Patient Care Associate - North 5 Orthopedics Inpatient - East Hospital

Scope of Position

University East Hospital is committed to enhancing the quality of care provided to patients. The Patient Care Associate (PCA) functions as an integral member of a team of care providers on a patient care unit, who reflect a culture of cooperation, enthusiasm, and mutual respect. The team, consisting of the Patient Care Coordinator (RN-PCC), the Patient Care Associate (PCA), the Orthopaedic Technologist, and the Unit Clerical Associate (UCA) provides patient care and supportive services that are directed towards achievement of patient care outcomes, maximizing the patients involvement in his/her own plan of care, improving service levels, reducing length of hospitalization and decreasing costs. Patients and their family will experience the benefits of patient focused care through the integrated skills of all care team members.

The Musculoskeletal Institute is an inpatient unit that provides 24-hour care to patients with a spectrum of orthopaedic and occasional medical-surgical diagnoses.

Position Summary

The Patient Care Associate (PCA) is responsible for providing a variety of direct and indirect patient care activities as supervised and directed by the Patient Care Coordinator (RN-PCC). Care is provided in collaboration with the patient, family, and other members of the patient focused care team. Overall responsibilities are to assist the team in meeting patient care needs.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Patient Care Associate (PCA) will demonstrate core competencies in the area of customer focus, teamwork, job knowledge, and resource management.

55% of time Collaborates with the RN-PCC and other members of the patient care team to provide patient care and to document observations and the provision of patient care.

• Provides basic nursing care such as vital signs, weights, intake and output, patient nourishment, patient hygiene, patient comfort measures, patient safety, and collection of specimens in accordance with hospital and Infection Control policies.
• Completes and reports back on assignments delegated by the RN-PCC.
• Observes and reports signs and symptoms or changes in patient condition, as well as other factors pertinent to the patients condition and prescribed therapies, to the RN-PCC.
• Demonstrates compassion and sensitivity to patients, families, visitors and other staff. Is courteous to others and promotes mutual respect.
• Provides interventions to facilitate patient comfort such as positioning, alignment, and turning.
• Assist patients with mobility activities such as ambulation, transfers, and use of assistive devices.
• Assists patients with elimination, provides foley and ostomy care.
• Documents care given in accordance with Nursing Policies.
• Demonstrates understanding of job responsibilities and uses appropriate knowledge and skills to effectively complete work.
• Demonstrates knowledge of Orthopaedic specific protocols.
• Anticipates needs of customers and assumes responsibility for solving customer problems when appropriate.

• Maintains a neat and orderly environment, including nursing station, patient rooms, and unit storage areas.
• Demonstrates cost-effective use of supplies and time (both own and others); systemically organizes and prioritizes work.

35% of time Participates with patient care team in specialized patient care activities

• Works effectively as a team member and maintains a positive relationship and open communication with other team members and departments within the hospital
• Assists with basic pulmonary care

• Assists with application, removal, and care of splints
• Works with team to deliver appropriate patient care during emergency situations including cardiopulmonary resuscitation, assisting with Code Blue and Life safety readiness, and retrieving necessary supplies.
• Assists with the provision of simple physical and occupational therapy treatments as assessed by the therapist and directed by a licensed care provider to include: simple range of motion, bed exercises, simple gait training, use of assistive devices, use of alternative communication methods, reinforcement of restoration of activities of daily living (ADLs).
• Demonstrates ability to use medical equipment (Accucheck machine, Plexi-Pulse Foot Pumps, etc) to complete job responsibilities.
• Performs materials management/supply management functions, such as stocking supplies in patient rooms and ordering patient/unit supplies, as needed.

5% of time Manages/participates with team in quality assessment and improvement activities

• Identifies opportunities for improvement in patient care and organizational processes.
• Contributes to performance improvement of the Hospital, the unit and the patient care team.
• Demonstrates a commitment to providing the highest quality of service to all customers.

Quality measures include:

Patient satisfaction

Evaluation of patient outcomes

Unit productivity

Cost data

5% of time Assumes function of other patient care team members as directed by the RN-PCC.

Organizational Expectations

Practices within the Hospitals policies and procedures, and Divisions of Nursing Standards of Practice, including attendance and dress code policies. Maintains infection control standards, implements appropriate patient safety protocols as necessary. Adheres to the Intensive caring Value statements and the Hospital Core Competencies as demonstrated through positive patient/guest relations, positive and effective interactions with staff, formulating and meeting developmental goals.