Patient Care Assistant

Patient Care Assistant

Our patient care assistants work with a variety of our patients, including children, adolescents, young adults, and the elderly. Patient care assistants provide or assist with basic care or support under the direction of onsite licensed nursing staff. They perform duties such as monitoring of health status, feeding, bathing, grooming, toileting, or ambulation of patients. Patient care assistants are an essential part of the patient care team providing daily care and emotional support to patients when they need it most. By observing patients carefully, they are the eyes and ears of our clinical staff, making sure our healthcare team has everything they need to assist with the healing journey of our patients and their families.

Responsibilities

Provides compassionate personal care and support services under the supervision of a registered nurse or LPN. Collaborates with nurses, physicians and other healthcare providers to oversee and monitor patients to support healing.

• Receive RN report at start of shift
• Walking rounds and shift report with off going PCA to ensure patients clean and dry / rooms clean
• Apply cardiac monitoring; Change all cardiac monitor batteries at 7am (on designated units?)
• Document patient bedside rounds q2h (odd hours)
• Conduct 4 P's on every round : Pain, Position, Potty, Perimeter
• Document patient vital signs q4h (or as ordered)
• Daily Glucometer QC (Night shift)
• Bathe patients daily (change for pts with central lines)
• Replace EKG pads (cardiac monitor) daily with baths
• Daily linen change
• Assist patient with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) - ie. brushing / mouth care, feeding patient, assisting with toileting, etc.)
• Obtain blood sugars on all diabetic patients and document
• Stock isolation caddies in halls and rooms are stocked for next shift
• Keep patient rooms clean and free from clutter (empty urinals, commodes, food, clutter, etc)
• Empty trash from assigned rooms as needed and prior to change of shift
• Answer call lights in a timely manner
• Initiate or continue pressure ulcer bundle (consult with RN for Braden scores)
• Turn / Reposition patients every 2 hours in bed or chair
• Initiate or continue Fall Prevention protocol (see Unit Secretary for Morse Scores)
• Weigh all patients on admission and every Wednesday at 5am (unless patient is a daily weight) standing scale preferred
• Prepare rooms for admission (admission bucket-bath basin, soap, kleenex, water pitcher, etc.)
• Update patient whiteboards Daily.
• Daily bath on night shift DIALYSIS / Pre-Procedural patients
• Fresh Ice given at 1700 / 0500 for start of next shift
• Vital sign machines wiped down and stocked for next shift
• Assists in orientation of new staff
• Other duties as assigned
• Measure and Record Intake / Output
• Accurately documents care provided according to policies and procedures.
• Applies safety principles when performing care such as ambulation of patients, transferring patients, assisting with normal range of motion, and positioning, and fall prevention techniques.
• Participates in cost saving utilization of supplies

DCH Standards :

Qualifications

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, Experience Required :

Working Conditions

Physical : Physical presence onsite is essential. Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected within normal range. Able to perform duties with or without reasonable accommodation. Ability to tolerate prolonged periods of standing and walking. Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds with frequent lifting and / or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds. Is able to push stretcher / wheelchair with average adult patient. Is able to do frequent stooping and on occasion crouching, crawling or kneeling. Ability to reach reasonable distances in any direction. Ability to run in emergency situations. Must be able to move fingers in a coordinated manner. Must have ability to feel and perceive temperature, texture, shape and size with fingertips.

Environmental : Includes exposure to human body fluids, disease, infection, lab chemicals and hazard materials and / or cleaning solutions. Requires wearing common protective or safety equipment.

Psychological : Includes receiving delegation, working with team members, addressing conflict, and communicating with all types of personalities.