The Patient Care Assistant (PCA), under the direction of a licensed care giver, and after education and demonstration of competency, performs a variety of clinical and non-clinical tasks specific to the unit/needs of the patient population. S/He maintains competency skills including the ability to provide care to special patient populations and patients with diverse cultural backgrounds. S/He can identify safety concerns in the age-related population, report finding to registered nurse, institute additional measures to provide a safe environment, and identify developmental milestones in the age-related population.

• Identifies physical, emotional, and social needs of patients and reports findings to the registered nurse.
• Participates in the implementation of patient care and contributes to the plan under the supervision of the registered nurse.
• Assists with the collection of lab specimens.
• Present for the safety and comfort of patients, families, and significant others.
• Reduces the risk of health care acquired infection by complying with current standard precaution guidelines and isolation policy.
• Communicates patient’s needs to nurses and doctors as appropriate.
• Prepares patients for procedures as directed by the registered nurse or physician and prepares patient rooms and stretchers as necessary and required.
• Provides therapeutic communication, re-direction, reality orientation, effective motivation of patients to participate in activities and adequate observations to assure safety.
• Takes responsibility for reporting problems and/or patient complaints.
• Provides patient safety and comfort by utilizing resources and materials to safely transport patients using age-appropriate methods and equipment, answer patients’ requests, and report observations of the patient to charge nurse or RN.
• Ensures environmental cleanliness in patient rooms and patient care areas.
• Accompanies patients for any tests/procedures if necessary.
• Assists patients with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) if required.
• Assists patient mobilization and out of stretcher activities if required.
• Participates in all initiatives that assist in reducing the risk of patient harm by following safety precautions.