PATIENT CARE SUPPORT ASST - Covenant Health

Patient Care Support Assistant, Senior Behavioral Health 

Full Time, 72 Hours Per Pay Period, Night Shifts

Parkwest Overview:

Parkwest is West Knoxville’s premier medical facility and a top performing heart hospital. In addition to providing the area’s leading cardiac services, Parkwest has been nationally recognized for award-winning care throughout our facility. For 2020-21 Parkwest received recognition from U.S. News & World Report as one of the “Top 10” hospitals in Tennessee.

Senior Behavioral Health: 

Our 16-bed Senior Behavioral Unit serves older adults ages 55 and older. We focus on the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of each patient. We provide services for a wide range of psychiatric diagnoses (including dementia, depression, suicide, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder). We provide stabilization in an acute care setting involving EKGs, daily labs, intravenous fluids, or antibiotics. We construct individualized treatment plans working in collaboration with physicians, families, recreational therapists, physical and occupational therapists, and social/case workers. Our goal is to ensure that the patient lives life to the fullest as they age. Patients are encouraged to participate in group therapy every day with fun and motivating activities. We take pride in creating a safe environment for both patients and staff.

 Educational opportunities are always encouraged to develop best practice skills including certifications, seminars, and de-escalation classes. Positive and energetic traits are a must for this fast-paced, team-centered unit.  Team members consist of RNs, LPNs, CNA/PCAs and Health Unit Coordinators who work together to provide exceptional care. Scheduling is a 6-week period. Staff work 3 days per week, 12-hour shifts, and every other weekend.   

We have a supportive environment and an orientation tailored to your needs. If you are looking for a work “home” then you have found the right floor! If you are passionate about Senior Behavior Health and putting patients first apply today!

Position Summary:

The Patient Care Support Assistant functions as direct support in patient care performing tasks to assist nurses and providers. Performs hands-on care, assistance with ADL’s, and specified technical tasks for a group of patients under the supervision of the nurse. Duties include supporting the Medical Surgical Unit and Emergency Room with patient care, housekeeping, HUC, sitter, and transporting of patients.

Recruiter: Jason Shubert ||jshuber1@covhlth.com|| 865-374-5393

• Provides morning or evening care, which may include bed bath, oral hygiene, combing hair, back care, dressing patient, changing bed linen, cleaning over-bed table and bedside stand, straightening room, and other supportive care as needed.
• Takes and records temperature, pulse, respiration rates, blood pressures, oxygen saturation, weights, heights, and intake-output measurements.
• Documents/maintains patient record as appropriate.
• Promptly answers patient call lights and responds to patient requests.
• Answers telephone and intercoms; relays and documents messages. Helps to ensure that follow-up to patients request is timely.
• Ambulates and assists patients in and out of bed, into wheelchairs, and transport when necessary (on oxygen if required).
• Monitors and utilizes the patient flow board for assignments.
• Reports observed changes in patient condition to nurse or provider.
• Attends to nutritional needs of patient which may include distributing meal trays, feeding, filling, and passing out water pitchers.
• Helps to maintain clean and orderly patient and work environment.
• Maintains open lines of communication between patients, family, physicians, peers, and leadership.
• Encourages patients to turn, cough, and take deep breaths as specified by plan of care.
• Empties canisters, urine bags, bedpans, and emesis basins and records intake and output.
• Provides general care such as positioning, lifting, or turning patients; assisting in use of bedpan, urinal, or commode.
• Performs EKG (requires special training).
• Assists in maintaining a safe environment, which may include checking equipment daily for proper function and reporting equipment that is out of order, appropriate handling of linen, and storing of supplies.
• Gathers equipment for O2 set up. Checks O2 for connection and proper placement.
• Orders patient care supplies and keeps patient care supplies stocked in proper amounts in rooms, carts, and other areas as appropriate.
• Checks for proper functioning of equipment at patient bedside.
• Sets up suction equipment and checks for proper function.
• Demonstrates knowledge and competency in providing for age-specific needs of the population served.
• Demonstrates ability to perform skills as assigned on the Nursing Assistant checklist.
• Employs all established infection control policies including standard precautions, transmission-based isolation precautions, OSHA standards, safety measures, and proper body mechanics in performance of job.
• Follows policies, procedures, and safety standards. Completes required education assignments annually. Works toward achieving goals and objectives, and participates in quality improvement initiatives as requested.
• Performs defined safety protocols (i.e., double identification, various isolation procedures, equipment maintenance and cleaning, etc.).
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education:           

None specified; this is an internship for high school students 16-17 years of age who are enrolled in healthcare courses and intending to pursue a career in healthcare.

Minimum Experience:         

Medical terminology a plus. Must be able to operate computer and possess excellent interpersonal skills. Must be able to read with comprehension, write legibly, and perform basic arithmetic computation. Must successfully complete Covenant’s orientation and Nursing Assistant in-house training program before being permitted to work with patients.

Licensure Requirement:      

None