Patient Care Attendant (PCA)

Job Responsibilities

1. • Understands and adheres to the Patient Bill of Rights and Vulnerable Adult Act.
   • Provide appropriate personal care for patients assigned.
   • Help maintain a clean/safe environment for the patient.
   • Use correct medical asepsis – hand washing.
   • Handle supplies and equipment with proper technique.
   • Cleanse and sanitize units and utensils according to procedures.
   • Keep current on policies and procedures changes relevant to PCA position.
   • Attend unit meetings as appropriate.
   • Assist nursing with pre and post care of surgical patient.
   • Answer phone.
   • Assist with transporting of patients.
   • Outpatient infusion.
   • Clean instruments and equipment accordingly.

Prevent Hazards of Immobility

1. • Use heel and elbow protectors when needed for patients.

Provide for Patient Protection

• • Use side rails as instructed by charge nurse.
  • Adjust the bed height for patient safety.
  • Recognize and remove environmental dangers.
  • Provide easy access to the call light.
  • Answer call light promptly.
  • Knowledge of fire and disaster plan and participate in drills.
  • Use proper lifting equipment on all patients who require this assistance.
  • Transfer belt used correctly with patients who require this assistance.
  • Follow fall prevention policy.
  • Complete OTI as needed.

Nutritional Care

• • Assist with provision of nutrition as instructed by nurse.

Communication

     AIDET

• • Converses regularly with patients and uses terminology, manner of speech and non-verbal techniques appropriate to the level of understanding. Reports changes in response to charge nurse.
  • Show awareness of sensory deficits by establishing eye contact and speaking directly to patients. Use low tone of voice. Provide for quiet environment during conversation.
  • Explain actions and/or plans before starting.
  • Treat patient information with confidentiality.
  • Use touch as a means of communication, concern or comfort.
  • Maintain a calm, pleasant and gentle manner.

Respects Patients Rights and Dignity

1. • Ensures patients privacy.
   • Keeps patient covered, curtains pulled during cares and treatments and when in public view.
   • Report pertinent information to staff as necessary for continuity of care.

Safety/Body Mechanics

1. • Use good posture and body alignment.
   • Always move and/or lift according to procedure.
   • Position properly, turn or reposition as necessary.
   • Use safety devices and transfer belts properly when appropriate.
   • Assist with exercise when directed- range of motion according to procedure.

Work Habits

1. • Reports at the assigned time.
   • Always call in to report tardiness or absence.
   • No abuse of sick time.
   • No abuse of alcohol or drugs during work hours or report to work under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
   • Prioritizes work to meet each patient's needs.
   • Works as a team member, contributing to the over all completion of work needed to be done on the unit.
   • Takes the initiative in contributing with the overall safe, efficient and quality functioning of the unit.
   • Attend mandatory meetings and in-services as appropriate.

Other

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, within the scope of employment or is logical assignment to the position. Management reserves the right to revise this job description at any time.