Patient Care Associate (PCA)

Summary:

• Evening Shift: 3pm-11:15pm
• Location: CPEP

Responsibilities:

• Function as a member of a multidisciplinary team providing services to patients admitted to the inpatient psychiatry service.
• Participate in patient admission and orientation to the inpatient unit.
• Assist patients with changing, searching, securing valuables, and reviewing unit rules and regulations.
• Prepare and update the Nursing Care Plan and Interdisciplinary Treatment Team Plan.
• Assist with therapeutic interventions to implement established plans.
• Perform selected direct care duties including therapeutic intervention, taking vital signs, dressing changes, specimen collection, urine testing, personal hygiene, and EKGs.
• Provide concrete services such as transportation and obtaining clothes.
• Lead and co-lead various patient activity groups, both recreational and therapeutic.
• Assist with the preparation and implementation of discharge plans.
• Act as patient escort both on and off the Medical Center.
• Intervene with physical restraints for violent/aggressive patients and assist with care in seclusion/restraint.
• Initiate CPR when necessary and assist the nursing team with the Code 77 protocol.
• Practice and maintain infection control.
• Maintain an assigned patient caseload providing ongoing supportive counseling to both the patient and family.

Requirements:

• If no Associate's degree: Minimum 2 years’ experience working in law enforcement, Nursing, Psychiatric/Behavioral Health, Mental Health Population, Counseling, or Group Family Dynamics.
• Venipuncture experience.
• EKG skills.