Patient Care Assistant / Unit Secretary (PCA/US)

Overview

PERFORMANCE PLANNING

Provides compassionate personal care and support services under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN) that assists the patient in the achievement of physical and emotional comfort and healing. Under the supervision of the RN assist in planning, organizing, implementing, and evaluating the activities occurring in the nursing station by performing clerical and receptionist duties and maintaining the physical environment of the area. Must round on patients and audit various clinical requirements

Responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES / ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Measure and record intake and output
• Measure and record vital signs, O2 Saturation, weight, height
• Positioning patients; lifting and turning patients
• Applying/utilizing special equipment
• Assisting in use of bedpan, urinal or commode
• Ambulating the patient
• Pre-operative and post-operative care
• Application/removal of anti-embolism stocking and SCD devices
• Removal of Foley catheters
• Perineal care; vaginal irrigations (non-sterile); sitz baths
• Non-medicated enemas
• Application of heat and cold
• Care of the incontinent patient
• Skin care to the immobilized patient
• Removal of saline lock
• Emptying of colostomy bags
• Application of appliances for heat and cold
• Performing blood sugars
• Placing patients on cardiac monitors
• Set up of oxygen equipment
• Feeding patients
• Collecting, labeling, and transporting of lab specimens

• Adhering to cardiac monitor responsibilities:
• Observation of cardiac monitoring status on all patients. For breaks and lunch, makes sure that the monitor station is attended by qualified staff. 
• Validates cardiac alarms have been assigned to caregivers at the beginning of each shift.
• Notifies staff of alarms, changes in cardiac rhythm, and when there is a leads off alarm.
• Validates the monitoring status (rhythm present on sector, status of stand-by, etc.) of each patient at least every 2 hours, at change of shift and during hand-off communication for breaks and lunch.  Documents validation on the appropriate form.      
• Performs monitor count each shift to assure all monitors are present, as appropriate for area. 
• Accurately transcribing of orders, assembling, maintaining and disassembling of medical record
• Answering phones, intercoms and communicating messages.
• Rounds each shift on all patients to confirm appropriate placement of care reminders (hard of hearing, fall precautions, etc.)
• Performs timely patient discharge notifications
• Rounds at pre-defined intervals to conduct census verification
• Confirms emergency preparedness by checking emergency telephones daily and content of emergency boxes periodically.

     5. Participates in economical utilization of supplies and ensures that equipment and nursing units are

        maintained in a clean, safe manner.                                                                                              

     6. Applies safety principles when performing care, such as ambulation of patients, transferring patients, assisting with normal range of           motion and positioning.

     7. Assists in performance improvement (PI) activities by serving on PI teams as warranted, assisting

        with PI measures and supporting and implementing changes necessary for improvement.    

     8. Demonstrates working knowledge of order entry process and transcription of physician orders.

     9. Maintains well organized, well-supplied, clean nursing unit.

    10.Maintains statistics/logs as required by the unit Manager/Director.

DCH Standards: 

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Must adhere to the DCH Mission, Vision, and Values including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.
• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

High school diploma or GED required.  Minimum of 6 months of patient care experience (PCA -Patient Care Assistant, patient care training as RN/LPN student, certified nursing assistant - CNA) required.  Must have basic mathematics and computer skills to support clinical care, the use of electronic medical record, e-mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet. Prior secretarial experience preferred. Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.

WORKING CONDITIONS

WORK CONTEXT

• Communicate with different personalities and engage in face to face discussion
• Dealing with unpleasant or physically aggressive personalities
• Must be able to deal with conflict
• Must be able to communicate clearly and accurately
• Must be able to receive delegation
• Must be able to work in groups
• Must be able to perform structured and unstructured work
• Must be meet time pressure and time lines
• Must be able to perform in exact and accurate manner
• Must be able to use electronic mail, telephone and texting
• Includes possible exposure to human body fluids, disease, infection, lab chemicals and hazardous materials and/or cleaning solutions
• Requires wearing of common protective and safety equipment such as gloves, safety glasses, mask, gowns, etc.

PHYSICAL FACTORS

• Medium work. Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Must be able to tolerate prolonged periods of standing and walking.
• Must be able to reach reasonable distances in any direction.
• Must be able to stand, walk, kneel, bend, sit, stoop and lift.
• Must be able to run in an emergency.
• Must be able to move fingers in a coordinated manner and must be able to feel and perceive temperature, texture, shape and size with fingertips.
• Must be able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.
• Must possess stamina to work 12-hour shift.
• Physical presence onsite is essential.