Patient Care Associate - Correctional Health Services

Position:
Patient Care Associate (PCA).

Location:

CHS - Astoria, NY 11105. Position type:
Regular Full‑Time. Salary: $24.28 per hour.

• Administers total care (bed bath, partial or complete).
• Assists with patient’s personal hygiene – including skin care, mouth care, shaving, etc.
• Transfers patients – in and out of bed, stretcher and wheelchair including physical and mechanical lifting.
• Positions patients and carries out range of motion exercises.
• Assists with ambulating and all ADL as directed.
• Prepares patients for meals and assists with feedings as needed.
• Assists with unit admissions and transfer of patient.
• Makes beds and tidies patient area for bedridden patients.
• Takes and documents in the electronic medical records all patient’s vital signs – B/P, TPR, weights, intake and output and performs EKG’s as required and follows outlined procedures for faxing abnormal EKGs.
• Performs dry sterile dressing changes and assists with other patient treatments.
• Administers hot and cold applications to patients, under supervision.
• Maintains intake and output for oral and body excretions.
• Notifies MD/Nurse Staff of any changes in patient’s status.
• Performs urine testing by dipstick and fractionalization.
• Chaperones staff in all clinical areas when requested.
• Maintains competency in nursing skills as detailed in the clinical Performance checklist for Nursing Assistant.
• Assists with nursing follow‑ups and transmits necessary information to laboratory electronically.
• Anticipates and acts to maintain a safe environment.
• Performs job functions in a manner that promotes efficient use of resources.
• Must wait for relief at change of tour by staff with same title (relieving PCA).
• Documents all encounters in Electronic Medical Records.
• Completes encounter forms every shift.

• Perform HIV Pre and Post test counselling.
• Perform rapid HIV Test.
• Enter data in the rapid HIV database and electronic medical record.
• Fax rapid HIV testing information to the Nursing Office every tour.
• Perform Quality controls.
• Perform EKGs and fax information.
• Perform Nursing Follow‑up as assigned.
• Assist with New Admission processing.
• Perform Veni‑punctures.

• Clean equipment, i.e. Thermometers, B/P machine, EKG machine, suction machine, refrigerators, and other treatment equipment.
• Stock and replenish supplies in all clinic areas, including stationery supplies.
• Maintain cleanliness of surface area of treatment and exam rooms.
• Maintain security precautions with keys, locked areas, and equipment.

• Assists other employees where needed.
• Is responsible and cooperative with supervisors, fellow associates, patients, visitors, and Department of Correction personnel.
• Maintains friendly working atmosphere.
• Maintains professional attitude.
• Maintains professional appearance and adheres to uniform policy of the Department of Nursing.
• Accepts constructive criticism as evidenced by appropriate changes in behaviour.
• Utilises established channels of communication.
• Recognises, accepts, and respects people as individuals.
• Recognises limitations and seeks assistance appropriately.
• Able to give and receive verbal and written information.

Because patients require round‑the‑clock care, working hours include days, nights, weekends and holidays. PCAs are required to stand for long periods of time. Employees are encouraged to safely move patients and use alternative methods whenever possible. PCAs may face hazards from exposure to chemical and infectious diseases and may treat patients that are confused, irrational, agitated and/or uncooperative.

• Ability to lift fifty (50) pounds; moving, lifting or transferring of patients may involve lifting of up to 100 pounds.
• Ability to stand for extended periods.
• Fine…