Patient Care Assistant – Surgery Unit (PRN/OCC)

About the role

The Patient Care Assistant provides direct bedside support to patients in the Surgery Unit, working under the supervision of the Team Leader and registered nurses. This PRN/occasional position offers variable day‑shift hours and focuses on delivering hands‑on care, monitoring vital signs, and assisting with daily activities.

Key responsibilities

• Measure and record temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, weight, height, and intake‑output.
• Encourage and assist patients with turning, coughing, deep breathing, and incentive spirometry.
• Assist patients with ambulation, transfers, wheelchair use, and transport.
• Provide personal care such as bed baths, oral hygiene, dressing, linen changes, and bedside cleaning.
• Empty and manage drains, canisters, urine bags, bedpans, and emesis basins, documenting output.
• Collect urine, stool, and sputum specimens as ordered.
• Perform phlebotomy and EKG procedures after required training.
• Maintain a safe environment by reporting equipment issues and handling linen and supplies appropriately.

Required profile

• Ability to work under the direction of a Team Leader and registered nurses.
• Willingness to function as a sitter for patients requiring constant supervision.
• Capability to perform technical tasks such as phlebotomy and EKG after training.

Required skills

• Phlebotomy
• EKG operation
• Vital signs measurement
• Specimen collection
• Incentive spirometry usage
• Range‑of‑motion (ROM) assistance

What we offer

• Competitive hourly wage
• Access to tuition reimbursement, student loan assistance, and certification bonuses
• Opportunities for professional development within a leading nonprofit health system