Patient Care Associate (Mount Auburn Hospital)

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES (including but not limited to):

• Acts as a resource to patients, families, and visitors upon entering the unit. Exhibits professional behavior while providing superior customer service to all who require information or assistance.
• Assists in coordinating patient communication by answering call lights (as defined by the unit) and relaying timely and accurate information to nursing staff.
• Exhibits strong communication skills with professional telephone manners. Takes accurate messages and delivers the message in a timely fashion.
• Functions as a liaison between the patient care unit and all support services throughout the hospital.
• Maintains the flow of medical record information, ensuring all pertinent information is filed correctly and promptly.
• Maintains established stock levels of clerical supplies.
• Participates in the orientation of new staff.
• Responds to staffing needs of the healthcare team by cross-training and floating to other units as needed.
• Print proxy list daily and update proxy information to the current chart if applicable.
• Performs unit-specific tasks as identified on the unit checklist. Follow discharge procedures according to the checklist. Print required documents and sign off on completed paperwork.
• Follow appropriate downtime procedures. Locate and supply all downtime forms to staff as required.
• Attends the annual Safety Education Fair.
• Demonstrates the skills and judgment necessary to provide direct care to patients under the direct supervision of licensed personnel.
• Maintains current knowledge/certification.
• Demonstrates the skills and judgment necessary to provide non-direct patient care/support services to staff under the direction of licensed personnel.
• Follows the hospital exposure control plans/bloodborne and airborne pathogens.
• Assumes all other duties and responsibilities as necessary including one-to-one close observation of patients as needed.
• Assisting with patient admissions to the PACU and preparing the recovery room.
• Taking patients' vital signs, including blood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation, and temperature.
• Assisting with patient positioning and comfort measures, ensuring proper alignment and support.
• Ambulating patients and assisting with ADL's including toileting, dressing, and feeding.
• Assisting the nurse in conducting post-operative assessments, including monitoring incision sites and dressing changes.
• Providing support to patients and their families during the recovery process.
• Assisting with patient transfers to other units or discharge from the PACU.
• Maintaining a clean and safe environment in the PACU, including restocking supplies and equipment.
• Collaborating with the nursing team to ensure efficient and effective patient care.
• Adhering to all hospital policies and procedures, as well as regulatory guidelines related to patient care and safety in the PACU.
• Nurse's aides in the PACU must have strong communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment. They should also have a compassionate demeanor and the ability to provide patient-centered care during the critical recovery period after surgery.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school graduate or equivalent
• Previous clerical experience (preferably in a healthcare setting). Medical terminology is preferred.
• Ability to read and write at level 8, as documented on "Invest," the hospital's Employee Learning Laboratory software.  
• An ability to set appropriate priorities and organize workflow.
• An ability to concentrate and pay attention to detail during frequent interruptions.
• Strong interpersonal skills are necessary to interface with support and professional staff and patients.