What Does a Patient Care Assistant Do in a Hospital?

A patient care assistant, also called a patient care technician, generally has the same duties as a nursing assistant. Some states and health care facilities divide the positions by assigning more technical duties to the patient care assistant/technician.

Observation

Patient care assistants in hospitals take patient vital signs such as temperature and blood pressure, record food intake and mark these observations on the chart along with any notable changes in condition.

Patient Assisting

The assistants help patients with daily living activities and hygiene, such as feeding, bathing, hair washing and combing, and dressing.

Bedridden Patients

Hospital patient care assistants also reposition bedridden patients to prevent skin problems, and assist them with bedpans.

Escorting Patients

They escort patients to and from X-ray rooms and any other destinations, assisting them with walking or pushing them in wheelchairs.

Administrative Duties

Hospital patient care technicians deliver equipment to patient rooms, such portable X-ray machines, and order and receive hospital supplies.

Technical Duties

Some hospital patient care technicians receive on-the-job training so that they can perform basic phlebotomy, read electrocardiograms and assist physical therapists.