Patient Care Assistant - PCA - Critical Care

Reading Hospital; Reading (Berks County); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Earned time off

Enhanced tuition assistance

Retirement savings with employer match

Life insurance

Shared Governance and Career Advance-

Job summary

Reading Hospital is seeking a Patient Care Assistant (PCA) to provide nursing support under the supervision of a registered nurse. Responsibilities include assisting with daily living activities, basic patient care, and ensuring patient flow and safety within high‑acuity units.

The role offers Full‑Time opportunities with 12‑hour shifts (night and day) and a comprehensive benefits package including tuition assistance and retirement savings.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• BLS Certification required.
• Direct patient care experience preferred, but not required.
• Additional PA Nurse Aide Certification required for Transitional Sub‑Acute Unit (TSU) at Reading Health Rehabilitation Hospital.

Responsibilities

• Assist daily living activities including bathing, changing, toileting, dressing, etc.
• Perform light housekeeping in patient rooms and maintain cleanliness in utility rooms, linen closets, and hallways.
• Provide clinical patient care that does not require a nursing license.
• Manage call lights, phone operations, and orient patient families/visitors, ensuring patient care areas are properly stocked.
• Maintain correct electronic medical records and document all patient care interactions.
• Review and discuss patient care plans and ongoing activities with the assigned Registered Nurse.
• Maintain efficient patient flow by monitoring room availability and patient intakes/discharges.
• Clean patient rooms after discharge with nursing staff assistance and dispose of items in proper containers; process reusable items for sterilization.
• Demonstrate knowledge and execution of patient safety practices.
• Conduct professional behavior in all aspects of the job while working within a team setting.

Skills

Excellent communication

Excellent interpersonal skills

Education

Must be at least 18 years of age

Job description

Job Summary

The Patient Care Assistant (PCA) is responsible for providing nursing care to patients under the supervision and direction of a registered nurse. Responsibilities include assisting with daily living activities, light housekeeping, clinical patient care that does not require a nursing license, call light and phone operations, patient documentation, and patient flow management.

Shift Information

All shifts may be available: Full‑Time, Night Shift and Day shift. The Critical Care Division utilizes 12 hour shifts.

Responsibilities

• Assist daily living activities including bathing, changing, toileting, dressing, etc.
• Perform light housekeeping in patient rooms and maintain cleanliness in utility rooms, linen closets, and hallways.
• Provide clinical patient care that does not require a nursing license.
• Manage call lights, phone operations, and orient patient families/visitors, ensuring patient care areas are properly stocked.
• Maintain correct electronic medical records and document all patient care interactions.
• Review and discuss patient care plans and ongoing activities with the assigned Registered Nurse.
• Maintain efficient patient flow by monitoring room availability and patient intakes/discharges.
• Clean patient rooms after discharge with nursing staff assistance and dispose of items in proper containers; process reusable items for sterilization.
• Demonstrate knowledge and execution of patient safety practices.
• Conduct professional behavior in all aspects of the job while working within a team setting.

Benefits

• Earned time off
• Enhanced tuition assistance
• Retirement savings with employer match
• Life insurance
• Shared Governance and Career Advancement Program
• Flexible scheduling
• Generous benefits and pay
• Tower Advance Pay for financial convenience

Qualifications

Education Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age.

Experience

• Direct patient care experience preferred, but not required.

Certification and Licensure

• BLS Certification required.
• Additional PA Nurse Aide Certification required for Transitional Sub‑Acute Unit (TSU) at Reading Health Rehabilitation Hospital.

Required Skills

• Excellent communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

Unit Options

• Oncology – 27‑bed unit caring for adult, geriatric, surgical gynecology, sickle cell patients, and inpatient hospice.
• Cardiac IMU – 30‑bed ‘Silver’ level unit with complex cardiovascular patient populations.
• Neuro/Trauma IMU – 30‑bed unit specializing in intermediate neuro‑trauma patient care.
• Orthopedic/Trauma – 30‑bed adult and geriatric critical care unit for orthopedic, trauma, neurosurgical, joint replacement, and medical overflow patients.

Why Reading Hospital?

• 2025 America’s 50 Best Hospitals Award
• Excellence Awards: Stroke Care, Neurosciences, Pulmonary Care, Critical Care
• Magnet Status
• Level 1 Trauma Center
• Top Ten Hospital in Pennsylvania ranking
• 5‑Star rating for overall hospital quality