Patient Care Assistant EW BWH

Overview

A $750.00 sign on bonus is being offered to eligible new employees hired in our PCA positions.

• PROVISION OF A SAFE ENVIRONMENT
  • Anticipates and identifies patient safety risks, in cooperation with licensed nurse and takes appropriate action to reduce and/or eliminate the risks. For example: maintains proper bed height, uses side rails and alarms appropriately, places call light within patient reach, provides frequent patient checks and assists patient with ambulation, as indicated.
  • Makes routine patient room rounds to address patient needs.
  • Follows and maintains restraint policies, under the supervision of a licensed nurse. Before utilizing any restraints, checks with the licensed nurse.
  • Provides 1:1 monitoring as a patient observer, for patients at risk for injury.
  • Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.
  • Utilizes proper body mechanics in moving and assisting patients, to prevent personal injury.
• ORGANIZATIONAL ETHICS
  • Maintains and promotes an atmosphere which reflects the mission and values of the organization.
  • Respects and supports a culturally diverse staff and patient population.
  • Delivers care in a non-judgmental, non-discriminatory manner that is sensitive to and demonstrates respect for patient diversity.
  • Respects and maintains the confidentiality and privacy of patient, employee and hospital information at all times.
  • Works cooperatively with all staff members and takes appropriate steps to resolve interpersonal conflicts. Seeks assistance from RN, Nursing Director or Nursing Supervisor, as needed.
  • Dresses appropriately and according to dress code requirements, including wearing visible hospital I.D. badge that identifies self, as a Patient Care Assistant.
• MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES
  • Efficiently organizes time and prioritizes patient care needs. Works with other patient care assistants, when possible to facilitate patient care.
  • Provides assistance to co-workers, as requested.
  • Adapts to changing patient and unit needs including but not limited to: offering assistance to other team members, floating, adjusting assignments, etc.
  • Communicates with Charge Nurse/Nursing Supervisor to coordinate break periods with unit activities. Maintains visibility on the unit and does not leave work area, without appropriate notification to the Charge Nurse/Staff Nurse.
• MANAGEMENT OF INFORMATION
  • Reviews and is knowledgeable of appropriate policies, procedures and work rules.
  • Demonstrates an understanding of hospital emergency codes and how to call a code.
  • Utilizes hospital E-mail to access staff meeting minutes, notices and memos.
  • Reads and reviews meeting minutes and clinical updates.
  • Participates in staff meetings and appropriate in-services.
  • Maintains timely ongoing verbal communication with RN throughout the shift, regarding patient condition including, the status of completing delegated tasks. Recognizes and notifies RN immediately of any significant change in a patient's condition and/or monitoring alarms.
  • Accurately collects and records patient data (vital signs, intake and output, blood sugar, weights, restraint care/monitoring, other) and complies with hospital documentation standards to ensure a complete and accurate patient record.
• COLLABORATIVE INTERDISCIPLINARY
  • Maintains and fosters a teamwork approach to patient care.
• PATIENT/FAMILY EDUCATION
  • Addresses patient comfort and information needs by providing informative, nonclinical information to patients and families, orienting patients/visitors to the hospital, unit, patient room services, distributing patient mail/flowers, arranging room to ensure necessary personal care items are available & accessible (includes call lights), distributing nourishments, changing linens & clothing, refilling ice packs, running patient errands or other duties, as assigned by the RN.
  • In collaboration with the licensed nurse, reinforces the patient education provided by the nurse and provides patients/families with basic patient care instruction, such as instruction for using the call light, positioning, transferring, walking, toileting and feeding.
• COMPETENCY
  • Complies with established practice standards, policies, procedures, protocols,…