Patient Care Associate?

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Specializes in Surgical - Ortho/Neuro.

I'm a career changer/pre-nursing student and was scanning the job postings at my local hospital for opportunities to get some experience when I noticed several dozen "Patient Care Associate" positions. I've never heard of this before, but from the very brief description it sounds like a CNA job. Yet... no CNA course is required and they claim to offer 4 weeks orientation. Has anyone heard of anything like this before?

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Specializes in Surgical - Ortho/Neuro.

nvrmind, just got off the phone w/ HR. Turns out the do on the job training and a lot of the people in the position are people like me who are trying to get experience in a hospital to see if they want to go into nursing. Could not be more perfect for my current situation ^_^

Granted its night shifts in a slightly rough area, but I already volunteer in this hospital and its not that bad : )

::runs off to apply:: cross your fingers for me! ^_^

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Hi,

A PCA is totally different from a CNA for one thing, they are allowed to draw blood, prepare the deceased for transport to the hospital morgue, complete input and output data into the computer system, and a lot of other thing a CNA does not do.

A CNA will get a patient up, help them get dress, comb their hair, and make sure they are in the dayroom for breakfast, CNA will feed the patients. PCA only feed the patient if they can't feed themselves. I don't think CNA change cath bags either. It is different, where as a PCA has to learn A&P, CHEM, BIO, HEM, and alot of other courses a CNA does not have to take.

Thats all I know from graduating from Mandl Allied Health School as a RMA/RPT

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Good luck! :D

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