Patient Care Associate

NATICK - CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR THIS JOB

Performs various duties to assist the professional nursing staff with routine patient care needs, communication, comfort, safety, documentation, and treatments. Works under direction and general supervision of the Nurse Manager, Charge Nurse, or Registered Nurse as required and according to established nursing policies and procedures. Ensures quality and safe delivery of care to patients in the following age groups: All ages - Neonate, Infancy, Toddler, Preschool, School Age, Adolescent, Adult, Geriatric.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. BASIC PATIENT CARE: Provides patients with physical, emotional, and spiritual care using appropriate resources according to nursing policy and procedures (i.e., bathing, bedmaking, positioning, ADL's, skin care, incontinence care, toileting rounds every 2 hours).

2. TREATMENT/PROCEDURES: Administers treatments and procedures as ordered by physician and following policy and procedures (i.e., vital signs, collecting catheter, sputum, and stool specimens, TED's, sequential compression boots, applications of heat and cold, sitz baths, simple wound care, D/C, Foley Catheter and saline lock, admission and discharge, and post mortem care).

3. PATIENT ENVIRONMENT AND SAFETY: Follows and adheres to standards of infection control in the care of all patients. Reduces risks to patients, other employees, and self through use of proper body mechanics. Demonstrates workplace pride by maintaining patient areas in a neat and orderly condition (i.e., answers call lights in a timely manner, empties linens and fills carts, and keeps table tops free of trash). In the event of emergencies (fires, Code Blue, Code Purple, and stat calls), performs assigned duties under the direction of the Nurse Manager or Charge Nurse.

4. COMMUNICATION/CUSTOMER SERVICE: Reports patient complaints to Charge Nurse in a timely manner. Observes and reports any unusual changes in the physical or mental status of patients to the Charge Nurse as situations necessitate. Communicates with patients, families, and other appropriate members of the health team in a courteous and timely manner and following established guidelines and nursing policies and procedures. Refers unusual problems to supervisor as required. Meets Hospital customer service behaviors as they relate to the ten commitments, using scripting as indicated.

5. DOCUMENTATION: AssureThe above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned this job. They are not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills and abilities associated with the jobs accurate patient documentation on I % O, graphic sheet, and point of care clipboard according to established nursing policies and procedures. WORKING CONDITIONS: Almost constant standing, walking, and pushing and lifting of patients, materials, and supplies. Works in difficult positions while assisting in positioning or lifting patients. Exposure to patient elements during course of duties.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Speech/Communication:

1. Ability to communicate face to face with individuals; communicate via call system with individuals; communicate via telephone with individuals; read, write, speak and understand the English language

Hearing:

1. Ability to hear heart, lung and bowel sounds; blood pressure, and fetal heart sounds using stethoscope; respiratory sounds without stethoscope; patient verbalizations – speech, crying, moans, etc; monitor alarms, fire alarms, positive pressure room alarms.

Vision:

1. Requires (Near/Far/Depth/Color) vision for patient assessment, charting, computer use, lab tests, read monitors, injections, vitals, blood draw, measurements

Lifting/Carrying:

1. Ability to vertically/horizontally transfer objects weighing up to 10 lbs from 69 inches to 26 inches, up to two times an hour for a distance of up to 150 feet without mechanical assistance. (example: Linens)

2. Ability to vertically/horizontally transfer objects weighting up to 10 lbs from 8 inches to 30 inches, up to five times an hour for a distance of up to 5 feet without mechanical assistance. (example: Charts)

3. Ability to vertically/horizontally transfer objects weighing up to 15 lbs from 17 inches to 28 inches, up to once an hour for a distance of up to 5 feet without mechanical assistance. (example: P&P; Manual)

4. Ability to vertically/horizontally transfer objects weighing up to 20 lbs from 45 inches to 26 inches, up to once an hour for a distance of up to 200 feet without mechanical assistance. (example: Oxygen Tank)

5. Ability to vertically/horizontally transfer objects weighing up to 20 lbs from 33 inches to 26 inches, up to once an hour for a distance of up to 200 feet without mechanical assistance. (example: Monitors)

Pushing/Pulling:

1. Ability to push/pull IV poles and Blood Pressure machine for patient care. Must be able to horizontally transfer IV poles and Blood Pressure