Patient Care Associate - New York& NY - AP 26-13126

Job Title: Patient Care Associate
Location: New York, NY
Job Type: Contract
Duration: 13 weeks
Shift: Night Shift | 7:00 PM – 8:00 AM
Schedule: 3 shifts per week | 13 hours per shift | 39 hours per week | Every other weekend
Local Candidates Required: Yes
Traveler Candidates Required: No

Pay Rate
Local: $24 – $26/hr

Note: This job doesn't offer any benefits.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Patient Care Associate to support an inpatient psychiatric unit by assisting with patient care, therapeutic activities, safety monitoring, and daily living needs.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED with at least 2 years of full-time relevant experience in law enforcement, nursing, psychiatric or behavioral health, mental health services, counseling, or group/family dynamics; or an Associate's degree, preferably in mental health or a related field.

• Minimum 2 years of psychiatric unit experience.

• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA).

• Certificate of Medical Assistant training.

• Current CPI or PMCS certification.

• Completion of SEL and SCR background checks.

• Experience with venipuncture and blood specimen collection.

• Ability to perform EKGs.

• Knowledge of patient care procedures, infection control, and patient safety.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team.

• Ability to support patients experiencing psychiatric or behavioral health challenges.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care as a member of the multidisciplinary inpatient psychiatric team.

• Assist with patient admission, orientation, changing, and familiarization with unit rules and regulations.

• Search patients and secure personal belongings and valuables according to departmental policies.

• Assist with preparing and updating nursing care plans and interdisciplinary treatment plans.

• Support therapeutic interventions and activities established for patients.

• Measure vital signs and collect health-related information, including height and weight.

• Perform simple dressing changes, sputum, blood and urine collection, urine testing, venipuncture, and EKGs.

• Assist patients with personal hygiene and daily living activities, including feeding, bathing, shaving, and dressing.

• Provide practical support with transportation, obtaining clothing, check cashing, and other patient needs.

• Lead or co-lead recreational and therapeutic patient activity groups.

• Assist with discharge planning, transportation arrangements, and communication with family members or other relevant parties.

• Escort patients within and outside the medical center for tests, treatment programs, court-related appointments, and approved recreational activities.

• Assist with physical restraints involving violent or aggressive patients in accordance with established protocols.

• Support the care of patients in seclusion or restraints according to departmental policies.

• Initiate CPR when necessary and assist the nursing team with the Code 77 protocol.

• Follow infection-control procedures and maintain a safe patient care environment.

• Manage an assigned patient caseload and provide ongoing supportive counseling to patients and their families.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Special Requirements

• Minimum 2 years of psychiatric unit experience is mandatory.

• Night shifts and every-other-weekend coverage are required.

• Travelers are not accepted.