Patient Care Assistant (PCA) – Multiple Openings

Houston Methodist; Baytown (TX); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Houston Methodist is hiring a Patient Care Assistant (PCA) in Baytown, Texas. This role involves assisting with basic patient needs and working under the supervision of licensed nurses. Candidates should possess a high school diploma or equivalent and BLS certification. The position offers both full-time and part-time opportunities, focusing on patient-centered care within a supportive and flexible environment. If you're looking for a rewarding job within a reputable organization, consider applying for this position.

Qualifications

• Must have a BLS certification.
• High School diploma or equivalent education required.
• Experience in direct patient care or enrolled in a nursing program preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in delivering patient care under the supervision of licensed nurses.
• Perform basic patient care activities including hygiene and nutrition.
• Document care administered and relevant patient observations.

Skills

Communication

Basic nursing tasks

Patient care

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Tools

BLS – Basic Life Support certification

Job description

We are currently hiring for multiple positions in the Patient Care Assistant (PCA) role. We have both full‑time and part‑time opportunities across various shifts. By applying to this requisition, you will be considered for existing and future openings that match your skills and availability. Candidates whose qualifications exceed the minimum requirements will be considered for higher‑level roles based on experience, additional qualifications, and business needs. Depending on education, experience, and skill level, you may have the opportunity to work as a PCA, Unit Admin Assistant, or PCA Specialist. If you’re looking for a rewarding opportunity with flexibility and a great company culture, we encourage you to apply today.

At Houston Methodist, the Patient Care Assistant (PCA) position is responsible for functioning as a novice to competent in performing basic nursing assistant level tasks for an age‑specific, diverse patient population. The PCA assists in delivering patient care and services under the supervision of a licensed nurse. Responsibilities include hourly rounding to ensure patient needs are met and recording data as established by policy and procedure, reporting observations and patient problems to the licensed nurse, and performing basic patient care activities of daily living (ADLs) within unit‑specific limits and job scope such as assistance with patient elimination, hygiene, comfort, safety, nutrition, and progress activities. The PCA practices patient and family centered care in concert with Houston Methodist ICARE values.

FLSA STATUS

Non‑exempt

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post‑secondary education, etc.)

EXPERIENCE

• Must complete one of the following:
• PCA externship
• PCA internal internship
• Six months of direct patient care experience
• Enrolled in a nursing program with a completed first clinical rotation

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

• BLS – Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) – American Heart Association

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, as determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations.
• Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing English necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security.
• Effectively communicates with patients, physicians, family members and co‑workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles.
• Performs basic patient care activities of daily living (ADLs) within unit‑specific limits and job scope, such as assistance with patient elimination, hygiene, comfort, safety, nutrition, and progress activities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes a positive work environment with the interprofessional care team. Participates in teamwork by responding positively to requests for assistance and works well with others to make contributions to the work effort as a whole and facilitate problem resolution.
• Interacts with peers, staff, and physicians in a supportive and respectful manner. Encourages open communication to achieve mutual understanding. Communications to promote both work efforts and problem resolution are clear and professional. Collaborates with all members of the interprofessional team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information in a clear and timely manner.
• Provides contributions toward improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e., peer‑to‑peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Follows patient and family‑centered care standards and provides direct patient care under the direction of a registered nurse. Documents, where applicable, care administered, diagnostic measurements, treatments and procedures in accordance with established policies and procedures. Responds to the call light system, contacting nursing personnel as appropriate, and follows through with meeting patient needs.
• Assists with maintaining, cleaning, and stocking of equipment and supplies as established on the assigned unit. May serve as an in‑house courier, retrieving blood, hand‑delivering labs, tele boxes, etc. Organizes workflow, problem‑solves basic and routine matters, and manages multiple ongoing priorities, seeking guidance and assistance from preceptor, licensed nurse, or management.
• Contributes toward improving department scores for patient satisfaction through peer‑to‑peer accountability, i.e., bedside shift handoff/report.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Reports observations, conditions, and problems of patients to licensed personnel to achieve desired patient outcomes. Provides for the privacy of patients and families, keeping the safety of the patient in mind.
• Provides appropriate hand‑off at change of shift at patient bedside to communicate and collaborate, promoting patient‑centered care.
• Conducts hourly rounding to ensure patient needs are met (four P’s). Reports near misses and collaborates with the interprofessional health care team to improve patient safety.
• Contributes toward improving quality and safety scores through peer‑to‑peer accountability. Supports initiatives to prevent conditions such as pressure injuries, patient falls, and hospital‑acquired infections.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists with patient and staffing needs (floats) across the service line or hospital as competencies allow. Utilizes time between heavy workloads efficiently.
• Utilizes resources with cost‑effectiveness and value creation in mind. Self‑motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, minimizing incidental overtime, and assisting coworkers as needed.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Offers innovative solutions in performance improvement projects and shared governance activities.
• Seeks opportunities to identify self‑development needs on knowledge base, skill level and decision‑making, as necessary, especially in areas of question, from preceptor and assigned licensed personnel and takes appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an ongoing basis.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• WORK ATTIRE
  • Uniform: No
  • Scrubs: Yes
  • Business professional: No
  • Other (department approved): Yes
• ON‑CALL Everyone will be required to be on‑call during emergencies (disaster, severe weather events, etc.) regardless of selection below. No on‑call.
• TRAVEL May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area: No May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area: No