Job Title: Patient Care Associate
Location: New York, NY
Job Type: Contract
Duration: 13 weeks
Shift: Night Shift | 7:00 PM – 8:00 AM
Schedule: 3 shifts per week | 13 hours per shift | 39 hours per week | Every other weekend
Local Candidates Required: Yes
Traveler Candidates Required: No
Pay Rate
Local: $24 – $26/hr
Note: This job doesn't offer any benefits.
Position Overview
We are seeking a Patient Care Associate to support an inpatient psychiatric unit by assisting with patient care, therapeutic activities, safety monitoring, and daily living needs.
Required Qualifications
High School Diploma/GED with at least 2 years of full-time relevant experience in law enforcement, nursing, psychiatric or behavioral health, mental health services, counseling, or group/family dynamics; or an Associate's degree, preferably in mental health or a related field.
Minimum 2 years of psychiatric unit experience.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA).
Certificate of Medical Assistant training.
Current CPI or PMCS certification.
Completion of SEL and SCR background checks.
Experience with venipuncture and blood specimen collection.
Ability to perform EKGs.
Knowledge of patient care procedures, infection control, and patient safety.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
Ability to support patients experiencing psychiatric or behavioral health challenges.
Responsibilities
Provide direct patient care as a member of the multidisciplinary inpatient psychiatric team.
Assist with patient admission, orientation, changing, and familiarization with unit rules and regulations.
Search patients and secure personal belongings and valuables according to departmental policies.
Assist with preparing and updating nursing care plans and interdisciplinary treatment plans.
Support therapeutic interventions and activities established for patients.
Measure vital signs and collect health-related information, including height and weight.
Perform simple dressing changes, sputum, blood and urine collection, urine testing, venipuncture, and EKGs.
Assist patients with personal hygiene and daily living activities, including feeding, bathing, shaving, and dressing.
Provide practical support with transportation, obtaining clothing, check cashing, and other patient needs.
Lead or co-lead recreational and therapeutic patient activity groups.
Assist with discharge planning, transportation arrangements, and communication with family members or other relevant parties.
Escort patients within and outside the medical center for tests, treatment programs, court-related appointments, and approved recreational activities.
Assist with physical restraints involving violent or aggressive patients in accordance with established protocols.
Support the care of patients in seclusion or restraints according to departmental policies.
Initiate CPR when necessary and assist the nursing team with the Code 77 protocol.
Follow infection-control procedures and maintain a safe patient care environment.
Manage an assigned patient caseload and provide ongoing supportive counseling to patients and their families.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Special Requirements
Minimum 2 years of psychiatric unit experience is mandatory.
Night shifts and every-other-weekend coverage are required.
Travelers are not accepted.