Patient Care Assistant-Medical Respiratory Unit 7 North

DCH Health System•Tuscaloosa, AL

23h•Onsite

About The Position

Our Medical Respiratory Unit is a 42-bed unit primarily specializing in the care of acute and chronic respiratory conditions. This unit provides care to predominately respiratory patients requiring treatment for pneumonia, shortness of breath, COPD or other various lung diseases. In addition, this unit will further provide care to a variety of medical patients with GI issues, diabetes, and occasional stroke and surgical patients. Patients in this area benefit from daily rounds with the entire interdisciplinary team. This unit will soon house a step-down unit for more acute respiratory patients. Patient care assistants are an essential part of the patient care team providing daily care and emotional support to patients when they need it most. By observing patients carefully, they are the eyes and ears of our clinical staff, making sure our healthcare team has everything they need to assist with the healing journey of our patients and their families. Responsibilities Provides compassionate personal care and support services under the supervision of a registered nurse or LPN. Collaborates with nurses, physicians and other healthcare providers to oversee and monitor patients to support healing.

Requirements

Approved previous experience in giving patient care or completion of in-service education classes
High school education or equivalent
Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.
BLS required or achieved within first 90 days of employment.

Responsibilities

Receive RN report at start of shift
Walking rounds and shift report with off going PCA to ensure patients clean and dry/ rooms clean
Apply cardiac monitoring; Change all cardiac monitor batteries at 7am (on designated units?)
Document patient bedside rounds q2h (odd hours)
Conduct 4 P’s on every round: Pain, Position, Potty, Perimeter
Document patient vital signs q4h (or as ordered)
Daily Glucometer QC (Night shift)
Bathe patients daily (change for pts with central lines)
Replace EKG pads (cardiac monitor) daily with baths
Daily linen change
Assist patient with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) - ie. brushing/mouth care, feeding patient, assisting with toileting, etc.)
Obtain blood sugars on all diabetic patients and document
Stock isolation caddies in halls and rooms are stocked for next shift
Keep patient rooms clean and free from clutter (empty urinals, commodes, food, clutter, etc)
Empty trash from assigned rooms as needed and prior to change of shift
Answer call lights in a timely manner
Initiate or continue pressure ulcer bundle (consult with RN for Braden scores)
Turn/Reposition patients every 2 hours in bed or chair
Initiate or continue Fall Prevention protocol (see Unit Secretary for Morse Scores)
Weigh all patients on admission and every Wednesday at 5am (unless patient is a daily weight) standing scale preferred
Prepare rooms for admission (admission bucket-bath basin, soap, kleenex, water pitcher, etc.)
Update patient whiteboards daily.
Daily bath on night shift – DIALYSIS / Pre-Procedural patients
Fresh Ice given at 1700/0500 for start of next shift
Vital sign machines wiped down and stocked for next shift
Assists in orientation of new staff
Other duties as assigned
Measure and Record Intake/Output
Accurately documents care provided according to policies and procedures.
Applies safety principles when performing care such as ambulation of patients, transferring patients, assisting with normal range of motion, and positioning, and fall prevention techniques.
Participates in cost saving utilization of supplies
Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees
Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.
Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
All other duties as assigned.