Patient Care Assistant (PCA) - Dermatology

Dartmouth-Hitchcock; Lebanon (NH); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated individual to join their team in a vital support role within patient care. This position involves a variety of clerical and non-clinical tasks, ensuring that patient areas are well-supplied and maintained to the highest standards. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment, showcasing strong organizational and customer service skills. By collaborating with a multidisciplinary team, you will contribute to delivering exceptional care and enhancing patient experiences. If you are passionate about supporting healthcare professionals and making a difference in patients' lives, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with excellent organizational skills.
• Collaboration with a multidisciplinary team to provide high-quality care.

Responsibilities

• Acts as front-line representative of the patient care area.
• Maintains a clean and safe environment in patient care areas.
• Participates in medication conveyance and regulatory readiness activities.

Skills

Organizational Skills

Customer Service

Team Collaboration

Prioritization

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Overview

Under the direction of the nurse leader, provides assistance with clerical, non-clinical tasks. These tasks include, but are not limited to, ensuring that clinical areas are well-supplied and stocked, and that patient care areas are clean and ready for patients. This position requires the ability to work in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment with an emphasis on teamwork and prioritizing responsibilities. The individual may have direct access to drug products and secure medication areas (excluding controlled substance locations) to manage storage, handling, and disposal of medications in accordance with the Medication Storage and Handling Policy.

Responsibilities

1. Acts as front-line representative of the patient care area.
2. Performs tasks to ensure the patient care area is well supplied, including ordering, restocking, and monitoring for outdates.
3. Maintains a clean and safe environment by caring for and cleaning equipment, maintaining cleanliness of patient/clinic rooms and work areas, and keeping hallways clear of clutter.
4. Performs low-level disinfection and adheres to infection prevention principles.
5. Performs quality checks of point-of-care testing machines.
6. Checks emergency stations daily and monitors medication refrigerator temperatures when appropriate.
7. Escorts patients throughout the building and assists with wheelchairs as needed.
8. Answers telephone calls and supports the overall functioning of the department.
9. Prepares patient forms with demographic information.
10. Delivers specimens to the laboratory and runs errands to other departments.
11. Participates in regulatory readiness activities and employs safety standards such as repeat-back, SBAR, and huddle attendance.
12. Participates in medication conveyance following the Medication Storage and Handling Policy.
13. Performs other duties as required or assigned.

Additional Responsibilities for Clinic/Outpatient Settings

• Greets patients and assists with rooming patients.
• Prepares patients, rooms, and equipment for procedures and exams.
• Assists patients in completing questionnaires.
• Maintains up-to-date, organized charts in compliance with Health Information Services (HIS) requirements.

Additional Responsibilities for Inpatient Settings

• Participates in patient admission processes, including room setup after EVS cleaning.
• Greets patients upon arrival and completes standard admission tasks.
• Prepares patients, rooms, and equipment for procedures and exams.
• Assists with discharge readiness, including gathering patient belongings and assisting with dressing.
• Completes room strip-down after discharge.
• Returns medications to the pharmacy return bin from the medication cart.
• Completes hourly patient rounding for safety and experience, using a script/checklist.
• Delivers meal trays and assists patients with eating.
• Sets up and assists with personal care, provides clean gowns, and changes linens.
• Performs patient sitting for those requiring 1:1 observation after training.
• Assists with lifting, positioning, and dressing patients.
• Answers call lights and directs patient needs appropriately.
• Stocks equipment from central locations to nurse server as needed.

Qualifications

• High school diploma (or GED) strongly preferred.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with excellent organizational, customer service, and prioritization skills.
• Ability to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to provide high-quality care.

Required Licensure/Certifications

• BLS certification within 30 days of hire.