BWH Oncology Lead PCA

Lead PCA / 40 Hours / Day / BWH Oncology CWN7

A $750.00 sign on bonus is being offered to eligible new employees hired in our PCA positions

Excellent Care to Patients and Families * The Best Staff * In the Safest Environment

Nursing at Brigham and Women's Hospital is known for their excellent clinical practice and for keeping patients and their families at the center of all they do. We understand that great care is shaped by relationships with patients and their families. That's why we're committed to knowing our patients on a deeper level - not just as patients, but as individuals - to ensure that they, and their families, feel known and cared for.

At BWH, we proudly work together with a spirit of inquiry and a deep commitment to providing the highest quality, evidence-informed and theory-guided care in an inclusive environment. We work each day to achieve our vision - to provide excellent care to patients and families, with the best staff, in the safest environment.

Just as we have been able to reinvent health care, we have also transformed health care careers. Whether measured in terms of lives saved, awards earned, or the personal satisfaction of stretching your talents - a career with BWH is unlike any other in the health care field. Here you'll find a workplace where collaboration and teamwork are the norm, not the exception - physicians, nurses, technicians, staff and management form a close-knit bond, based on mutual respect and devotion to our patients. If you want an enormously fulfilling career, there's no better place to be.

The Lead PCA will be responsible for:

- Supporting the RN with clinical tasks, including, but not limited to glucometry, EKGs, and vital signs.

- Responding to the needs of patients and family members and takes a proactive role in the efficient operation of the unit.

Functioning under the direction of the RN and as a member of the unit - based patient care team proficiently performs the clinical task of a PCA. The lead PCA works as a liaison between PCAs and the leadership staff and functions in a mentorship/preceptor role for PCAs. The Lead PCA is responsible for supporting the RN with clinical tasks, including but not limited to glucometry, EKG's and vital signs. In addition, the PCA is responsible for responding to the needs of patients and family members and takes a proactive role in the efficient operation of the unit.

1. As a member of the patient care team, the Lead PCA ensures that the patient and family members are attended to in a caring and attentive manner, responding to the needs of patients/family members in a timely manner and maintaining a professional and friendly demeanor at all times.

2. Attends report with the focus on learning the overall clinical information pertinent to the PCA role.

3. Acts in a leadership role to ensure cooperation among the PCAs to get the work done.

4. Reviews PCA role standards with new employees as needed. Participants in implementing action plan for the new employees. Provides feedback to Nurse Manager with specific performance information for training needs.

5. Works cohesively as a member of the patient care team, anticipating the needs of team members, as well as the patient.

6. Establishes and maintains a positive relationship with each patient family and team member.

7. Answers call lights and responds to patient requests promptly.

8. Constantly maintains confidentiality/privacy of all patient information.

9. Maintains hospital service standards, with particular attention to personal/behavioral, staff teamwork, and patient-staff interaction guidelines.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Continued Clinical Duties

1. Assists patient with activities of daily living, including but not limited to bathing, feeding, toileting, dressing and grooming. Will prepare/set-up patients for meals and snacks and will assist patient during meals, when necessary.

2. Anticipates the individual needs of patients regarding ADL within the plan of care established by the nurse.

3. Adapts standard ADL care to the unique needs of each patient, within the plan of care established by the nurse.

4. Maintains familiarity with expected patient outcomes of all tasks performed, recognizes situations requiring RN notification.

5. Maintains thorough understanding of activity and equipment within working environment, including the application of safety precautions.

6. Measures and records non-invasive vital signs and patient weights.

7. Performs EKG' s in accordance with Hospital/Departmental standards.

8. Collects and records patient data, including intake/output, glucometry, stool checks for occult blood.

9. Assist patients with physical therapy (range of motion and exercise ordered by physical therapy) deep breathing, coughing, and ambulation.

10. Completes procedures sets and clean up, and assists during procedures.

11. Performs simple dressing changes on patients, utilizing aseptic techniques.

12. Monitors patient as a sitter

13. Performs unit-specific clinical duties, including, but not limited to, chest PT, and placing patients on telemetry.

Non-Clinical Duties

l. Attends leadership staff meetings, acts as a liaison for PCA and nursing staff. Indirect time will be allocated by the nurse manager, to assure lead PCA responsibilities are met.

2. Participates in educational/orientation offerings to ensure ongoing enhancement of clinical and interpersonal skills.

3. Participates as a planning member for PCA lecture series, and remediation sessions.

4. Responsible for escorting patients/families being discharged from the unit.

5. Involved in unit quality assurance regarding documentation and core activities as related to PCA role.

6. Transports patients and or equipment to other areas of the hospital when needed.

7. Maintains patient rooms, including changing bed linens, etc. when needed

To qualify you must have:

- Certification as a CNA, PCT, MA, EMT or commensurate experience required, unless incumbent is a nursing student who has completed her/his fundamentals of nursing with a clinical component (clinical rotation or simulation lab). For nursing students hired as PCAs, strongly prefer nursing students enrolled in BSN programs or direct-entry Masters' programs.

- Bi-lingual skills preferred.

- Prior experience in a clinical setting preferred.

- Knowledge of medical terminology.

- May not currently hold a valid nursing license. If the state of MA is not offering CNA exams at the time of hire documentation of successful completion of full CNA course work will suffice

BWH is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives, and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.