PCA II (SACU, PACU) Nursing Support Worcester, Massachusetts Description
Position at UMass Memorial Medical Center Requisition #: 182457 Title:
Patient Care Associate (PACU & SACU) Department: Surgical Admissions
Grade: NSG4 Posting Date: April 24 2018 Status: Non-Exempt Shift:
Evenings Hours: 40 Shift Length: 8 hours Location: UMass Memorial
Medical Center University Campus Requires CNA certificate with High
School Diploma or equivalent. Excellent Communication Skills Computer
skills with EPIC Requires transporting of Patients to and from Nursing
Units Moving and transporting equipment. Can anticipate the needs of the
Peri-anesthesia patient with equipment/supplies 5 - 8 hour evening 2:30
- 11 pm every third weekend and every third Holiday UMass Memorial
Medical Center is the region's trusted academic medical center, and part
of the UMass Memorial Health Care system. We are committed to improving
the health of people in Central Massachusetts through excellence in
care, comprehensive health services, teaching and research. Position
Summary: Under the direction of the Perioperative Services Registered
Nurse(s) (RN) and in keeping with unit specific standards, provides
patient care to meet the personal needs and comfort of patients; and
assists members of the health care team. As an integral member of the
patient care team, serves both internal and external customers including
patients, nurses, physicians and other colleagues who support the
delivery of care and services throughout Perioperative Services.
Position Qualifications: Minimum of a high school education or GED
required. Current CNA or EMT license or Certified Medical Assistant is
preferred, and one of the following qualifications is required: Prior
clinical experience or acute care training, or Nursing student who has
completed at least one clinical rotation, or One year experience as a
PCA I inpatient and has completed all unit based competency
requirements. Current Basic Life Support or Heart Saver certification
required. Computer experience preferred Medical Terminology preferred.
Must be able to read, write and communicate in English in a clear and
concise manner. Must utilize proper safety techniques and body mechanics
in all work related activities. Must have strong interpersonal skills to
gather information from individuals, build relationships that support
collaborative work within the department and across the organization and
provide exceptional service to patients. Must have proven interpersonal
skills to provide respectful, culturally and age appropriate
communication with patients, staff, family, visitors and others. Must
have proven problem-solving abilities for routine situations and
requests assistance from identified resources when additional direction
is needed. Must be able to remain calm when under stress or in emergency
situations. Demonstrates sensitivity and responsiveness to patients
needs by acting as a source of information and approaches all
interactions with the intention of building positive rapport and
relationships. Major Responsibilities: Provides clear, timely
communication to the RN regarding observations and changes seen in
patient/s. Examples, but not limited to changes in skin condition, vital
signs, and/or mental status. Participates in the development and
maintenance of a safe environment. Works to utilize interventions to
de-escalate patients and if unsuccessful, participates in restraints in
accordance with training and education as directed. Assists patient with
activities of daily living such as personal hygiene, ambulating, meals
and nourishment. Assists in moving, lifting, positioning and
transporting patients by utilizing proper safety techniques and body
mechanics in all work related activities. Maintains patient safety by
performing patient safety checks, utilizing fall prevention alternative
devices/strategies as directed, and following the Restraint Policy
standards when caring for a restrained patient. Takes and records vital
signs (temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure and pulse
oxymetry). Measures and records patients height and weight. Performs
EKGs, phlebotomy, performs Point of Care (POC) tests and bladder
scanning according to hospital standards. Collects, labels and prepares
specimens for transport to lab. Performs other selected unit specific
procedures such as battery changes for telemetry units, checking status
of unit equipment, cleaning equipment between patients and proper
storage of supplies. Assists RN/Licensed Independent Practitioner with
treatments and procedures by preparing patient; obtaining and setting up
equipment and supplies, such as intravenous and hemodynamic lines, and
utilize sterile technique when indicated. Assists with positioning the
patient and providing the patient with emotional support. Cleans up
equipment and supplies following the treatment and/or procedure.
Observes, measures, records oral food and fluid intake. Sets up full
strength tube feeding solutions and refills tube feeding bags as
directed. Empties and records output, as approved, from a variety of
sources, e.g., foley catheter, ostomy appliances and drainage systems.
Performs ostomy care on established ostomate patients as directed.
Provided appropriate training/competencies have taken place, assists
with patient admissions, transfers and discharge procedures. Functions
as a unit secretary having administrative responsibilities including,
but not limited to, maintaining logs, organizing patient care charts for
admission/discharge/transfer and maintenance of medical records. Enters
data or retrieves medical information from the electronic medical record
systems. Answers telephone using appropriate telephone etiquette. Takes
and relays messages. Utilizes intra-department communication systems,
such as pagers and intercom. Replenishes patient and unit supplies and
equipment. Complies with center-wide policies and with nursing
department as well as unit based policies, procedures, and guidelines.
Attends staff meetings and in-service programs as required or directed.
Keeps current with hospital and unit changes by reading communication
boards and/or books, bulleting boards, posted notices and reads and
responds to UMMHC e mails on a regular basis. Participates in unit based
quality improvement initiatives. Complies with required health, safety
and HIPAA requirements. Respects diverse views and approaches and
contributes in maintaining an environment of professionalism, tolerance,
civility and acceptance toward all employees, patients and visitors.
Performs other similar and related duties as required or directed. All
responsibilities are essential job functions unless noted otherwise.