Patient Care Assistant

Job Summary

The Patient Care Assistant (PCA), under the direction of a licensed care giver, and after education and demonstration of competency, performs a variety of clinical and non-clinical tasks specific to the unit/needs of the patient population. S/He maintains competency skills including the ability to provide care to special patient populations and patients with diverse cultural backgrounds. S/He can identify safety concerns in the age-related population, report finding to registered nurse, institute additional measures to provide a safe environment, and identify developmental milestones in the age-related population. 

Job Responsibilities

Identifies physical, emotional, and social needs of patients and reports findings to the registered nurse. 

Participates in the implementation of patient care and contributes to the plan under the supervision of the registered nurse. 

Assists with the collection of lab specimens.  

Present for the safety and comfort of patients, families, and significant others.  

Reduces the risk of health care acquired infection by complying with current standard precaution guidelines and isolation policy. 

Communicates patient’s needs to nurses and doctors as appropriate.  

Prepares patients for procedures as directed by the registered nurse or physician and prepares patient rooms and stretchers as necessary and required. 

Provides therapeutic communication, re-direction, reality orientation, effective motivation of patients to participate in activities and adequate observations to assure safety.  

Takes responsibility for reporting problems and/or patient complaints. 

Provides patient safety and comfort by utilizing resources and materials to safely transport patients using age-appropriate methods and equipment, answer patients’ requests, and report observations of the patient to charge nurse or RN. 

Ensures environmental cleanliness in patient rooms and patient care areas. 

Accompanies patients for any tests/procedures if necessary. 

Assists patients with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) if required. 

Assists patient mobilization and out of stretcher activities if required. 

Participates in all initiatives that assist in reducing the risk of patient harm by following safety precautions.