Patient Care Associate

Newton, MA, United States

Overview

Aloha Solutions is a family-owned, fun, and rapidly growing company headquartered in the Greater Boston Area. Aloha’s parent company, VPNE , has been collaborating with the world’s finest hospitals to solve their people and logistics challenges since 1993. We promote growth from within and instill our company's family values in an ever-expanding business. Our teammates are energetic, friendly, and proactive in helping Aloha/VPNE build its brand – all while working at the world’s most prestigious healthcare institutions. Are you a dedicated professional who thrives in a fun, fast-paced, team-oriented environment? Are you interested in joining a community of teammates who are spirited, driven, and diverse? If so, you belong at Aloha. We are a recognized leader in healthcare, looking for people like you to help deliver world-class care and help our clients’ hospitals perform at the highest levels. Apply today to jump-start your future as a Patient Care Associate !

Responsibilities

Under the direction of a registered/licensed nurse (RN), the Patient Care Associate (PCA) as a member of the interdisciplinary health care team assists in clinical support functions to promote a safe, compassionate patient care environment.

Essential Functions

Assists with meeting direct patient care needs

Consistently fosters a healing environment with respect and kindness demonstrating respect for all individuals with sensitivity to cultural diversity

Contributes to the plan of care through ongoing communication with the RN

Assists with patient data and specimen collection

Assists with equipment preparation and set up

Supports a Culture of Safety by providing a safe and comfortable patient/family experience where risks are reduced and/or eliminated, by performing the following:

Completes hourly patient care rounds, anticipating patient needs proactively

Maintains patient and family privacy and confidentiality

Responds to patient and family requests, including answering patient call lights in a timely manner

Seeks registered nurse assistance to meet patient/family needs when necessary.

Communicates in a respectful manner with all members of the interdisciplinary team

Monitors patient and environment for safety concerns and immediately reports changes to RN/licensed nurse

Maintains a safe and clean patient care environment

Follows Infection Prevention Practices:

Proper hand washing demonstrated 100% of the time.

Utilizes two patient identifiers for proper patient identification prior to all specimen collections

Follows Safe Patient Handling principles to maintain safety for both patients and staff

Documents aspects of care on approved forms or electronic medical record

Participates as a member of the Interdisciplinary team to meet patient/family and unit/department needs

Proactively provides assistance to others

Performs delegated responsibilities and demonstrates willingness to adapt to changing unit demands

Provides care appropriate to age group of patients on assigned unit(s) as described in the relevant unit profiles

In collaboration with the Nursing Manager/Director and Clinical Nurse Specialist/Nursing Practice Specialist/Nursing Professional Development Specialist, identifies and meets learning needs, including:

Completes annual required training

Updates knowledge through periodic in-services

Other duties as assigned

Direct Patient Care:

Assists with activities of daily living (i.e. personal hygiene/grooming, bathing/showering, toileting, dressing, and functionality/mobility)

Sets up food trays and assist patients with meals as indicated

Performs preventative skin care

Assists patients with positioning, turning, mobilization, ambulation, passive and active range of motion per plan of care

Applies/removes pneumatic sequential compression sleeves

Adheres to standard precautions

Adheres to hand hygiene guidelines

Assists with admission/discharge process

Provides safe patient transportation

Orients patients and families/visitors to surroundings

Ensures safekeeping of patient valuables including packing and storing

Checks patients for ID bands, and notifies nurse if replacement is needed

Patient Data and Specimen Collection:

Utilizes 2 patient identifiers for proper patient identification prior to all specimen collections

Obtains and records vital signs, pulse oximetry and non-invasive B/P and immediately reports changes to RN/licensed nurse

Performs blood glucose testing

Equipment:

Retrieves equipment from other areas

Cleans equipment between patient use

Follows equipment management protocols on assigned unit for patient use:

Cardiac monitors

Portable oxygen cylinder

Nasal cannula/face mask

Pulse oximeter and probe

Suction canister-liner system

Patient lifting equipment

Scales: Standing/Chair/Wheelchair

Provides a Safe and Comfortable Patient/Family experience

Adheres to service excellence standards during care provision with respectful, courteous, culturally sensitive care

Responds to call lights in a timely manner and prioritizes call light response appropriately

Participates in hourly rounding per unit protocol

Provides constant observation for patients at risk for injury in person or virtually

Reapplies soft restraints/roll belt per unit protocol

Uses principles of Safe Patient Handling

Documentation on Approved Forms and in Medical Record:

Records intake of fluids and food

Records height and weight

Records output of urine, stool, vomitus, and drain output

Records vital signs, pulse oximetry and noninvasive BPs

Records blood glucose results

Qualifications

Job Knowledge and Skills:

Successful completion of the literacy exam with a score of 80% or better (PCA Training Program candidates only)

CPR training required

Knowledge of English language sufficient to read, speak, and write accurately

Knowledge of simple arithmetic

Ability to lift and transport patients using the appropriate physical technique in a safe manner for the patient and self, according to Safe Patient Handling Guidelines

Ability to master basic computer skills

Excellent interpersonal skills to interact effectively with patients, visitors and hospital personnel

Education:

High school graduate or equivalent

Experience:

Six months experience as a Nursing Assistant or is a Nursing Student currently enrolled in a formal program who has successfully completed at least one clinical rotation or is currently enrolled in, and successfully completes, the NWH Patient Care Associate Training Program

Licenses, Certifications and/or Registrations (if applicable):

Certification as a Nursing Assistant preferred

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