Patient Care Assistant III at Nexus Health Systems

POSITION SUMMARY:

Patient Care Assistant III (PCA III) is a senior-level caregiver and operational leader within the patient care team. In addition to advanced clinical and behavioral support, this role includes supervision of PCA staff under the umbrella of a licensed nurse, coordination of care tasks, and responsibility for quality, education, and resource management. The PCA III exemplifies Nexus Health Systems’ commitment to excellence, mentoring, and continuous improvement in all aspects of patient and team outcomes.

JOB-SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

•    Service 

o    Consistently supports and communicates the Mission, Vision, and Values of Nexus Health Systems

o    Upholds the Standards of conduct and corporate compliance

o    Demonstrates honest behavior in all matters. To the best of the employee’s knowledge and understanding, complies with all Federal and State laws and regulations.

o    Maintains the privacy and security of all confidential and protected health information. Uses and discloses only that information which is necessary to perform the function of the job.

o    Adheres to all Nexus Health Systems policies on Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), designed to prevent or detect unauthorized disclosure of Protected Health Information (PHI)

o    Collaborates effectively with colleagues and other departments to ensure seamless service delivery.

o    Upholds ethical conduct, ensuring all actions support privacy, dignity, and trust.

o    Champions the Mission, Vision, and Values of Nexus Health Systems by fostering a culture of accountability, compassion, and high-performance care.

o    Ensures consistent compliance with standards of conduct, HIPAA regulations, and all relevant laws and policies.

o    Leads collaborative initiatives that enhance service delivery, staff integration, and patient satisfaction.

•    Clinical Excellence 

o    Oversees daily workflow of PCA I and II team members, ensuring timely and appropriate care interventions.

o    Coordinates patient movement, 1:1 supervision schedule, and care transitions under the supervision of a licensed nursing personnel and leadership guidance.

o    Provides advanced support in wound care, behavioral de-escalation, and critical patient care interventions.

o    Acts as a liaison between the nursing staff and PCA team to ensure consistent communication and shared expectations.

o    Contributes to clinical decision-making by sharing informed observations during rounds and interdisciplinary meetings.

o    Facilitates and evaluates the implementation of new clinical protocols, workflows, and safety initiatives.

o    Serves as a lead responder in behavioral or safety escalations, utilizing approved tools and practices.

•    Patient Experience and Advocacy 

o    Maintain a safe and therapeutic environment for patients

o    Provide emotional support and companionship to patients

o    Assist in crisis intervention situations under supervision

o    Ensure patient comfort through regular turning and positioning

o    Supports patient-centered decision-making and encourages autonomy within safety guidelines.

o    Designs and facilitates therapeutic activities and patient engagement strategies aligned with individual care plans.

o    Advocates for patient dignity, autonomy, and psychosocial needs in daily care and during care planning meetings.

o    Serves as a role model for trauma-informed care, nonviolent crisis intervention, and therapeutic communication.

•    Quality Assurance and Compliance 

o    Ensure all activities adhere to healthcare regulations and organizational policies.

o    Participate in quality improvement initiatives to enhance service delivery.

o    Promotes a culture of patient safety which results in the identification and reduction of unsafe practices.

o    Leads or co-leads quality improvement (QI) initiatives, including process audits, data collection, and implementation of best practices.

o    Conducts peer reviews of Q15 documentation, observation notes, and adherence to infection control standards.

o    Ensures compliance with accreditation and regulatory standards across team workflows.

o    Maintains accuracy in clinical documentation and helps peers improve charting consistency.

•    Professional Growth and Continuing Education

o    Completes annual education requirements.

o    Maintains competency, as evidenced by completion of competency validation requirements.

o    Maintains competency and knowledge of current standards of practice, trends, and developments.

o    Participates in relevant workshops, seminars, and continuing education courses to stay current with industry trends, healthcare regulations, and best practices.

o    Participate in ongoing training and development programs

o    Stay current with best practices in patient care and safety

o    Serves as a preceptor and mentor to PCA I, PCA II and new staff, modeling excellence in clinical care and professionalism.

o    Completes all continuing education, certifications, and competency validations required by role and organization.

o    Develops training materials and facilitates onboarding, education, and skill development for PCA staff.

o    Conducts formal performance feedback sessions and assists in annual evaluations.

o    Leads educational in-services and participates in strategic planning for team development.

o    Continuously updates certifications and knowledge base to stay aligned with emerging care trends and regulations.

•    Finance

o    Promotes stewardship of hospital resources while ensuring quality patient care.

o    Manages unit supply inventory and collaborates with leadership on budgetary planning and procurement.

o    Analyzes usage trends to recommend cost-saving initiatives and prevent supply shortages or overuse.

o    Supports department fiscal goals by optimizing workflows and reducing avoidable resource expenditures.

•    Performs other duties as assigned. 

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION: 

•    High school diploma or equivalent required.

•    Completion of a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program or equivalent training preferred.

•    Completion of advanced training or certifications in areas such as patient care leadership, behavioral health intervention, rehabilitation therapy support, or care coordination strongly preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

•    Minimum of 3 years of experience in a direct patient care role, with at least 1 year in a leadership, supervisory, or preceptorship capacity.

•    Proven success in caring for individuals with complex medical, psychiatric, or neurobehavioral conditions.

•    Experience in coordinating care activities, leading team communications, and contributing to quality or compliance initiatives.

SKILLS:

•    High-level proficiency in all core and advanced clinical tasks including wound care assistance, EHR documentation, patient hand-offs, POCT, Q15 checks, behavioral observation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

•    Demonstrated ability to lead and coach team members, conduct performance feedback, and promote a culture of excellence.

•    Skilled in conflict resolution, staff mentorship, and implementation of care protocols.

•    Strong analytical skills to support inventory management, quality improvement initiatives, and resource optimization.

•    Advanced understanding of trauma-informed behavioral practices, with leadership experience in crisis intervention scenarios.

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION:

•    Current BLS (Basic Life Support) certification required.

•    CNA certification preferred

•    Deescalation training within 30 days of hire

•    Deescalation trainer/instructor preferred

•    Leadership, training, or specialty care certifications (e.g., Certified Patient Care Technician, MHT, or Preceptor training) strongly preferred.