Patient Care Associate 2

Scope of Position
The Ohio State University Medical Center is committed to enhancing the quality of care provided to patients. The Patient Care Associate (PCA) functions as an integral member of a team of care providers on a patient care unit, who reflect a culture of cooperation, enthusiasm, and mutual respect. The team, consisting of the RN-PCC, the Patient Care Associate (PCA), Student Nursing Assistant (SNA) the Patient Services Associate (PSA) and the Unit Clerical Associate (UCA) provides patient care and supportive services that are directed towards achievement of patient care outcomes, maximizing the patients involvement in his/her own plan of care, improving service levels, reducing the length of hospitalization and decreasing costs. Patients and their family will experience the benefits of patient focused care through the integrated skills of all care team members. The PCA will be responsible for Medical/Surgical Patients in a 22-bed Medical/Surgical unit.
Position Summary:
The PCA is responsible for providing a variety of direct and indirect patient care activities as supervised and directed by the Registered Nurse. Care is provided in collaboration with the patient, family, and other members of the patient focused care team. Overall responsibilities are to assist the team in meeting patient care needs.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The PCA will demonstrate core competencies in the area of customer focus, teamwork, job knowledge, and resource management.
55% of time Collaborates with the RN and other members of the patient care team in providing patient care and documenting observations and care given.
Provides basic nursing care activities such as vital signs, weights, intake and output and patient hygiene measures, patient comfort measures, collecting of specimens, according to department policies, procedures and protocols.
Follows through and reports back on assignments from the RN-PCC.
Demonstrates compassion and sensitivity to patients, families, visitors and other staff. Is courteous to others and promotes mutual respect.
Observes, reports, and records signs and symptoms as well as other factors pertinent to the patients condition and compliance with prescribed therapies.
Reports/ intervenes to facilitate patient comfort, position, alignment and turning.
Assists patient with mobility activities such as ambulation, transfers and use of assistive devices.
Assists patient with elimination, provides foley care, and ostomy care.
Documents care given; reports changes inpatient condition to the RN-PCC.
Demonstrates understanding of job responsibilities and uses appropriate knowledge and skills to effectively complete work.
Anticipates needs of customers and assumes responsibility for solving customer problems.
Works with team to deliver appropriate nursing care in emergency situations, including implementing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, assisting with Code Blue and life safety readiness, and notifying physicians.
Provides a variety of clerical support services under the direction of the RN-PCC, which includes overall responsibilities of processing orders, verification of forms for accuracy and completeness and dissemination of information.
Demonstrates cost-effective use of supplies and own time and others time; systematically organizes and prioritizes work.
35% of time Participates with patient care team in specialized patient care activities.
Works effectively as a team member and maintains a positive relationship and open communication with other team members.
Effectively performs electrocardiograms (ECGs).
Performs simple sterile dressings utilizing surgical asepsis; assists licensed caregivers with complex wound dressings.
Collects specimens including using phlebotomy techniques.
Provides basic pulmonary care.
Assists with application, removal and care of splints.
Effectively participates in Cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Provides simple physical, occupational and speech therapy treatments as assessed by the therapist and directed by a licensed acre giver, to include: simple range of motion; simple gait training; follow up techniques for regaining swallowing; use of alternative communication methods; reinforcement of restoration of activities of daily living (ADLs).
Performs materials management/supply management functions as needed.
5% of time Participates with team in quality assessment and improvement activities
Identifies opportunities for improvement in patient care and organizational processes.
Contributes to performance improvement of the Medical Center, the unit and the patient care team.
Demonstrates a commitment to providing the highest quality of service to all customers.
Quality measures include:
Patient Satisfaction
Evaluation of patient outcomes
Unit productivity
Cost data
5% of time Assumes function of other patient care team members as directed by the RN-PCC.
Organizational Expectations
Practices the Medical Centers policies and procedures, and Division of Nursing Standards of Practice, including attendance and dress code policies. Maintains infection control standards, implements appropriate patient safety protocols as necessary. Adheres to the Intensive Caring Value statements and the Hospital Core Competencies as demonstrated through positive patient/guest relations, positive and effective interactions with staff, and formulating and meeting developmental goals.
Minimum Qualifications
For Hire:
High school Graduate or GED certificate required. One year of experience as a hospital aide, EMT certification, completion a military corpsman training program with direct patient cared experience required or successful completion of the PCA training course required. Experience in an acute care environment preferred.
On going:
Demonstrate competence to meet essential job functions. Maintains knowledge related to patient care issues, quality improvement, cost reduction, and current policies, procedures, and protocols. Meets mandatory educational and health requirements.
Demonstrates computer skills required to meet job functions.
Patient Population Served
Knowledge of growth and development and an understanding of the range of treatments necessary to meet the age specific needs of the patient population served (Check those that apply):
Not Applicable: Non-patient care title
NO
Adolescents (14-17 years)
Neonates (0 - 6 months)
Adults (18 - 64 years)
X
Children (7 months 13 years)
Geriatrics (65 + years)
X
Job Relationships
Supervisory Responsibility: None
Contacts: Patients and family, all members of the patient care team, physicians, and other Medical Center staff both clinical and non-clinical.
Responsible to: Registered Nurse
Physical/Visual/Mental Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to:
Transport/move patients in order to provide care
Move objects weighing up to 30 pounds around the work environment in order to provide care
Provide care, perform necessary duties and maintain patient safety on the Nursing Unit
Set up/adjust various patient equipment items in use at the Medical Center
Communicate clearly in order to facilitate the patient care plan.
Work Environment
The work environment involves risks or discomforts which require special safety precautions, additional safety education and/or health risk monitoring, e.g. chemicals, radiation, working with sharps (needles, syringes, scalpels), infectious diseases. Employees may be required to use protective clothing or gear such as masks, gowns, goggles, gloves, etc
The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices and meeting rooms (i.e. use of safe work practices, avoidance of trips and falls, and observance of fire regulations and traffic signs). The work environment involves risks associated with the use of computers, such as eyestrain and disorders that result from repetitive motions associated with computer use.
Note: The above statements are intended to describe the essential functions and related requirements of persons assigned to this job. They are not intended as an exhaustive list of all job duties, responsibilities, and requirements.