Patient Care Associate

Job Title: Patient Care Associate (PCA)
Shift: Night Shift (11:00 PM – 7:15 AM), Every Other Week (EOW)
Schedule: 5 days/week, 7.5 hours/day, 37.5 hours/week
Contract Duration: 8 weeks
Location: New York, NY
Float Required: Med Surg / Tele / ICU units
Pay Rate: $21/hour negotiable

Role Overview:
As a vital member of the clinical care team, the Patient Care Associate supports registered nurses by assisting with direct patient care and support activities to ensure patient-centered care within specialty services. This role requires performing clinical procedures, assisting with daily living activities, maintaining a safe environment, and collaborating closely with the healthcare team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Patient Care & Monitoring:
  • Measure and document vital signs (BP, pulse, temperature, respirations) and pain scores (except pediatrics).
  • Record intake/output and other assigned clinical data.
  • Assist patients with activities of daily living (feeding, bathing, mouth care, toileting, ambulation).
  • Perform clinical procedures: specimen collection, venipuncture, EKG, compression device application, post-mortem care, and skin maintenance.
• Environmental Maintenance:
  • Maintain a safe, clean, and comfortable clinical environment.
  • Assist with bed-stripping, trash removal, and emergency clean-up as needed.
• Patient Safety & Observation:
  • Conduct one-to-one or close observation for patient safety, including elopement and suicide prevention.
  • Maintain isolation protocols under RN direction.
  • Perform purposeful rounding focused on toileting, comfort, positioning, and pain, documenting findings accordingly.
• Support Services:
  • Assist with dietary needs: tray delivery/collection, menu assistance, nutritional supplement preparation, and reporting eating variations.
  • Transport patients using stretchers or wheelchairs.
  • Operate pneumatic tube system and update communication boards, admission/discharge logs, and medical records as needed.
• Communication & Teamwork:
  • Collaborate effectively with clinical staff and support cultural diversity and individual patient needs.
  • Use Vocera communication system according to protocol.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Education & Certification:
  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • BLS (AHA) certification required (Heart Saver or equivalent accepted).
• Experience & Training:
  • 2 years hospital experience required.
  • Successful completion of Patient Care Associate Orientation Program preferred.
  • 3-9 months of healthcare experience preferred.
• Skills:
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills in English (oral and written).
  • Ability to prioritize, problem-solve, and exercise good judgment under pressure.
  • Physical stamina and manual dexterity to perform diverse clinical tasks.
  • Flexibility to float across Med Surg, Tele, and ICU units.