Patient Care Assistant Training Program - Starting JUNE 2021 **CNAs please apply to other positions**

MercyOne Central Iowa operates four not-for-profit, Catholic medical centers in Des Moines, West Des Moines, Newton and Centerville and two specialty hospitals – MercyOne Children’s Hospital in Des Moines and MercyOne Rehabilitation Hospital in Clive (965 beds total)  –  along with more than 20 additional facilities that house more than 50 primary care, pediatric, internal medicine and specialty clinics. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1893, MercyOne Central Iowa has the longest continually operating hospital in Des Moines and is also one of the largest employers in the state, with more than 7,000 employees and a medical staff of more than 1,000 physicians and allied health associates. MercyOne Central Iowa is a member of MercyOne, which was founded in 1998 through a collaboration between CommonSpirit Health and Trinity Health – two of the country’s foremost, not-for-profit Catholic health organizations. MercyOne has more than 20,000 colleagues in Iowa and surrounding states.

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Patient Care Assistant is a temporary position for employees hired into the Patient Care Technician Training Program without experience or training as a Certified Nursing Assistant.  The PCT training program is 120 hours in length, inclusive of classroom, skills lab and clinical hours. During PCT training, the Patient Care Assistant may assist the clinical staff in the provision of patient care with continual supervision.  These duties may vary by shift or may be unit-specific. The Patient Care Assistant is trained in the provision of care for patients of diverse ages.  Works rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays as scheduled.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Attends didactic and clinical training sessions as outlined in the course curriculum. Adheres to attendance requirements.
• Receives training to assist patients with activities including personal hygiene, bathing, ambulation, transporting, dressing/undressing, nutrition/feeding, and elimination needs.
• Assists in the delivery of patient care with supervision by an RN, LPN, or Patient Care Technician.
• Responds to patient calls and performs patient rounds to ensure the environment is safe/tidy.
• Trained in the use of safe patient handling techniques when repositioning, transferring, and ambulating patients.
• Performs safety patient observation for patients who are impulsive and/or at risk of injury to self or others.
• Assists with post-mortem care.
• Observes and communicates patient needs to the nurse/PCT.
• Collects and labels specimens.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS:

• Practices effective communication skills in answering phones and utilizing communication systems.
• Provides administrative support as assigned.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT:

The above statements reflect the general details considered necessary to describe the essential functions of the job as identified but should not be considered a detailed description of all work requirements that may be needed to perform the duties of this position.  Must have ability to maintain skills and perform tasks required for the position as outlined in the list of department competencies.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• High School diploma or GED preferred.
• Must be 18 years of age.