duties as defined in the job description.

• Willingness to be taught/learn new skills.

• Ability to understand and communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.

• Ability to perform basic arithmetic computations (addition and subtraction).

• Ability to organize and effectively set priorities.

• Knowledge of medical terminology appropriate to the responsibilities of the job is preferred.

• Ability to carry out duties of first responder in emergency situations.

• Successful completion of Medical Center Patient Care Assistant training.

• Basic computer skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Active American Heart Association CPR Certification

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High School graduate or equivalent

• Ability to work effectively within a team.

• Ability to satisfactorily perform job duties as defined in the job description.

• Willingness to be taught/learn new skills.

• Ability to understand and communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.

• Ability to perform basic arithmetic computations (addition and subtraction).

• Ability to organize and effectively set priorities.

• Knowledge of medical terminology appropriate to the responsibilities of the job is preferred.

• Ability to carry out duties of first responder in emergency situations.

• Successful completion of Medical Center Patient Care Assistant training.

• Basic computer skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Active American Heart Association CPR Certification