WOOSTER COMMUNITY HOSPITAL JOB DESCRIPTION

Patient Care Assistant- PCA (Unlicensed Assistive Personnel- UAP)

MAIN FUNCTION:

Assists nurses in meeting patient needs as directed by RN/LPN. Communicates effectively with patients, support person(s) and other members of the health care team.

Follows WCH Nursing Philosophy and practice model which are derived from the Synergy model and appropriate Service Standards as outlined in Employee Handbook.

RESPONSIBLE TO: Department Director, Department Clinical Manager, Charge Nurses, RN, LPN

MUST HAVE REQUIREMENTS:

• High School diploma or GED
• Must successfully complete WCH PCA training upon hire.
  • If working in ED, must be an EMT or have State Tested Nurse Aide (STNA) Certification upon hire
  • If working on the Transitional Care Unit, must have STNA Certification
• No written disciplinary action in the last 12 months
• Maintain a current AHA (American Heart Association) Healthcare Provider BLS card while in this position.

PREFERRED ATTRIBUTES:

• Personal computer experience and keyboarding skills
• Medical terminology course or demonstrated knowledge
• Successful completion of 1st semester / quarter of clinical experience in LPN or RN program or have STNA Certification

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Employees in this position may be:

• Exposed to blood, body fluids and/or airborne pathogens and are required to wear personal protective equipment
• Must be able to push, pull, lift, carry, turn, crouch, and bend as necessary to complete nursing care tasks
• Required to take "on call" status
• Reassigned to another unit to perform duties within current job description
• Subject to STHR (short term hour reduction) according to policy

POSITION EXPECTATIONS: All expectations detailed below are considered American Disabilities Act Essential.

Leadership

• Embraces teamwork by adhering to Nursing Practice Model
• Accepts and responds to change productively, while maintaining a positive attitude
• Demonstrates appropriate workplace behavior and competence in job duties
• Demonstrates basic conflict resolution skills

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Communication

• Maintains awareness of verbal / nonverbal communication in interactions with staff, other departments, physicians, patients and families
• Maintains patient confidentiality in all communication interactions: written, verbal, electronic and digital
• Collaborates and communicates effectively with all members of the health care team
• Demonstrates basic ability to initiate and manage crucial conversations
• Utilizes AIDET (Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Expectations, Thank You) strategies to foster positive communication
• Demonstrates acceptance of supervisory authority, guidance and instruction. Follows appropriate chain of command.
• Reports patient observations and specific problems appropriately
• Interact with clinical students in a positive, productive manner

Operations

• Work habits are consistently adjusted to accommodate multiple responsibilities and are prioritized and completed in an independent and timely manner. Effectively utilizes time management and organizational skills.

• Safely transports patients via wheelchair, beds, and/or carts throughout facility
• Round on patients to identify and meet patient needs and safety issues
• Participates in huddles/team collaboration
• Maintain fall prevention strategies
• Uses appropriate personal protective equipment
• Under the direction of licensed nursing staff:

• Provide appropriate hygiene care for patients
• Provide comfort measures
• Follow infection control guidelines and safety precautions
• Assist patients with nutrition, elimination and activity/mobility
• Specimen collection and transport using appropriate technique
• Completes surgical / procedure prep (if applicable)

• Accurately document care provided in a timely manner

• Demonstrate reasonable and rational judgment in decision making

• Assist with flow of unit:

• Obtains & returns supplies and equipment as directed
• Operates and cleans equipment safely and appropriately. Initiates work orders/ reports to appropriate person
• Cleans and maintains nursing station, report and break rooms, kitchen areas and others as assigned
• Assists with admissions, discharges and transfers

• Other duties as assigned by management team

Customer Service

• Displays positive attitude. Treats others with honesty and respect. Speaks positively in all customer interactions internal and external.
• Assess customer satisfaction when rounding on patients and use appropriate chain of command for unresolved issues or problems
• Use AIDET (Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explanation, Thank You) to:

• Optimize the patient’s experience by reducing the patient and family’s anxiety and increasing the patient’s compliance
• Develop positive relationships with other departments to foster patient satisfaction

• Use face to face resolutions (crucial conversations) to intervene with patients or staff in situations where customer needs have not been met to determine a positive, mutually agreeable resolution

Staff Development / Personal Growth

In conjunction with the Department Director, Department Clinical Manager, or Clinical Nurse Specialist:

• Function as a preceptor, seeking learning opportunities for orientee. Interact with Department Director, Department Clinical Manager, or Clinical Nurse Specialist, to evaluate orientee progress towards goals, identifying additional needs.
• Demonstrate professional growth by participating in committees/unit projects
• Demonstrates initiative and responsibility to develop personal, leadership and career goals
• Accept feedback as opportunity for growth
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of new policies and procedures, practices, changes in practice, and initiatives. Obtains this knowledge via staff meeting attendance, reading of communication, required hospital education, discussion with departmental leadership and peers.

Performance Improvement

• Identify processes to be improved and communicate to management team. Assists in data collection as directed
• Participates on at least one team, project and/or committee: unit, departmental or hospital based
• Develop and maintain awareness of DNV, CMS (Centers for Medicare Services) and other required quality and safety measures
• Develop and maintain ongoing understanding of current practice for the types of patients for whom care is provided

AGE SPECIFIC COMPETENCY

Dependent upon department and the population served:

Neonatal (Birth thru 28 days)

• 
  Handles infants in gentle manner
• Speaks in soothing voice
• Holds and cuddles infant when necessary
• Facilitates parental interaction and care of infant

Infant (29 days thru 12 months)

• 
  Approaches infant in slow, non-threatening way
• Speaks in soothing way
• Holds and cuddles infant as much as possible
• Encourages parental interaction with infant
• Allows for familiar toys/blankets to be brought from home

Pediatrics (one year thru 11 years)

• 
  Allows choices when possible
• Speaks directly using few, clear, simple terms and explanations
• Limits number of strangers entering room
• Provides consistent nursing assignments
• Does not shame parents for lack of cooperation
• Holds child for painful procedures

Adolescents (12 years thru 18 years)

• 
  Allows participation in care and choices as appropriate
• Provides for patient's modesty
• Tells patient exactly what will be expected
• Allows patient control
• Speaks directly to patient in simple medical terms

Geriatrics (65 years and older)

• 
  Identifies physical/social/emotional barriers and physical limitations at discharge
• Teaches patient about one item at a time
• Repeats instructions several times
• Speaks slowly and distinctly when talking to the patient