Patient Care Aide

Overview

Position Title:
Patient Care Aide

Department:
Nursing

Reports To:
Director(s) of Nursing

FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt

Job Summary:

Patient care aides (PCAs) under the supervision of the supervising RN and primary care nurse (RN/LVN) will assist in providing quality basic care to patients. Patient care duties may include completing vital signs, intake/output, distributing trays, feeding patients, collecting intake/output, interdepartmental transports, and transferring patients.

• High School Diploma or G.E.D. certificate, or equivalent
• BLS certificate required within 60 days of hire
• On-site job training with nurse educator/nursing administration
• One-on-One orientation with precepting nurse, Certified Nursing Assistant or experienced PCA
• Medical Assistant, EMT, CNA experience preferred
• Work in a healthcare environment for at least 60 days, preferred experience in hospital setting

• Good Verbal and written communication skills for regular contact with employees, patients and patient’s families
• Positive interpersonal skills
• Basic math and computer skills
• Good organizational skills
• Knowledge of basic medical terminology/anatomy
• Ability to work with others in a flexible, cooperative manner.
• Demonstrates the basic knowledge and skills necessary to provide age-specific care to patients served
• Working knowledge of established safety topics (e.g. Infection Control, Electrical safety, Disaster) as required by organizational standards

• Provide basic patient care, such as personal hygiene assistance to patients including grooming, oral care, bathing, incontinent care, and toileting.
• PCA after completing on-site training and competencies will be competent to document and take patients vital signs and report abnormal vital signs to primary care nurse.
• Collecting and documentation of intake/output records of patients
• Documentation of vital signs, intake/output and basic care completed with patients.
• Immediately notifies supervising RN or primary nurse of any abnormal/unusual findings of patient conditions, problems, or data.
• PCA will be performing all job responsibilities in accordance with infection control procedures.
• Maintains the comfort, privacy, and dignity of patients in the delivery of services to them. Interacts with patients in a manner that displays warmth and promotes a caring environment.
• Provide emotional support when warranted.
• Assists with set up and/or feeding of patients when appropriate.
• Lifts, moves, and transports patients, using proper body mechanics or lifting devices for accident prevention.
• Use correct body mechanics when performing duties.
• Prepares and maintains patient care area/rooms and ensures they are clean and orderly.
• Removes and stores extra equipment in a timely manner.
• Knowledge of type of isolation rooms. How to correctly DON and DOFF PPE.
• Maintain HIPAA compliance.
• Use interpreter services to communicate effectively with patients.
• Maintain fall precautions and awareness of fall risk patients.
• Ambulating patients in accordance with their limitations. Assisting patients with active or passive range of motion.
• Escorting patients out of facility upon discharge.

• Use of multi-line phone system, computer, and knowledge of Microsoft office suite preferred.
• Proficiency in electronic documentation system must be obtained and return demonstration to the Lead.
• Assisting in bookkeeping/filing duties

Employees are responsible for all aspects of the hospital safety and health program including compliance with safety rules and regulations, remedying unsafe working conditions, and for continuously practicing safety while performing duties. Sonoma Specialty Hospital policy prohibits employees with patient contact or those who prepare products for patient use from wearing artificial nails.

• Stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, and stand for sustained period of time.
• Walk, push, pull, lift, carry objects from a lower to higher position or horizontally from position to position or otherwise move objects.
• Feel sizes, shapes, temperatures, and textures by touching with skin, particularly that of the fingertips.
• Express or exchange ideas orally and potentially loudly, accurately, or quickly.
• Perceive the nature of sound with no less than a 40 db loss @ 1000 Hz and 2000 Hz with or without correction.
• Exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently.
• Minimum standard of visual acuity with or without correction.
• While worker may possibly be subjected to temperature changes, the worker is generally not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions as the work is predominantly inside.

Supervisory Requirements (if applicable): None

Able to adapt to sudden changes and willing to care for all types of patients regardless of age, ethnic background, religion, sexual preference, educational or economic status. Able to adapt to specific shift routine, i.e., sleep/wake…