Patient Care Assistant/PCA - Pulmonary Unit 6SE

Our Pulmonary Unit is 36-bed telemetry unit directed towards diagnosing and treating a wide range of patients with respiratory disorders. We value the delivery of high-quality, specialized care for patients and their families suffering from a variety of lung diseases or injuries. This unit takes pride in the collaborative relationships with departments such as respiratory therapy, physical therapy, care management and pharmacy. This specialty requires a foundation of knowledge in general medicine as well as expertise in respiratory skills. 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.

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. 

1. Receive RN report at start of shift
2. Walking rounds and shift report with off going PCA to ensure patients clean and dry/ rooms clean
3. Apply cardiac monitoring; Change all cardiac monitor batteries at 7am (on designated units?)
4. Document patient bedside rounds q2h (odd hours)
5. Conduct 4 P’s on every round: Pain, Position, Potty, Perimeter
6. Document patient vital signs q4h (or as ordered)
7. Daily Glucometer QC (Night shift)
8. Bathe patients daily (change for pts with central lines)
9. Replace EKG pads (cardiac monitor) daily with baths
10. Daily linen change
11. Assist patient with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) - ie. brushing/mouth care, feeding patient, assisting with toileting, etc.)
12. Obtain blood sugars on all diabetic patients and document
13. Stock isolation caddies in halls and rooms are stocked for next shift
14. Keep patient rooms clean and free from clutter (empty urinals, commodes, food, clutter, etc)
15. Empty trash from assigned rooms as needed and prior to change of shift
16. Answer call lights in a timely manner
17. Initiate or continue pressure ulcer bundle (consult with RN for Braden scores)
18. Turn/Reposition patients every 2 hours in bed or chair
19. Initiate or continue Fall Prevention protocol (see Unit Secretary for Morse Scores)
20. Weigh all patients on admission and every Wednesday at 5am (unless patient is a daily weight) standing scale preferred***
21. Prepare rooms for admission (admission bucket-bath basin, soap, kleenex, water pitcher, etc.)
22. Update patient whiteboards Daily.
23. Daily bath on night shift – DIALYSIS / Pre-Procedural patients
24. Fresh Ice given at 1700/0500 for start of next shift
25. Vital sign machines wiped down and stocked for next shift
26. Assists in orientation of new staff
27. Other duties as assigned
28. Measure and Record Intake/Output
29. Accurately documents care provided according to policies and procedures.
30. 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.
31. Participates in cost saving utilization of supplies

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 Behavioral Standards 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.

High School diploma or equivalent preferred. Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English. American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider required within 30 days of employment in Patient Safety Companion role. Previous patient care experience preferred. Must have basic computer skills to support the use of electronic medical record, e- mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet. Reliable transportation to support assignment between two facilities.

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
• Must be able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.
• Physical presence onsite is essential.