Topics Regarding the Patient Care Assistant Profession

1
Patient Care Assistant

• Career Pathway and Work Responsibilities

2
What is a Patient Care Assistant?

• Unlicensed member of the medical team.
• Performs several routine patient care activities.
• May have a variety of job titles.
• One of the most diverse providers in healthcare.
• Supports the efforts of other personnel.
• Spends the most time with patients.
• Critical to the ongoing operations of the
  facility.

3
Level of Education

• Depends on the area of practice.
• Entry-level generalist positions usually require
  no more than a high school diploma.
• Mid-level positions may require some college and
  a certificate of completion.
• Advanced specialties like surgery and radiology
  almost always require a college degree and
  specialty training.

4
Examples of Entry-Level Positions

• Medical Assistant
• Nurse Aide
• Orderly
• Home Health Aide
• Dialysis Technician
• Personal Care Assistant
• Patient Care Assistant
• Dental Assistant

5
Examples of Specialty Positions

• Surgical Assistant
• Radiologic Technician
• Nuclear Medicine Technician
• Psychiatric Assistant
• Cardiovascular Technician
• Critical Care Assistant
• Etc

6
Typical Career Progression

• Begin working as an entry-level generalist
  provider in order to gain experience and broad
  credentials that demonstrate basic competence.
• Network with individuals in specialty departments
  to decide on those that are appealing.
• Job shadow and volunteer in specialty department.
• Acquire necessary credentials.
• Apply for an opening.

7
Generalist Responsibilities

• Help with activities of daily living like
  bathing, eating, dressing, using the bathroom,
  etc.
• Monitor vital signs such as heart rate, blood
  pressure, temperature, etc.
• Provide emotional support.
• Communicate with other providers.
• Enter information in medical records.
• Help with treatments and procedures.

8
Useful Resources

• Patient Care Assistant Duties
• www.PatientCareTechnicianSalary.net