Patient Care Associate - Surgical Stepdown

Mercy Hospital St. Louis Critical Care Medicine Fellowship; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 19,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Mercy’s Surgical Stepdown Unit is hiring a Patient Care Associate (PCA) and Patient Care Technician (PCT) to support the care of patients recovering from complex surgeries. You’ll work under the direction of RNs or LPNs, perform clinical procedures and non-clinical tasks, and participate in a collaborative team that emphasizes patient safety and discharge planning.

Positions include part-time 24 hours/week or full-time 36 hours/week with day or night shifts.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma, GED, CNA/CPTC certification, or enrollment in a healthcare career program.
• Experience: No prior experience required.
• Physical requirements: Ability to push/pull/lift up to 50 lbs; prolonged standing and walking; reach, bend, kneel, twist and squat.

Responsibilities

• Record vital signs and enter data into the EMR.
• Assist patients with daily needs (meals, bathing, toileting, mobility, transportation).
• Provide clerical support as needed.
• For PCT: perform phlebotomy, administer enteral feedings, provide wound care, remove IVs and catheters, perform tracheostomy care and suctioning.

Education

High school diploma or GED

CNA/CPTC certification

Enrollment 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.

Patient Care Associate (PCA) / Patient Care Technician (PCT)

Join Our Surgical Stepdown Team!

Job Description

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

Location: Mercy Hospital South - 10010 Kennerly Rd, St. Louis, MO 63128

Schedule: Part-Time | 24 hours/week, Full-Time | 36 hours/week

Shift: Day Shift | 6:30 AM – 7:00 PM, Night Shift | 6:30 PM – 7:00 AM

Sign-On Bonus: (24+ hours/week) – No Contract Required!

• $1,000 for Day Shift (paid in three installments: $250 at 90 days, $250 at 6 months, $500 at 12 months)
• $3,000 for Night Shift (paid in three installments: $750 at 90 days, $750 at 6 months, $1,500 at 12 months)

About The Unit – Surgical Stepdown

Are you looking for a nursing career that combines advanced clinical skills, critical thinking, and meaningful patient relationships? Our Surgical Stepdown Unit cares for a diverse population of patients recovering from complex surgical procedures, including colorectal, vascular, thoracic, urologic, orthopedic, and general surgery. Nurses manage patients with advanced monitoring needs, surgical drains, wound vacs, tracheostomies, ostomies, PCA pumps, and complex postoperative care plans while helping patients progress safely toward recovery and discharge.

As a Surgical Stepdown nurse, you’ll work alongside a multidisciplinary team dedicated to delivering exceptional patient outcomes. You’ll develop expertise in postoperative assessment, early recognition of complications, pain management, mobility progression, patient education, and discharge planning. Every day offers opportunities to strengthen your clinical judgment while making a direct impact on patients’ healing journeys.

If you are passionate about delivering compassionate, high-quality care and want to be part of a team committed to excellence, we invite you to explore a career with our Surgical Stepdown Unit. Join us and help patients take the next step toward recovery.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma, GED, CNA/CPTC certification, or enrollment in a healthcare career program through high school. Current Mercy co-workers are also eligible.
• Experience: No prior experience required
• Physical Requirements:
  • Ability to push, pull, and lift up to 50 lbs. regularly
  • Prolonged standing and walking during shifts
  • Ability to grip, reach, bend, kneel, twist, and squat to perform duties

Certifications

• Basic Life Support (BLS) required within one month of hire
• Completion of PCA competencies within three months of hire

Key Responsibilities

As a Patient Care Associate (PCA)

• Record vital signs and enter data into the electronic medical record
• Assist patients with daily needs (meals, bathing, toileting, mobility, transportation)
• Provide clerical support as needed

As a Patient Care Technician (PCT): Includes all PCA responsibilities, plus:

• Perform phlebotomy and collect blood cultures
• Administer enteral feedings
• Provide wound care
• Remove IVs and Foley catheters
• Perform tracheostomy care and suctioning

Training & Development

• Mercy’s PCA training program is an accredited Department of Labor Apprenticeship, offering hands‑on experience and valuable credentials in a supportive healthcare environment.
• If you have no prior experience, Mercy provides a 175-hour training program that meets Department of Health and Senior Services requirements. This must be completed within 90 days of hire.

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.