Patient Care Assistant – Neuroscience Unit (PRN)

About the role

The Patient Care Assistant works on the Neuroscience Unit of Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center on a PRN, variable‑hour, day‑shift basis. Reporting to the Team Leader, the assistant provides direct, hands‑on care to patients under the supervision of registered nurses, ensuring comfort and safety while supporting the unit’s clinical objectives.

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 patients with ambulation, transfers, and positioning in bed or wheelchair.
• Provide morning and evening care including bed baths, oral hygiene, dressing, and linen changes.
• Empty drains, canisters, urine bags, bedpans and record outputs.
• Maintain a safe environment by reporting equipment issues and handling linen and supplies appropriately.
• Assist with pre‑operative care, application/removal of abdominal binders, anti‑embolism stockings, and compression devices.
• Collect urine, stool, sputum specimens and perform range‑of‑motion exercises.
• Perform phlebotomy and EKG procedures as trained, ensuring correct patient identification and labeling.
• Respond promptly to call lights, patient requests, and report significant changes in condition.

Required profile

• Ability to work under the supervision of a Team Leader and registered nurses.
• Comfortable providing direct patient care and following individualized care plans.
• Flexibility to work variable PRN hours on the day shift.
• Strong documentation skills for accurate recording of patient data.

Required skills

• Phlebotomy (trained)
• EKG (trained)
• Vital signs measurement
• Basic patient positioning and mobility assistance