Patient Care Assistant Job Description
A patient care assistant provides basic medical and personal care to patients in a clinical setting. Part of the job description for a patient care assistant could include taking vital signs and charting medical information.
Position Description:
Under the guidance of a registered nurse, a patient care assistant will care for and comfort individuals who are ill, undergoing surgery or disabled.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities of a Patient Care Assistant
- Takes vital signs and records this information on a medical chart
- Assists with the collection of lab specimens
- Transports patients to and from operating rooms, laboratories, and examining rooms
- Helps with bathing and grooming tasks
- Assists patients who need help walking or standing
- Communicates a patient’s needs to nurses and doctors as appropriate
- Feeds patients, ensuring that any special dietary needs are strictly adhered to
- Aids people in the use of any medical devices and equipment required for their specific condition
- Assists individuals with taking medication when needed
- Lifts patients in order to move them and prevent bedsores
- Updates relief workers on any unusual situations that may need to be addressed during their shift
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Has strong knowledge of medical terminology, diseases, and procedures
- Understands basic first aid and CPR, and is capable of administering them if need be
- Demonstrates a personal interest in the health and well-being of others
- Is willing to place the needs of others first
- Has the ability to work without supervision
- Is able to maintain patient confidentiality
- Possesses good time management skills
- Has good physical strength and stamina
Education and Experience
Patient care assistants can normally begin their career after obtaining a career certificate from a community college or vocational school. Those who have already received training as a certified nurse’s aide do not normally have to undergo additional training. Most employers will require on-the-job training for around two to four weeks after being hired. At least a year’s worth of experience in a medical setting is normally needed before workers can transition into supervisory positions within a given company.
Work Environment
A patient care assistant may work in a variety of settings including nursing homes, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers, Their work can involve a great deal of standing, bending, and heavy lifting. These workers often work full-time, and their schedules may consist of weekend, evening and overnight hours. Patient care assistants can frequently be exposed to communicable diseases. As a result, they must take regular precautions to ensure their own good health such as hand washing and drinking plenty of fluids.
Salary
The average salary for a patient care assistant is around $17,340 to $33,210 per year, with that average annual salary being approximately $24,620. This amounts to an hourly wage of between $8.33 and $15.96 per hour. Pay is largely determined by geographical area, with those living in larger metropolitan areas making more than individuals who work in rural locations do.
