OakBend Medical Center·Wharton, Texas
The Patient Care Assistant supports licensed nursing staff in providing care to patients within the Medical/Surgical Unit. Responsibilities include performing patient observation for safety and providing clerical support for the clinical unit.
Under the general supervision of the Nursing Manager and the direct supervision of the Clinical Coordinator or designated Licensed/Registered Nurse, the Patient Care Assistant (PCA) is responsible for assisting licensed nursing staff in providing care to patients in the Medical/Surgical Unit. The PCA supports the medical care of the patients pursuant to the objectives of the hospital and in accordance with hospital policy, the hospital mission statement, and the philosophy of the Department of Nursing. Provides the services of an observer/sitter for any patient who requires constant observation in order to maximize his/her safety. Provides clerical support for the functions of the clinical unit.
MINIMUM EDUCATION: High school graduate or equivalent; relevant experience in lieu of High School Diploma/GED education will be considered. MINIMUM WORK EXPERIENCE: Experience in an accredited healthcare facility preferred. REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS: Any one of the following: Certified as a Nursing Assistant by the Texas Department of Health (CNA); or Certified Medical Assistant; or Certified Mental Health Technician (CMHT); or Registered Behavior Technician (RBT); or Certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT); or Licensed Paramedic; or Completion of U.S. Military Hospital Corpsman training; or Experience or education in lieu of certification/license: Nursing student having completed fundamentals of nursing (LVN or RN); or Current enrollment in an accredited EMT program; or Completion of formal nursing assistance (certification or licensing) program; or Completion of Patient Care Technician program; or Graduate of a foreign nursing program with nursing credentials/licensure in country of origin; or One year of experience in direct patient care in an acute care setting Graduate of a healthcare related field (e.g. psychology, physical therapy, physiology, etc.) Certification in BLS through the American Heart Association also required. REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of basic clinical skills to deliver direct patient care to an individual or group of patients including but not limited to vital signs and activities of daily living. Accepts assigned responsibilities as an accountable member of the health care team. Proficient with data entry/computer skills for care documentation. ABOUT OAKBEND: OakBend Medical Center is an independent hospital providing exceptional and compassionate care to patients and the community since 1950. The OakBend family consists of outstanding team members caring for the community at three hospitals and many specialty centers. OakBend’s services and programs include its signature No Wait ER, an advanced trauma center, certified stroke program, hospital air ambulance services and a hospital-based skilled nursing facility. We remain committed to providing a rewarding environment to our team members, to providing necessary services to the community and to developing the best methods to care for our patients, ensuring a healthy future for generations.
Candidates must be a high school graduate or equivalent and hold a BLS certification from the American Heart Association. A professional certification such as CNA, CMA, or equivalent clinical experience/education is required.
Market context
In Texas, nursing roles like this often draw steady demand in dialysis and other patient-care settings because employers need licensed LVN/LPN candidates who can start safely and learn specialized workflows. These positions can be competitive when they require a current license, preferred dialysis experience, and completion of a training program soon after hire. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then confirm you meet the license, color-recognition, and training expectations before applying.
