Patient Care Assistant

Under the direction of a registered/licensed nurse (RN), the Clinical Assistant I, Inpatient (CA), is a member of the interdisciplinary health care team, provides essential clinical and supportive care functions to promote a safe, compassionate, and patient-centered care environment. The Clinical Assistant I, Inpatient supports patient comfort, safety, and daily care needs while adhering to established clinical protocols, safety standards, and institutional policies. This role is expected to align with and actively support Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s mission, vision, and core values of Impact, Excellence, Compassion & Respect, Discovery, and Inclusion in all aspects of its work.

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, nursing is a profession of innovation, compassion, and excellence, recognized nationally with Magnet designation for outstanding practice and patient care. As part of our new clinical collaboration, you’ll deliver inpatient oncology care at Mount Auburn Hospital, backed by Dana-Farber’s expertise, resources, and supportive team culture. This is a chance to make a meaningful impact, work alongside top clinicians, and help shape the future of cancer care, including opportunities in our upcoming freestanding adult inpatient cancer hospital.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

Nights, 7p-7a

Schedule: 36 hours per week, with rotating weekends

This position is eligible for full time benefits

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide direct patient care and daily living support
Delivers basic patient care under the direction of the registered nurse, including assistance with activities of daily living (hygiene, bathing, toileting, dressing, mobility), meal set-up and feeding as indicated, skin care, positioning and turning, ambulation and range of motion, admission and discharge support, safe patient transport, and orientation of patients and families to the care environment.
• Support patient monitoring, data collection, and specimen collection
Obtains and records patient data such as vital signs, pulse oximetry, non-invasive blood pressure, height, weight, intake and output, blood glucose results, and 12-lead ECGs; performs bladder scanning and specimen collection using two patient identifiers; promptly reports changes in patient status or abnormal findings to the RN/licensed nurse.
• Prepare, use, and maintain equipment and the care environment
Retrieves, sets up, and cleans patient care equipment (e.g., cardiac monitors, portable oxygen, pulse oximeters, suction systems, lifting equipment, scales) according to unit protocols; maintains a clean, safe, and organized patient care environment; follows equipment management and infection prevention practices, including standard precautions and hand hygiene.
• Promote a safe, healing, and respectful environment
Supports a Culture of Safety by performing hourly rounding, responding promptly and appropriately to call lights and patient/family requests, providing constant observation when assigned, using Safe Patient Handling principles, monitoring for and reporting safety concerns, and consistently demonstrating respect, kindness, and cultural sensitivity while protecting patient privacy and confidentiality.
• Document care and communicate effectively within the care team
Accurately documents assigned aspects of care and patient data in approved forms and the electronic medical record; communicates clearly and respectfully with patients, families, and all members of the interdisciplinary team; seeks RN assistance when needed to meet patient/family needs and to escalate concerns.
• Participate as an engaged member of the interdisciplinary team
Collaborates with nurses and other team members to meet patient, family, and unit needs; proactively offers assistance to others; performs delegated responsibilities within scope and adapts to changing unit demands; provides care appropriate to the age and condition of patients on assigned unit(s).
• Support learning, development, and mentoring
Participates in ongoing education by identifying learning needs, completing required annual training, and attending in-services; supports orientation and mentoring of new Clinical Assistants to help them meet performance expectations and adhere to unit and institutional standards.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of English language sufficient to read, speak and write accurately.
• Knowledge of simple math.
• Ability to lift and transport patients using the appropriate physical technique in a safe manner for the patient and self-according to the safe patient handling guidelines.
• Proficiency in basic computer skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to interact effectively with patients, visitors, and personnel.

Minimum Job Qualifications:

High School Diploma or equivalent. CNA, PCT, MA, EMT or equivalent experience required. Previous experience not required with CNA license.

License/Certification/Registration Required:

Certification as a nursing assistant required upon hire, unless incumbent is a nursing student who has completed her/his fundamentals of nursing with a clinical component (clinical rotation or simulation lab). May not currently hold a valid nursing license. Basic Life Support (BLS) or CPR certification by the American Heart Association (AHA) or the Red Cross required upon hire.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Patient Contact:

Yes, direct and continuous contact with adult oncology patients and families in an inpatient environment.

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are committed to having faculty and staff who offer multifaceted experiences. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and compassionate professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

EEO Poster

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Pay Transparency Statement

The hiring range is based on market pay structures, with individual salaries determined by factors such as business needs, market conditions, internal equity, and based on the candidate’s relevant experience, skills and qualifications.

For union positions, the pay range is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

$47,840.00 - $58,024.00