Patient Care Associate-Med/Surgery

NYC Health + Hospitals; New York (NY); On-site; USD 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx seeks a dedicated health care assistant to support nursing staff and deliver patient-centered care under supervision. Responsibilities include taking vital signs, assisting with specimens and lab prep, basic first aid, preparing exam rooms, documenting in the EMR, and coordinating patient flow across departments to ensure safe, efficient care.

This role emphasizes teamwork, safety, and compassionate communication in a fast-paced hospital

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• BLS certification required.
• Training in phlebotomy and EKG performed during program or clinicals.

Responsibilities

• Check vital signs and collect basic patient data.
• Instruct and assist with specimen collection and lab prep.
• Perform basic first aid and prepare examination rooms.
• Document patient information and findings in the EMR.
• Coordinate patient movement and interdepartmental referrals.
• Maintain inventory and sanitation of work area.

Skills

Vital signs assessment

Phlebotomy

EKG testing

Teamwork

Patient care

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

BLS certification

Phlebotomy and EKG training

Tools

EMR documentation

Job description

Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center is one of New York City’s premier acute care hospitals. Located in Downtown Bronx, Lincoln is a teaching hospital renowned for its Centers of Excellence, and a recognized industry leader in the implementation of state-of-the art medical technology and best practices. Our team of highly trained and caring medical professionals is dedicated to providing the highest quality health care that is safe, compassionate, culturally competent and patient-centered. Comprehensive services are offered in three major primary care areas: Medicine, Pediatrics, and Women’s Health in addition to more than eighty (80) specialty services. At Lincoln, the safety and comfort of our patients is our number one priority. At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality care health services, without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons.

Duties & Responsibilities

Purpose of Position

Under direct supervision of a licensed Nurse or other professional medical staff in a health care setting, performs a variety of clerical and health-related essential duties and responsibilities associated with patient care; performs related work.

Examples Of Typical Tasks

• Checks vital signs, weighs, and measures patients, obtains specimens and records findings on patient’s chart.
• Instructs patients on how to obtain specimens for laboratory testing and performs basic specimen screening testing through dipstick and hemoccult.
• Prepares collected specimens for pick-up by labeling and preparing required form(s).
• Performs vision and hearing testing and simple urinalysis.
• Administers emergency first aid, including basic life support procedures.
• Performs simple first aid such as dressing changes, bandaging and cleansing of wounds, irrigation and cleansing of ears.
• Prepares patient for examination and assists medical provider during examination by providing necessary supplies/equipment.
• Prepares examination room including cleaning and disinfecting of instruments and equipment.
• Informs patients on proper preparation for various medical testing.
• Interviews patient to obtain routine personal and medical information and appropriate health history.
• Maintains, completes, processes and files patients’ charts, appropriate forms and documents.
• Reports observations of patient to clinical staff caring for patient to ensure professional assessment.
• Answers routine inquiries of patients in person or via telephone and makes appropriate referrals.
• Provides information to patients and their families regarding health care services and the achievement of healthy, safe living.
• Maintains inventory of the unit’s equipment stock and supplies.
• Works effectively as a team member in the delivery of care and assists in the orientation of new employees.
• Directs and escorts patients to other departments and/or health care settings, as needed.
• Coordinates efforts of various clinic and health care setting departments in scheduling and re-booking appointments through manual and/or automated systems and enters pertinent patient information into the Electronic Medical Record systems.
• Obtains blood specimens for laboratory testing by performing venipuncture and/or fingerstick testing.
• Operates electrocardiograph equipment to record electrical wave tracing of the electrical currents of the heart muscle.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualification Requirements:

• High school diploma or its educational equivalent, approved by a State’s Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization; and
• Successful completion of training courses including the performance of phlebotomy and electrocardiography (EKG), or completion of a training program or programs that include the performance of phlebotomy and EKG, such as Phlebotomy Technician and EKG Technician training programs, a Patient Care training program, or a Medical Assistant training program; and
• Holds, or obtains through facility orientation, a valid and current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association (AHA).

Special Note

In addition to meeting the qualifications above, assignment to a long-term care facility requires New York State Nurse’s Aide certification.