Patient Care Assistant

Chelmsford Surgery Center, LLC; United States; On-site; USD 29,000 - 48,000; Part time

Job summary

Shields Health is seeking a per diem Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Patient Care Assistant to support nursing staff during daytime, Monday through Friday. You will assist with admitting, prepping, transporting, and discharging patients, while ensuring safety, dignity, and comfort throughout the surgical visit.

Candidates should have a High school diploma and BLS certification; CNA/PCT/MA training preferred.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• CNA/PCT/MA or equivalent healthcare training preferred.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
• Experience in ASC, hospital, outpatient setting, or physician office preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist nursing staff with admitting, preparing, and discharging patients in accordance with policies.
• Escort patients to and from preoperative, postoperative, and discharge areas.
• Obtain and document vital signs, height, weight, pain assessments, and other clinical information.
• Assist with activities of daily living: dressing, ambulation, toileting, positioning.
• Prepare patient care areas by stocking supplies and cleaning equipment.
• Assist with patient transfers using proper body mechanics.
• Observe patients and report changes to the RN.
• Assist with specimen transport and equipment cleaning per infection prevention standards.
• Maintain a clean, organized patient care environment.
• Restock supplies and notify staff when inventory is low.
• Provide compassionate, respectful care while protecting patient privacy.
• Document patient care activities in the EHR.
• Follow infection prevention practices and safety protocols.
• Collaborate with nurses, physicians, and other healthcare team members.

Skills

Patient care

Infection prevention

Communication skills

Organization

Team collaboration

Regulatory knowledge

Confidentiality

Education

High school diploma

CNA/PCT/MA training

BLS certification

ASC/hospital experience preferred

Tools

EHR systems

Job description

Job Summary

Founded in 1972 by Tom and Mary Shields, our family‑owned company began with a single nursing home and a promise: treat every patient the way you would want your mother to be treated. That guiding principle has driven more than five decades of progress, from opening Massachusetts’ first freestanding MRI center to bringing the world’s first AI‑enabled MRI into routine care. Along the way, we’ve achieved countless “firsts” in imaging, PET/CT, and surgical services—always putting patients at the heart of every advancement. Today, with more than 50 locations across New England, Shields honors its founders’ vision by pairing compassionate, patient‑first care with state‑of‑the‑art technology to make world‑class healthcare more accessible to all.

Job Description

This is a per diem opportunity - we are looking for candidates with Monday-Friday daytime availability.

The Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Patient Care Assistant (PCA) is responsible for providing direct and indirect patient care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. The Patient Care Assistant assists with patient preparation, recovery, transportation, and activities of daily living while promoting patient comfort, safety, and dignity. This role supports efficient clinical operations by maintaining patient care areas, assisting the nursing team, and ensuring a positive patient experience throughout the surgical visit.

Job Tasks

• Assist nursing staff with admitting, preparing, and discharging patients in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Escort patients safely throughout the facility, including to and from preoperative, postoperative, and discharge areas.
• Obtain and document patient vital signs, height, weight, pain assessments, and other assigned clinical information.
• Assist patients with activities of daily living, including dressing, ambulation, toileting, and positioning as needed.
• Prepare patient care areas by stocking supplies, cleaning equipment, and ensuring rooms are ready for patient care.
• Assist with patient transfers and positioning using proper body mechanics and safe patient handling techniques.
• Observe patients and promptly report changes in condition or patient concerns to the Registered Nurse.
• Assist with specimen transport, equipment cleaning, and other clinical support activities in accordance with infection prevention standards.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe patient care environment.
• Restock clinical supplies and notify appropriate personnel when inventory levels are low.
• Provide compassionate, courteous, and respectful care while maintaining patient privacy and confidentiality.
• Maintain accurate documentation of assigned patient care activities in the electronic health record (EHR) as appropriate.
• Follow infection prevention practices, standard precautions, and facility safety protocols at all times.
• Collaborate effectively with nurses, physicians, anesthesia providers, and other healthcare team members to promote high‑quality patient care.
• Respond appropriately during emergency situations by assisting the clinical team as directed.
• Maintain excellent communication and professional relationships with patients, families, physicians, and multidisciplinary team members.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Educational Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Completion of a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Patient Care Technician (PCT), Medical Assistant (MA), or equivalent healthcare training program preferred.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
• Previous patient care experience in an Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC), hospital, outpatient setting, or physician office preferred.

Skills and Competencies

• Knowledge of basic patient care techniques, infection prevention practices, and patient safety standards.
• Ability to accurately obtain and document patient vital signs and other assigned clinical information.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with a patient‑centered approach to care.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast‑paced healthcare environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively with Registered Nurses, physicians, anesthesia providers, and other healthcare professionals.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements, including OSHA, HIPAA, CMS, and Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) or other applicable accreditation standards.
• Ability to maintain patient confidentiality and always demonstrate professionalism.
• Ability to stand, walk, reach, bend, lift, push, and pull throughout the workday.
• Capable of safely assisting with lifting, positioning, transferring, and transporting patients in accordance with established safety protocols and patient care standards.

Additional Job Description

Pay range for this position is $21-$35/hr + benefits. Individual pay is based on skills, experience, and other relevant factors. It is not intended that this Job Description include all details of the work functions of this position.

Shields Health is an equal opportunity employer.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Shields Health is an independent, Massachusetts-based leader in healthcare services, known for blending exceptional patient care with cutting‑edge technology. With over 50 years of proven success, we’re proud to be one of the most sought‑after names in the industry.

At Shields, we don’t just deliver high‑quality diagnostic imaging – we foster a culture of belonging and inclusivity, where every individual is valued.

We offer unmatched career growth, a collaborative and supportive work environment, and exciting opportunities to learn, innovate, and thrive together. Our employees take enormous pride in delivering the best quality services with enthusiasm, commitment, and compassion. Ours is a family‑owned and operated business, committed to playing a leading role in the continued advancement of medical imaging, but grounded in the same family values of caring and support – which we practice internally as well as with our patients.