Patient Care Assistant – Neuroscience Unit

About the role

The Patient Care Assistant works on the Neuroscience Unit of Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, providing direct bedside support to patients under the supervision of the Team Leader and registered nurses. This PRN/OC position offers variable shifts and may include sitter duties for patients requiring constant observation.

Key responsibilities

• Take and record vital signs, weight, height, and intake‑output measurements.
• Encourage patients to turn, cough, use incentive spirometry, and perform deep‑breathing exercises.
• Assist with ambulation, transfers, wheelchair use, and patient transport.
• Provide ADL support such as feeding, bed baths, oral hygiene, dressing, and linen changes.
• Empty and manage drains, canisters, urine bags, bedpans, and emesis basins, recording all outputs.
• Maintain a safe environment by reporting equipment issues and handling linen and supplies appropriately.
• Perform pre‑operative supportive care, apply/remove abdominal binders, anti‑embolism stockings, and sequential compression devices.
• Clean and empty ostomy bags, collect urine, stool, and sputum specimens as ordered.
• Conduct range‑of‑motion exercises and assist with ambulation devices per the care plan.
• Perform phlebotomy and EKG procedures after required training, ensuring correct patient identification and proper labeling.
• Respond promptly to call lights, patient requests, and report significant clinical changes.

Required profile

• Direct patient caregiver able to work under the supervision of a Team Leader and registered nurses.
• Willingness to work variable, PRN/OC shifts, including possible sitter duties.
• Ability to perform hands‑on care, lift and reposition patients, and maintain a clean bedside environment.

Required skills

• Phlebotomy (with additional training)
• Electrocardiogram (EKG) performance (special training required)
• Vital signs measurement
• Incentive spirometry usage
• Range of motion (ROM) assistance
• Specimen collection (urine, stool, sputum)
• Ostomy bag care
• Application of anti‑embolism stockings and sequential compression devices

What we offer

• Comprehensive benefits package including tuition reimbursement, student loan assistance, and certification bonuses.
• Opportunities for leadership development within Covenant Health, the region’s largest nonprofit health system.
• Access to advanced medical technologies and specialized clinical programs.