PCA Patient Care Assistant Emergency Department

at  Ascension

REQUIREMENTS

Licensure / Certification / Registration:

• BLS Provider credentialed from the American Heart Association (AHA) obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date required.
• Certified Nurse Aide credentialed from the Michigan Nurse Aide Registry preferred.

Education:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent required.

A Patient Care Assistant (PCA) assists in direct patient care, general clerical duties and other related services as assigned under the direction of a Registered Nurse. The PCA reports to the Resource Nurse or Module Leader in the area of assignment and is accountable to the department’s Nurse Leader and/or the House Supervisor on duty.

• Provide direct care to the entire patient population served, which may include children, adolescents, adults, and geriatrics. Direct care includes meeting physical and emotional needs of all patients, family and significant others served.
• Unit-specific competencies will be achieved and maintained within a time frame as determined by the department Nurse Leader.
• Assist patients with activities of daily living (ADL).
• Perform blood glucose monitoring through finger stick method.
• Discontinue Foley catheters.
• Discontinue IV angiocaths and saline-locks.
• Order and store supplies.
• Document effectively and appropriately in the patient’s electronic medical record.
• Obtain Vitals signs and report abnormal findings to RN.
• Record I & O accurately and report inconsistencies to RN.
• Perform chest compressions as a member of the code 100 team.
• Assist with physician order entry, scheduling procedures, and chart preparation as needed.
• Effectively document and/or communicate all information relevant to patient care.
• Answer patients’ requests promptly and respond appropriately.
• Report observations, assessments, and changes in condition, interventions and responses to intervention in a timely manner to the RN.
• Participate in performance improvement activities for the unit and the department of nursing.
• Participate in staff orientation activities and peer support for new PCA’s.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.