Patient Care Associate, 6a-6p, PRN, Float Pool

Unity Health; Searcy (AR); On-site; USD 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Unity Health in Searcy, Arkansas is seeking a nursing assistant to provide direct and indirect patient care. This role requires assistance with personal hygiene, observing patients' conditions, and maintaining a safe, clean environment.

The ideal candidate must have a high school diploma or equivalent, possess good communication skills, and be able to handle physical demands, including lifting and moving patients. Previous experience is desirable but not required.

Qualifications

• Ability to assist with personal hygiene needs and observe patients' conditions.
• Experience as a nursing assistant or in a patient-related position is desirable.
• Understanding of infection control and safety guidelines is mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Perform direct and indirect patient care duties under RN and LPN guidance.
• Maintain a clean and safe environment for patients.
• Support patients’ basic human, mental, spiritual, and social needs.

Skills

Patient care assistance

Communication skills

Math skills

Housekeeping skills

Education

High school graduation or equivalent

Job description

Job Qualifications

• Education: High school graduation or equivalent required. Ability to read, use simple math skills, and write clearly and legibly.
• Training and Experience: Previous experience as a nursing assistant or in another patient‑related position desirable but not required.
• Job Knowledge: Ability to perform duties for direct and indirect patient care. Direct care duties include but are not limited to assisting the patient with personal hygiene needs and observing the patient’s condition, including vital signs, feeding and elimination patterns. Indirect duties may include general housekeeping skills, ordering and maintaining supplies, and simple computer entry ability.
• Safety Sensitive: YES
  Unity Health has classified some positions as “safety sensitive.” An “safety sensitive” position is one in which impaired performance could result in harm to the health and/or safety of self or others. Associates who are actively engaged in the use of medical marijuana, even with a valid medical marijuana card, are excluded from employment in a “safety sensitive” position.

Description

Performs direct and indirect patient care duties under the guidance and direction of the RN and LPN. Responsible for implementing components of the plan of care through the initiation and completion of procedures related to basic human, mental, spiritual, and social needs; comfort and safety measures; activities of daily living; personal care needs; nutrition and fluid needs; and elimination needs. Indirect patient care includes, but is not limited to, cleaning occupied and unoccupied patient areas and maintaining an environment that is neat and free of hazards to the patient’s well‑being. An understanding of and willingness to follow infection control and safety guidelines is mandatory. Supports the organization’s mission, vision, and values.

Physical Requirements

Maintains good physical and emotional well‑being. The job requires a considerable amount of physical work, including lifting and moving patients, pushing carts, wheelchairs, and other equipment, and lifting or pushing up to 50 pounds. The individual must be able to bend over to perform certain duties, such as assisting a patient in putting on footwear and checking urinary output. The individual must also be able to maneuver throughout halls, stairways, and patient rooms in response to hospital emergencies. Visual and auditory skills are required for interpreting environmental input. A significant amount of writing and computer entry is required. Trips to various departments will be required. The position has heavy exposure to malodorous, infectious body fluids and minimal exposure to noxious smells from cleansing agents. Exposure to infectious wastes and body fluids may require wearing gloves, masks, gowns, and goggles.