Patient Care Assistant/Unit Coordinator, UofL Hospital, Surgical Services, 1st Shift

UofL Health•Louisville, KY

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Assistant/Unit Coordinator performs clerical duties on the unit under the direction of Licensed Nursing Personnel and provides clinical patient care support under the direction of an RN. The role requires professional communication with personnel across departments and a personable, professional manner with physicians, patients, families, visitors, and coworkers. The employee supports patient- and family-centered care and may perform functions including phlebotomy, EKG lead placement, and respiratory functions. The position combines unit coordination and direct patient support. Duties include handling records, orders, messages, and desk communications; collecting and documenting patient information and specimens; assisting with personal care, mobility, comfort, and daily needs; and helping admit, transfer, discharge, and transport patients. The employee also organizes supplies and equipment, follows safety and infection-control requirements, protects confidential information, and complies with organizational policies and standards.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED/equivalent.
Basic Life Support certification through the American Heart Association.
Ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written formats.
Ability to learn and appropriately use the electronic documentation system and other relevant systems and databases.
Demonstrated initiative, communication, problem-solving, proactive planning, service excellence, organization, flexibility, critical thinking, diligence, effective interpersonal skills, and ability to work collaboratively and take direction.
Ability to think critically through complex patient situations, process improvements, and evidence-based practice.
Current and in good standing with the state licensing board, or enrolled in an accredited school of nursing and having completed the Fundamentals of Nursing course; LPNs may apply.

Nice To Haves

Completion of a recognized Clinical Assistant, Medical Assistant, or EMT training program, or nursing-student completion of the Fundamentals of Nursing course at an accredited school of nursing.
Certification as a Nursing Assistant (C.N.A.), Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).
Current and good-standing state licensure, or enrollment in an accredited nursing school with completion of the Fundamentals of Nursing course; LPNs may apply.

Responsibilities

Transcribe and compute physician orders, department orders, and messages accurately and legibly.
Assemble patient medical records, maintain the proper order of chart contents, prepare admission charts, and disassemble discharged or transferred charts while checking for completeness.
Respond promptly to intercoms and pages, route messages appropriately, replace forms in medical records, and route requests for patient information to nurses.
Communicate physician orders to the responsible nurse and collect required unit data.
Measure and document intake and output, height, weight, and vital signs.
Apply, monitor, and document restraint use.
Collect urine, stool, and sputum specimens; perform and document point-of-care testing.
Perform and document patient mobility, exercise, comfort, rest, sleep, hygiene, grooming, dressing, skin and nail care, dietary, toileting, and elimination needs.
Organize equipment and supplies; complete bedmaking and unit cleaning assignments.
Perform and document perineal care and apply unsterile hot or cold packs and compresses, bandages, and elastic stockings.
Safely operate equipment such as beds, wheelchairs, stretchers, hypo/hyperthermia units, mechanical lifts, and bed scales.
Order stock and maintain and enter charged items at the end of the shift according to procedure.
Orient new personnel to the desk.
Assist with patient admission, physical examinations, transfers, and discharges.
Transport patients, lab work, specimens, and blood.
Follow universal precautions, infection-control requirements, OSHA and other regulatory policies, facility safety procedures, company policies, and standards of conduct.
Protect patient confidentiality and comply with HIPAA privacy and security requirements.
Communicate courteously and effectively with others, including by telephone, and demonstrate professionalism, service excellence, teamwork, and organizational values.
Perform other duties as assigned.