The Patient Care Assistant (PCA) provides direct patient care under the supervision of nursing staff. The PCA is responsible for assisting patients with activities of daily living, ensuring comfort, safety, and dignity, and supporting the overall healthcare team in delivering quality care. This role involves close interaction with patients, families, and healthcare professionals in a variety of settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and outpatient clinics.
Duties and Responsibilities of a patient care assistant:
- Assist patients with activities of daily living (ADLs), including bathing, dressing, grooming, feeding, and toileting.
- Help patients with mobility, including transferring from beds to wheelchairs, walking, and repositioning in bed to prevent pressure sores.
- Monitor and record vital signs such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration rates, and report any changes or concerns to the nursing staff.
- Provide emotional support and companionship to patients, particularly those who are elderly, disabled, or in long-term care.
- Assist with basic medical procedures, such as applying dressings, taking specimens, and setting up equipment for medical procedures under the guidance of a nurse.
- Ensure patients' rooms are clean, tidy, and safe, including changing bed linens, emptying bedpans, and maintaining a sanitary environment.
- Communicate effectively with patients, families, and healthcare team members, ensuring that patient needs and concerns are addressed promptly.
- Follow infection control procedures, including hand hygiene and the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), to prevent the spread of infections.
Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Completion of a state-approved nursing assistant certification program (CNA) preferred.
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a team and follow detailed instructions.
- Physical stamina and the ability to lift or assist patients with mobility.
- Compassion, patience, and a genuine desire to help others.
Work Environment:
- Patient Care Assistants typically work in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or outpatient clinics.
- The role involves significant physical activity, including standing, walking, lifting, and assisting patients with movement.
- The job may require working shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, depending on the healthcare facility's needs.
About us:
We are committed to going above and above, never settling for less than excellence. We take pride in being industry leaders and strive for continuous progress. We are dedicated to provide high-quality services to our patients in more than 150 inpatient hospitals across 36 states.
We help our patients and communities by offering personalized therapy that exceeds expectations. Our healthcare specialists are committed to giving the best possible results and returning patients to what is most important.