Patient Care Assistant at EHA Clinics

Purpose of the position 

• The Patient Care Assistant (PCA) provides basic medical and personal care to patients in a clinical setting. Part of the job description for a patient care assistant could include taking vital signs and charting medical information.
• Patient Care Assistants work under the supervision of and take direction from staff nurses and doctors.

What you’ll do a

• To perform this job successfully, you must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be assigned:
• Takes vital signs and records this information on a medical chart
• Assists with the collection of lab specimens
• Transports patients to and from different departments (exam room, laboratory, pharmacy)
• Helps with bathing and grooming tasks
• Assists patients who need help walking or standing
• Communicates patient needs to nurses and doctors as appropriate
• Feeds patients, ensuring that any special dietary needs are strictly adhered to
• Aids people in the use of any medical devices and equipment required for their specific condition
• Assists individuals with taking medication when needed
• Lifts patients in order to move them and prevent bedsores
• Document all relevant data in the electronic medical record according to the clinic’s standards.
• Treat patients and families with care and respect while maintaining patient privacy and confidentiality.
• Involve the patient, significant others, and health care providers in the plan of care when appropriate.
• Collaborate with other disciplines through multidisciplinary meetings and care conferences to facilitate patient care and operations
• Apply safety measures related to patient care
• Ensure the availability and maintenance of supplies and equipment needed for the unit and patient care
• Accountable for the use of patients’ and the hospital’s resources.
• Accountable to the patient, the organization, the profession and self
• Perform clerical duties when needed.
• Ensure that patients are provided with appropriate nutrition
• Manage patients with infectious diseases when applicable
• Manage pediatric patients with infectious diseases when applicable.
• Travel to patients’ homes to deliver care as required.
• Strictly follow clinical guidelines and standard operating procedures set by the clinic management.
• Provide emotional support and measures to alleviate fear and anxiety
• Assess patient and family readiness and identifying learning needs
• Participate in voluntary community health activities to promote, maintain and restore health and prevent diseases
• Adhere to Policies and Procedures.
• Adhere to EHA Clinics’ Code of Conduct as well as ethical standards of the field

Who you are

• The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required to successfully perform this job.
• National Diploma in Community Health (CHEW)
• Must have no less than 5 years’ clinical experience in direct patient care and have worked a minimum of 24 months in a 20+ bed hospital in the last 3 years.
• Hold and maintain a current license to practice in Nigeria.
• Ability to pass a written knowledge test and interview.
• Proficient in using a computer for patient care, documentation and communication.
• Excellent organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency working within specialized software utilized in the organization.
• Must have excellent customer service skills and communication skills
• Must be able to plan and perform daily activities in an organized manner.
• Must be kind, compassionate, dedicated and patient.
• Must have the ability to handle different kinds of emotions as well as manage on the job stress
• Must be focused, very detailed and be creative in making a decision
• Must be physically and mentally stable to handle extended shifts as well as mental pressure and traumatic events.
• Must be able to review, analyze and respond to the different situations they encounter daily
• Must be able to think critically in adapting to change, judging situations and taking appropriate decisions.

Professional Development

• EHA Clinics requires all staff to keep their knowledge and skills up to date
• S/he is expected to continue to learn throughout their career at EHA Clinics through continuing professional development (CPD). The professional body relating to specialist areas will have information on the type of CPD to be carried out and how much should be completed each year. 
• Ensure continuing education, training and development is undertaken to meet clinical governance guidelines for Continuing Professional Development and a Personal Development Plan. 
• Keep up to date with relevant medical research, technology, and evidence-based medical practice by attending continuing education courses and professional meetings, reading journals, etc.
• Perform a variety of research and analysis tasks associated with improvement of clinical care, medical diagnosis, and treatment where appropriate.
• Audit of clinical practice and review of relevant literature. 
• Research unusual symptoms and treatment options, through consultation with physicians and other medical specialists.
• Provide literature reviews and the like; review, analyze and determine the significance of a variety of diagnostic test results