Patient Care Associate - PCA - Trauma Neuro ICU

MHM Support Services; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 19,000 - 28,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with employer match

Education assistance toward nursing

Paid time off (PTO)

Volunteer day benefit

Career development & advancement

Job summary

Mercy Hospital St. Louis is hiring a Patient Care Associate (PCA) to support the Trauma Neuro ICU team under the direction of RNs or LPNs.

You will perform direct patient care and assist with clinical and non-clinical tasks to promote patient wellness in a fast-paced critical care setting. The role offers training through a 175-hour PCA program and a chance to gain hands-on experience alongside nurses, neurologists, and surgeons.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Currently enrolled in healthcare career program (including healthcare-focused programs).
• No prior healthcare experience required (but CNA or related experience preferred).

Responsibilities

• Assist with daily hygiene and personal care.
• Ambulate, reposition, and transfer patients safely.
• Assist with feeding and monitor intake/output.
• Observe and report changes in patient condition.
• Obtain and document vital signs.
• Provide skin care and prevent skin breakdown.
• Support patient comfort and safety during hospitalization.

Skills

Compassionate care

Team player

Observation skills

Vital signs

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Currently enrolled in healthcare career program

Job description

Find your calling at Mercy! Under the direction of the RN or LPN, assists in the individualized care of the patient to achieve the patients highest level of wellness. Works cooperatively with others as part of a team; recognizes the importance of group goals. Performs designated clinical procedures and non-clinical support tasks essential to providing care to the patient.

Position Details

• Patient Care Associate (PCA) – Trauma Neuro ICU Mercy Hospital St. Louis
• St. Louis, MO
• Now Hiring – 0.3 FTE
• Days 7 am-7 pm
• 1 - 12 hour shift per week required
• Rotating Weekends & Holidays Required

Build Your Healthcare Career Mercy Hospital St. Louis is seeking compassionate, motivated, and detail-oriented Patient Care Associates (PCAs) to join our specialized Trauma Neuro Intensive Care Unit (ICU) team. This exciting opportunity allows you to work alongside experienced critical care nurses, neurologists, neurosurgeons, and multidisciplinary specialists caring for patients with complex neurological injuries and critical illnesses. You'll gain valuable hands‑on experience in an advanced critical care environment while making a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and their families.

Why Join Mercy St. Louis?

At Mercy, you're more than an employee. You're part of a mission‑driven organization dedicated to providing exceptional care with compassion, dignity, and respect. You'll gain valuable critical care experience, develop strong clinical skills, and work alongside a team that is committed to supporting your growth and success.

Benefits Starting Day One

• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with Employer Match
• Education Assistance Toward a Nursing Degree
• Paid Time Off Begins Accruing Immediately
• Volunteer Day Benefit
• Career Development & Advancement Opportunities

Job Overview

Under the direction of an RN or LPN, the Patient Care Associate performs direct patient care activities and supports the TNICU team in delivering exceptional care to critically ill patients. As an essential member of the care team, you will assist with both clinical and non‑clinical responsibilities while helping patients achieve their highest level of wellness and recovery.

What You’ll Do

• Assist with daily hygiene and personal care needs
• Ambulate, reposition, and transfer patients safely
• Assist with feeding and monitor patient intake and output
• Observe and report changes in patient condition
• Obtain and document vital signs
• Provide skin care and assist in preventing skin breakdown
• Support patient comfort and safety throughout hospitalization

Paid Training Program

No Experience? No Problem! Mercy provides a 175-hour Department of Health and Senior Services‑approved PCA Training Program, completed during orientation and within your first 90 days of employment. Mercy's PCA Training Program is also an accredited U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program, providing valuable hands‑on experience, mentorship, and nationally recognized credentials to support your healthcare career journey.

Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma or GED
• Currently enrolled in a healthcare career program (including healthcare-focused high school programs)
• Current Mercy co‑workers are encouraged to apply

Experience

• No previous healthcare experience required

Preferred

• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
• Previous healthcare, patient care, or clinical experience
• Interest in critical care, burn care, emergency medicine, or nursing

Requirements

• Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification within 1 month of hire
• Completion of PCA competencies within 3 months of hire
• Maintain required certifications and training requirements

Physical Requirements

• Ability to frequently lift, push, or pull up to 50 pounds
• Prolonged standing and walking throughout shifts
• Frequent bending, kneeling, reaching, twisting, gripping, and squatting
• Ability to safely assist patients with mobility and positioning

Ready to Make a Difference? Why Mercy?

From day one, Mercy offers outstanding benefits - including medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, tuition support, and matched retirement plans for team members working 32+ hours per pay period. Join a caring, collaborative team where your voice matters. At Mercy, you'll help shape the future of healthcare through innovation, technology, and compassion. As we grow, you'll grow with us.

Transforming the Health of Our Communities

Our Mercy health system was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1986. But our heritage goes back more than 195 years. It began with an Irish woman named Catherine McAuley, who was determined to help women and children in Dublin experiencing poverty. Though Catherine had a modest upbringing, she received an unexpected inheritance that allowed her to fulfill that dream. In 1827, she opened the first House of Mercy in Dublin, intending to teach skills to women and educate children. Many volunteers came to help. A few years later, Catherine founded the Sisters of Mercy, one of the first religious orders whose Sisters were free to walk among the poor and visit them in their homes. In 1843, the Sisters of Mercy came to the United States. In 1856, they traveled to St. Louis. In the years to come, they would establish hospitals throughout the Midwest. Many of these would join together in 1986 as Mercy.