Patient Care Associate (PCA) for Endoscopy Team
We are hiring a Patient Care Associate (PCA) to join our Endoscopy team!
The Patient Care Associate (PCA) is responsible for patient related clerical activities, unit clerical duties, computerized order entry procedures, and other unit activities, as applicable. The PCA must be able to provide and understand the specific communication needs of patients, families, and visitors. Under the direction of a Registered Nurse, the PCA provides focused non-licensed clinical care for patients throughout the age continuum including phlebotomy, basic nursing skills, etc., and environmental assistance to facilitate quality service and improve patient outcomes. The PCA will document and communicate with team members in a timely manner the patient progress, needs and problems. Collaborates with Leadership in developing and implementing the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare Systems, Mission, and Goals.
Minimum Requirements
- High School Graduate or equivalent
- 17-year-olds that will obtain a High School Diploma or GED within six months
Preferred Experience
Hospital experienceGraduate NurseCertificate from an approved multi-skilled technician programCompletion of 1st semester of Nursing ClinicalsPreferred License / Registration / Certifications
Phlebotomy CertificateCNABLSCore Job Responsibilities
Successfully completes hospital and unit-based orientation programsSuccessfully completes annual hospital and unit-based required competencies and educationAdapts to changing patient and unit needs including but not limited to offering assistance to other team members, floating throughout the perioperative areas, adjusting assignments, etc.Adheres to dress code, safety and policy / procedure requirements, and infection prevention standard precautions.Adheres to proper chain of command and reports risk management concerns to appropriate personAnswers the telephone and / or Vocera in a courteous manner.Any additional appropriately delegated tasked assigned by Nursing Management, Charge Nurse or Staff NurseAssist with CPR if needed per BLS protocolAssists patients with activities of daily living in a safe, timely and courteous manner.Assists with the emptying of drains and Foley cathetersAssures comfort and safety of patients and directs questions to the appropriate person.Attends in-service training programs and other relevant courses for professional development.Attends to the immediate needs of the perioperative nursing within the perioperative department as delegated.Cleans and sanitizes work areas and equipment rooms.Conforms to hospital standards of performance and conduct, including those pertaining to patient rights, so that the best possible customer service and patient care is provided.Demonstrates knowledge and competency to respond to fires within the Perioperative environment and remains knowledgeable of general fire rules and location of alarms and extinguishers.Demonstrates knowledge of appropriate infection prevention strategies to prevent surgical site infectionsDemonstrates knowledge of standard and transmission-based precautions to reduce the risk of cross-contamination by using appropriate disinfectant according to pathogen present in the environment.Disposes of contaminated materials in accordance with hospital procedures and protocolsDocuments written and verbal communication, which is timely and effective, communicates changes in patient status, actual and potential needs of patient / families / visitors to registered nurse.Enters computer documentation of delegated nursing care into electronic medical recordEstablish and maintain good interpersonal relationships with patient / family and other hospital personnel.Rounds on patientsIdentifies and transports patients to and from nursing units, treatment / testing areas, and / or operating rooms; maintains patient's privacy, safety and dignity while performing these duties.Identifies areas for improvement and seeks ways to work on self-defined weaknessesInitiates clean-up of biological spills according to procedure and hospital policy.Is consistently punctual and shows a responsible and dependable pattern of attendance and adherence to hours of work requirements.Knowledgeable in use of and response to Code Alert / Facility Alerts and responds promptly to O.R. overhead and Vocera pages and emergency situationsMonitors, collects and documents data, as instructedParticipates in resolution of concerns or problems and supports patient experience initiativesParticipates in staff meetings, department / unit initiatives, quality improvement projects and cost containment activities as needed.Perform additional Special Procedures such as : applies, removes and records as directed non-sterile heat and cold therapy; assists with admissions, discharges, transferring and placing patients; empty drainage devices such as Foley bags, ostomy bags and records and advises nurse of findings; collects as directed and records routine non-sterile specimens such as urine; and takes and records height and weight as directedPerforms delegated nursing care task such as : Assisting with patient shower; providing incontinent care; places call light within reach; keeps side rails up / bed in low position; Anticipates additional patient needs; performs pre-operative skin prep as directedPerforms finger-stick blood sugar (FSBS) as delegated by nursing personalPerforms personal hygiene care with respect to privacy, dignity and needs of the patientPerforms unit activities such as : puts supplies away; keeps refrigerator clean and organized and ensures all contents are within current date of use; Straightening, tidies and organizes clean / dirty utility rooms; performing other activities as assigned.Performs vital signs, weights / heights, intakes and outputs with accuracy and within established time frame and / or as requested.Prioritizes and organizes patient care functions to facilitate transport of equipment, specimens and / or suppliesProvides care relative to the age-specific needs of the patient on the unit by demonstrating knowledge of the principles of growth and developmentRecognizes the importance of hand hygiene and performs appropriate hand hygiene techniquesReplaces all empty gas tanks when needed and appropriately secures tanks to patient beds and / or within proper closets by using correct safety measures.Responsible for checking and restocking warming cabinets with blankets and / or saline as needed.Responsible for demonstrating competency for all new equipment and proceduresResponsible for identifying items to be cleaned and appropriately cleaning & disinfecting these items, especially any and all high touch objectsResponsible for reporting hazards to appropriate persons and initiates corrective action within the scope of her / his role.Supports on time start initiatives. Performs duties efficiently, completely, effectively and in a timely manner.Transports patients on transmission-based precautions utilizing appropriate techniques.Transports, retrieves and delivers equipment, supplies, specimens (including "STAT" specimens), reports, and any other items to and from storage areas and patient care units, as directed by nursing / unit staff and as needed.With proven competency, performs other functions for specialty areas (enemas, placement of monitoring leads, documentation).