Position Summary / Career Interest:

The PCA Intern Program (also called Gold Standard Program) offers individuals an opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience in direct patient care. This program is specifically designed for those who are eager to work in a healthcare setting but do not yet possess a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Medical Assistant (MA) license. The Health Care Gold Standard Program Intern is enrolled in the Health Care Gold Standard Acute training program with the Health System, and receives training in providing basic nursing skills, staff & patient safety, and infection prevention and control. This position learns how to document all tasks performed electronically or as directed. The Health Care Gold Standard Program Intern is trained to notify the RN of changes in patient condition, patient reports of pain, any other patient needs, concerns or issues. At the end of the Health Care Gold Standard Acute training program, the Health Care Gold Standard Program Intern is required to pass a knowledge assessment and skills and techniques validation.

Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions

• Receives training in providing basic nursing skills, such as taking vital signs and pulse oximetry; fingerstick blood glucose, ADLs, recording intake and output, collecting urine, stool, sputum specimens, apply/remove compression hose, SCDs etc., emptying drains, urinary catheters, NG tubes, and ostomies.
• Receives training in how to document all tasks, I&O, percentage of meals eaten, etc., in O2.
• Learns the importance of maintaining a neat, clutter free and clean patient room and work environment.
• Receives training in maintaining a safe patient environment that includes High Fall Risk interventions as appropriate for high fall risk patients. This includes but is not limited to hourly rounds, promptly answering call lights in person promptly for all patients on the unit, and how to reinforce patient/family education regarding fall and safety precautions.
• Receives instruction in proper hand hygiene, standard precautions, and isolation principles.
• Learns the importance of promptly notifying the RN of patient changes in vital signs from baseline or expected result, in mental status or condition, any breakdown in skin integrity or redness of skin, patient reports of pain, other patient needs, concerns or issues.
• Receives training in care for the patient in restraints, including ROM and fluids/toileting, and reorienting confused patients.
• Must be able to perform the professional, clinical and or technical competencies of the assigned unit or department.
• These statements are intended to describe the essential functions of the job and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Skills and duties may vary dependent upon your department or unit. Other duties may be assigned as required.

Required Education and Experience

• High School Graduate or GED. **NEW WITH THIS COHORT - open to accepting applications of current high school students, age 16-18 who have availability to work Full-time during the summer and continue working varied schedules in the Fall.
• Completion of the Gold Standard Program within 2 weeks of hire.
• Completion of the Knowledge Assessment and Skills & Technique Validation after completion of Gold Standard Program.

Required Licensure and Certification

• Basic Life Support Heartsaver (BLS HS) (Non-Clinical) - American Heart Association (AHA) within 14 days

We are an equal employment opportunity employer without regard to a person’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), national origin, ancestry, age (40 or older), disability, veteran status or genetic information.