Patient Care Associate

University of Mississippi Medical Center; Canton (MS); On-site; USD 19,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Mississippi Medical Center is seeking a Patient Care Associate (PCA) to assist nurses in providing care and support for patients. The role emphasizes daily living activities, comfort, and basic care needs while promoting a safe and respectful environment.

The PCA contributes to patient well-being and daily operations across the medical center. Responsibilities include assisting with activities of daily living, responding to call lights, monitoring patient status, and helping

Qualifications

• Basic communication, interpersonal, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to perform physical tasks related to patient care safely.
• Basic computer skills for documentation and electronic recordkeeping (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Provide compassionate support to patients by addressing needs, listening to concerns, and assisting with comfort and emotional well-being.
• Assist patients with activities of daily living, including bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, feeding, and mobility.
• Respond promptly to call lights and communicate patient requests to nurses or other healthcare team members.
• Monitor and report changes in patient condition or behavior to the nurse or supervisor.
• Escort and assist patients to various locations within the facility as needed.
• Assist with meal service and monitor food and fluid intake.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized patient environment, including room setup, equipment cleanup, and adherence to infection control practices.
• Support nursing staff and other clinical team members with non-technical patient care tasks as assigned.
• Assist with basic documentation related to patient care activities.
• The duties listed are general in nature and are examples of the duties and responsibilities performed and are not meant to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Management retains the right to add or change duties at any time.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Physical task handling

Basic computer skills

Education

High school diploma/GED

Job description

Job Description: The Patient Care Associate (PCA) assists nurses in providing care and treatment to patients. This role focuses on supporting patient daily living activities, comfort, and basic care needs while promoting a safe and respectful environment. The PCA contributes to the overall mission of the medical center by assisting with patient well-being and daily operations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Basic communication, interpersonal, and teamwork skills. Ability to perform physical tasks related to patient care safely. Basic computer skills for documentation and electronic recordkeeping (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Provide compassionate support to patients by addressing needs, listening to concerns, and assisting with comfort and emotional well-being.
• Assist patients with activities of daily living, including bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, feeding, and mobility.
• Respond promptly to call lights and communicate patient requests to nurses or other healthcare team members.
• Monitor and report changes in patient condition or behavior to the nurse or supervisor.
• Escort and assist patients to various locations within the facility as needed.
• Assist with meal service and monitor food and fluid intake.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized patient environment, including room setup, equipment cleanup, and adherence to infection control practices.
• Support nursing staff and other clinical team members with non-technical patient care tasks as assigned.
• Assist with basic documentation related to patient care activities.
• The duties listed are general in nature and are examples of the duties and responsibilities performed and are not meant to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Management retains the right to add or change duties at any time.

Physical and Environmental Demands

Requires occasional exposure to unpleasant or disagreeable physical environment such as high noise level and exposure to heat and cold, occasional handling or working with potentially dangerous equipment, frequent exposure to biohazardous conditions such as risk of radiation exposure, blood borne pathogens, fumes or airborne particles, and/or toxic or caustic chemicals which mandate attention to safety considerations, frequent activities subject to significant volume changes of a seasonal/clinical nature, constant work produced subject to precise measures of quantity and quality, occasional bending, occasional lifting and carrying more than 100 pounds, occasional climbing, occasional crawling, occasional crouching/stooping, occasional kneeling, occasional pushing/pulling, occasional reaching, occasional sitting, constant standing, frequent twisting, and constant walking. (occasional-up to 20%, frequent-from 21% to 50%, constant-51% or more)

Requirements

Education and Experience Required:

High school diploma/GED

Certifications, Licenses, or Registration required:

Basic Life Support from the American Heart Association or Heartsaver (CPR) from the American Heart Association post-hire within three (3) months.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in a healthcare or caregiving setting.