What Does a Patient Care Associate Do?

What Is a Patient Care Associate?

Patient care associates, commonly referred to as nursing assistants or nursing aides, provide basic care for patients in medical centers such as hospitals, nursing homes, and hospices.

Patient Care Associate Job Description

A patient care associate's main priority is to make sure their patients are comfortable and cared for. Their duties can range from common caretaking such as changing bedsheets or giving a patient a bath, to more healthcare-specific tasks such as recording a patient's health concerns and symptoms or checking their vitals.

A few specific tasks of a patient care associate can include:

• Bathing patients
• Changing patients' bed sheets, pillows, and turning or repositioning patients in their beds
• Helping patients dress or use the bathroom
• Listening to patients' health concerns, recording them, and reporting them to a nurse or physician
• Serving meals to patients and helping them eat
• Measuring patients' vitals, such as temperature and blood pressure

When performing any of these tasks, patient care associates must abide by safety protocols. Depending on their level of training and the state they work in, some patient care associates may give medication to patients. More specifically in nursing homes and residential care facilities, patient care associates often see patients more regularly than nurses and physicians.

The Work Environment for Patient Care Associates

Patient care associates are usually part of a team, even if their own work is independent. They must report to the supervisor of their team, who is usually a registered nurse. Patients need care at all hours of the day and night, so patient care associates usually work full time, with evenings, weekends, and holidays being a common part of their work schedule.

The work of a patient care associate can be strenuous since they are on their feet most of the time, moving from patient to patient, transporting patients in wheelchairs or assisting them with bathing, and lifting them to reposition them in their bed or move them around.

The position can be rewarding, as patient care associates often form bonds with patients.

Important Skills for Patient Care Associates

Patient care associates must have good communication skills in order to effectively report any concerns or information to other associates or nurses and physicians. Due to their caring for the sick, injured, and elderly, and performing routine tasks, some of which are strenuous, they must additionally have patience, compassion, and physical stamina.

Required Education and Licensing for Patient Care Associates

Becoming a patient care assistant starts with seeking the proper education from a certified nursing assistant program. These programs typically can be found in community colleges, vocational schools, technical schools, medical care centers, and high schools. If an individual is applying to a program through a medical center or college, technical, or vocational school, they will need a high school diploma or equivalent to apply.

After completing the program, patient care associates will need to pass an exam to be listed on their state's registry. They must be on the registry in order to work in a nursing home. Some patient care associates can gain additional certification, such as a Certified Medication Associate. Basic certification requirements vary by state, and some states require continuing education for patient care associates. Additionally, patient care associates will undergo on-the-job training.

Patient Care Associates Salary

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage for nursing assistants in 2018 is $29,580. The BLS also reports an expected job growth of 9% for nursing assistants and orderlies from 2018-2028.

Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Occupations Similar to Patient Care Associates

Orderlies, patient care assistants, and patient care technicians are similar careers. Orderlies perform some of the same duties as patient care associates and must typically have a high school diploma or equivalent. Patient care technicians perform a few more advanced tasks and must have specific training. Personal care assistants help elderly and disabled people perform everyday tasks and must go through training and receive a personal care assistant license.