Patient Care Associate

Duties & Responsibilities

• Checks vital signs, weighs, and measures patients, obtains specimens and records findings on patient’s chart.
• Instructs patients on how to obtain specimens for laboratory testing and performs basic specimen screening through dipstick and hemoccult.
• Prepares collected specimens for pick‑up by labeling and preparing required form(s).
• Performs vision and hearing testing and simple urinalysis.
• Administers emergency first aid, including basic life support procedures.
• Performs simple first aid such as dressing changes, bandaging and cleansing of wounds, irrigation and cleansing of ears.
• Prepares patient for examination and assists medical provider during examination by providing necessary supplies/equipment.
• Prepares examination room including cleaning and disinfecting of instruments and equipment.
• Informs patients on proper preparation for various medical testing.
• Interviews patient to obtain routine personal and medical information and appropriate health history.
• Maintains, completes, processes and files patients’ charts, appropriate forms and documents.
• Reports observations of patient to clinical staff caring for patient to ensure professional assessment.
• Answers routine inquiries of patients in person or via telephone and makes appropriate referrals.
• Provides information to patients and their families regarding health care services and the achievement of healthy, safe living.
• Maintains inventory of the unit’s equipment stock and supplies.
• Works effectively as a team member in the delivery of care and assists in the orientation of new employees.
• Directs and escorts patients to other departments and/or health care settings, as needed.
• Coordinates efforts of various clinic and health care setting departments in scheduling and re‑booking appointments through manual and/or automated systems and enters pertinent patient information into the Electronic Medical Record systems.
• Obtains blood specimens for laboratory testing by performing venipuncture and/or fingerstick testing.
• Operates electrocardiograph equipment to record electrical wave tracing of the electrical currents of the heart muscle.

• High school diploma or its educational equivalent, approved by a state’s Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization.
• Successful completion of training courses including the performance of phlebotomy and electrocardiography (EKG), or completion of a training program or programs that include the performance of phlebotomy and EKG, such as Phlebotomy Technician and EKG Technician training programs, a Patient Care training program, or a Medical Assistant training program.
• Holds, or obtains through facility orientation, a valid and current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association (AHA).

In addition to meeting the qualifications above, assignment to a long‑term care facility requires New York State Nurse’s Aide certification.