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

UofL Health•Louisville, KY

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Assistant/Unit Coordinator performs unit clerical duties under the direction of licensed nursing personnel and provides clinical patient-care support under the direction of an RN. The role requires professional, effective communication with department personnel and others involved in patient care, as well as a personable and 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 management of unit records, orders, messages, supplies, and communications with direct patient-care support. The employee assists with admission, examination, transfer, and discharge processes; supports patient hygiene, mobility, comfort, and other care needs; and follows infection-control, safety, privacy, and regulatory requirements. UofL Health expects employees to demonstrate honesty, integrity, compassion, professionalism, teamwork, continuous improvement, and responsible use of resources.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED/equivalent.
Basic Life Support certification through the American Heart Association.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
Ability to learn and appropriately use the electronic documentation system and other relevant systems and databases.
Ability to think critically through complex patient situations, process improvements, and evidence-based practice.
Initiative, communication, problem-solving, proactive planning, service excellence, organization, flexibility, critical thinking, strong work ethic, interpersonal skills, and ability to work as part of a team.

Nice To Haves

Completion of a recognized Clinical Assistant, Medical Assistant, or EMT training program, or nursing students who have completed a 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, good standing with the state licensing board, or enrollment in an accredited school of nursing with completion of a Fundamentals of Nursing course; LPNs may apply.

Responsibilities

Accurately transcribe and compute physician orders, department orders, and messages; write legibly and communicate physician orders to the responsible nurse.
Assemble patient medical records, maintain chart order, prepare admission charts, and disassemble discharged or transferred charts while checking them for completeness.
Handle desk communications promptly, including intercom calls, pages, and routing messages to the appropriate person.
Replace forms in patient medical records and route patient-information requests promptly and accurately to the nurse.
Collect required unit data.
Measure and document intake and output, heights, weights, and vital signs.
Apply, monitor, and document restraint usage.
Collect urine, stool, and sputum specimens.
Perform and document point-of-care testing.
Perform and document patient mobility and 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; apply unsterile hot/cold packs or compresses, bandages, and elastic stockings.
Safely and correctly operate beds, wheelchairs, stretchers, hypo/hyperthermia units, mechanical lifts, and bed scales.
Maintain pleasant, courteous, and effective telephone conversations and interactions with others.
Order stock and maintain and enter charged items at the end of the shift according to procedure.
Orient new personnel to desk duties.
Assist with admitting, physical examination, transferring, and discharging patients.
Transport patients, lab work, specimens, and blood.
Follow universal precautions, infection-control, OSHA, regulatory, and facility safety policies and procedures.
Comply with company policies, procedures, standards of conduct, and HIPAA privacy and security requirements; maintain confidentiality.
Demonstrate professionalism, service, and organizational values; protect sensitive data and follow department safety guidelines.
Work collaboratively, support team members, and provide effective customer service to physicians, patients, residents, visitors, staff, and the broader health care community.
Perform other duties as assigned.