Patient Care Assistant - PRN

Primary Purpose

Performs specified patient care activities under the direction of a Registered Nurse and is committed to the provision of patient centered/patient valued care.

Education

Must have completed or hold one of the following:

• A formal nurse aide course
• A current certified nurse aide registry
• A medical assistant course
• A current medical assistant certificate
• A patient care technician course
• A current patient care technician certificate
• Must be a currently enrolled in an accredited school of professional nursing and must have documentation of basic fundamentals of nursing from the school
• Must be a graduate from an accredited school of nursing
• Parkland's job specific training program

Experience

• None

Certification/Registration/Licensure

• Must have a current Heartsaver CPR course completion card within 90 days of hire and/or placement in job from one of the following: American Heart Association or American Red Cross

Skills or Special Abilities

• Must be able to demonstrate basic patient care skills and skill in the use of supplies and assigned equipment.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with departmental personnel of other departments, nurses, physicians, patients and families.
• Must be able to demonstrate patient centered/patient valued behaviors.

Responsibilities

• Performs specified patient care activities, under the direction of a Registered Nurse, including 1:1 observation (sitter), providing basic hygiene care, unsterile treatments, taking vital signs, and range of motion exercises. Lifts, ambulates, and feeds patient in accordance with the provision of patient centered/patient valued care, while providing optimal care services to patients and their families.
• Serves as a patient advocate by responding to a patient's needs and special requests. Maintains open communication, and honors patient's rights and confidentiality, while providing optimal service to patients and their families.
• Monitors ongoing patient status and responds to a patent's change in condition by notifying and assisting nurses and other health team members in handling patient care needs.
• Makes appropriate notations and records activities performed, such as vital signs, ambulation, feeding outcomes, etc. in accordance with standards established by the nursing unit.
• Maintains, updates, and utilizes knowledge of sanitation, infection control, safety, supplies and equipment usage to optimize customer care and services. Monitors conditions of patient environment and equipment, i.e. wheelchairs, bed rails, scales, floor conditions, and corrects the condition and/or reports the deficiencies or defects for immediate correction as appropriate.
• Escorts patients to other areas, clean designated or special area, provide or request translation services when applicable, perform quality control checks, and deliver patient specimens when applicable in order to provide optimal patient care.
• Identifies ways to improve work processes and procedures or methods. Makes recommendations to supervisor and/or nursing department for appropriate changes to improve effectiveness, productivity, efficiency, and customer satisfaction that support the overall goals of the nursing unit, the hospital and PHHS.
• Takes responsibility for own education and professional growth by attending in-service sessions, department meetings, workshops, and reading magazines or journals on nursing care. Integrates knowledge gained into current work practices.
• Maintains knowledge of applicable rules, regulations, policies, laws and guidelines that impact the patient care area. Develops effective internal controls that promote adherence to applicable state/federal laws, and the program requirements of accreditation agencies and federal, state, and private health plans. Seeks advice and guidance as necessary to ensure proper understanding.

Job Accountabilities

• Identifies ways to improve work processes and improve customer satisfaction. Makes recommendations to supervisor, implements, and monitors results as appropriate in support of the overall goals of the department and Parkland.
• Stays abreast of the latest developments, advancements, and trends in the field by attending seminars/workshops, reading professional journals, actively participating in professional organizations, and/or maintaining certification or licensure. Integrates knowledge gained into current work practices.
• Maintains knowledge of applicable rules, regulations, policies, laws and guidelines that impact the area. Develops effective internal controls designed to promote adherence with applicable laws, accreditation agency requirements, and federal, state, and private health plans. Seeks advice and guidance as needed to ensure proper understanding.