Patient Care Associate

NYC Health + Hospitals

Key Responsibilities

• Checks vital signs, weighs, and measures patients.
• Obtains specimens and records findings on the patient's chart.
• Instructs patients on how to obtain specimens for laboratory testing.
• Performs basic specimen screening testing through dipstick and hemoccult.
• Prepares collected specimens for pick-up by labeling and preparing required forms.
• Performs vision and hearing testing.
• Performs simple urinalysis.
• Administers emergency first aid, including basic life support procedures.
• Performs simple first aid such as dressing changes, bandaging, and cleansing of wounds, irrigation and cleansing of ears.
• Prepares patients for examination and assists medical providers during examinations.
• Prepares examination rooms, including cleaning and disinfecting of instruments and equipment.
• Informs patients on proper preparation for various medical testing.
• Interviews patients to obtain routine personal and medical information and appropriate health history.
• Maintains, completes, processes, and files patients' charts, appropriate forms, and documents.
• Reports observations of patients to clinical staff.
• Answers routine inquiries of patients and makes appropriate referrals.
• Provides information to patients and their families regarding health care services.
• Maintains inventory of the unit’s equipment stock and supplies.
• Works effectively as a team member and assists in the orientation of new employees.
• Directs and escorts patients to other departments or health care settings.
• Coordinates efforts of various clinic and health care setting departments in scheduling and re-booking appointments.
• Enters pertinent patient information into Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems.
• Obtains blood specimens for laboratory testing by performing venipuncture and/or fingerstick testing.
• Operates electrocardiograph (EKG) equipment.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• High school diploma or its educational equivalent.
• Successful completion of training courses including the performance of phlebotomy and electrocardiography (EKG), or completion of a training program that includes these skills (e.g., Phlebotomy Technician, EKG Technician, Patient Care, or Medical Assistant training programs).
• Holds, or obtains through facility orientation, a valid and current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association (AHA).

Special Note: Assignment to a long-term care facility requires New York State Nurse’s Aide certification.