Patient care associate

Position Summary:

Assists nurses with direct and indirect patient care activities. Prepares patients rooms for occupancy after discharge. Additional responsibilities includes blood draws and EKG's.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

1. Completes unit assignments during scheduled time period, meeting the criteria designated by the Nursing Manager/Resource Nurse.
2. Assists in maintaining a safe and orderly patient care environment, adhering to established policy.
3. Demonstrates competency and knowledge in performing specified nursing assistant skills.
4. Demonstrates competency in utilization of specified equipment required for patient care.
5. Responds to real or simulated emergency and disaster situations according to established procedure.
6. Assumes responsibility for obtaining current accurate information and expands knowledge base through utilization of appropriate learning experiences and attending mandatory yearly inservices.
7. Demonstrates organizational skills and appropriately prioritizes assigned work responsibilities.
8. Communicates effectively and reports relevant observations and changes in patient status to responsible registered nurse and follow through as directed.
9. Participates in performance improvement activities.
10. Respects patient’s rights by providing privacy and confidentiality of information.
11. Follows established policy/procedures for specimen collection, focusing on patient identification, appropriate and required collection, transportation and delivery of specimens.
12. Demonstrates compliance with Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals.
13. May perform special procedures as required and directed (i.e., blood draws/EKGs).
14. Provides for the age specific needs of the population served according to department standards, as evidenced by observation, documentation, and peer feedback.
15. (x) Adolescence: 13-17 years
16. (x) Adult: 18-64 years
17. (x) Geriatric: 65 years and older
18. Performs other related duties as required and directed.

Qualifications:

Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Completion of a Nurse Assistant Certification Program or equivalent
• BLS issued by American Heart Association or Red Cross Certification

Preferred:

• Minimum of six (6) months recent experience as a Nurse Assistant in an acute care setting preferred.
• Completion of phlebotomy course or equivalent experience preferred.