Patient Care Assistant

Overview

Have you ever wondered what the rest of your patient's story is after their acute hospital stay? Do you have the desire to see stroke, hip fracture, or pulmonary patients meet their goals of improved functional ability and independence? Come join the dynamic multi-disciplinary team at the Rehabilitation Pavilion. When patients are admitted to the DCH Rehabilitation Pavilion, located at Northport Medical Center, they continue to receive hospital care and close medical supervision while participating in the rehab program. Every patient receives 24-hour medical monitoring and care by our physiatrist, nurse practitioners/ physician assistants and rehab nurses. Providers round daily during the patients stay. Patient recovery is aided by the latest therapy equipment including body weight support systems for safe recovery of walking; treadmills for maximum repetitions; a Dynavision machine for improving reaction time and visual processing and a simulation vehicle to practice getting in and out of the vehicle for the ride home.

Responsibilities

Provides compassionate personal care and support services under the supervision of a registered nurse that assists the patient in the achievement of physical and emotional comfort and healing.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES / ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Receive RN report at start of shift2. Walking rounds and shift report with off going PCA to ensure patients clean and dry/ rooms clean3. Apply cardiac monitoring; Change all cardiac monitor batteries at 7am (on designated units?)4. Document patient bedside rounds q2h (odd hours)5. Conduct 4 P's on every round: Pain, Position, POW, perimeter6. Document patient vital signs q4h (or as ordered)7. Daily Glucometer QC (Night shift)8. Bathe patients daily (change for pts with central lines)9. Replace EKG pads (cardiac monitor) daily with baths10. Daily linen change11. Assist patient with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) - ie. brushing/mouth care, feeding patient. assisting with      toileting, etc.)12. Obtain blood sugars on all diabetic patients and document13. Stock isolation caddies in halls and rooms are stocked for next shift14. Keep patient rooms clean and free from clutter (empty urinals, cornrnodes, food, clutter, etc)15. Empty trash from assigned rooms as needed and prior to change of shift16. Answer call lights in a timely manner17. Initiate or continue pressure ulcer bundle (consult with RN for Braden scores)18. Turn/Reposition patients every 2 hours in bed or chair19. Initiate or continue Fall Prevention protocol (see Unit Secretary for Morse Scores)20. Weigh all patients on admission and every Wednesday at 5am (unless patient is a daily weight) standing scale preferred ***21. Prepare for admission (admission bucket-bath basin, kleenex. water pitcher, etc.)22. Update patient whiteboards Daily.23. Daily bath on night shift — DIALYSIS / Pre-Procedural patients24. Fresh Ice given at 1700/0500 for start of next shift25. Vital sign machines wiped dowm and stocked for next shift26. Assists in orientation Of new staff27. Other duties as assigned28. Measure and Record Intake/Output29. Accurately documents care provlded according to policies and procedures.30. Applies safety principles when performing care such as ambulation of patients. transferring patients, assisting      with normal range of motion, and positioning, and fall prevention techniques.31. Participates in cost saving utilization of supplies

32. Provides all personal care services in accordance with the plan of treatment assigned by the registered nurse to include but not limited to:

• measure and record intake and output
• measure and record vital signs, 02 Saturation, weight and height
• positioning patients; lifting and turning patients
• applying/utilizing special equipment
• assisting in use of bedpan, urinal or commode
• ambulating the patient
• pre-operative and post-operative care
• application/removal of anti-embolism stocking and SCD devices
• removal of foley catheters
• perineal care; vaginal irrigations (non-sterile) and sitz baths
• non-medicated enemas
• application of heat and cold
• care of the incontinent patient
• skin care to the immobilized patient
• removal of saline lock
• emptying of colostomy bags
• application of appliances for heat and cold
• performing blood sugars
• placing patients on cardiac monitors
• set up of oxygen equipment
• feeding patients
• collecting, labeling, and transporting of lab specimens.

DCH Standards:

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.
• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Approved previous experience in giving patient care or completion of in-service education classes.
• High school education or equivalent OR one year direct patient care experience.
• Must be able to read, write legibly, speak. and comprehend English.
• BLS required or achieved within first 90 days of employment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical: Physical presence onsite is essential. Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected within normal range. Able to perform duties with or without reasonable accommodation. Ability to tolerate prolonged periods of standing and walking. Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to25 pounds. Is able to push stretcher/wheelchair with average adult patient. Is able to do frequent stooping and on occasion crouching. crawling or kneeling. Ability to reach reasonable distances in any direction, Ability to run in emergency situations. Must be able to move fingers in a coordinated manner. Must have ability to feel and perceive temperature, texture, shape and size with fingertips.

Environmental: Includes exposure to human body fluids. disease. infection. labchemicals and hazard materials and/or cleaning solutions. Requires wearing common protective or safety equipment.

Psychological: Includes receiving delegation, working with team members, addressing conflict, and communicating with all types Of personalities.