Pat Care Ast

University of California, San Francisco•San Francisco, CA

About The Position

The Patient Care Assistant (PCA) receives daily assignments and works under the supervision of a Registered Nurse to provide direct patient care. The role supports quality patient care and customer service by responding to patient needs, learning new skills, and fostering cooperative relationships with patients, families, coworkers, other staff, and the public. PCAs communicate respectfully and professionally, show sensitivity to age-specific needs and cultural differences, and give and receive feedback appropriately. The position provides general and technical patient care appropriate to the populations served. Duties include helping patients with personal hygiene, comfort, safety, mobility, meals, and transfers; collecting and documenting patient data; carrying out delegated procedures and treatments; and operating or maintaining unit equipment. The PCA also supports unit operations, follows Medical Center policies and safety practices, maintains patient confidentiality, and participates in team, education, and quality-improvement activities. The role requires flexibility to orient and work at all UCSF Medical Center locations.

Requirements

At least 1 year of hands-on work in a healthcare environment.
Ability to work effectively within a team.
Ability to satisfactorily perform the job duties described.
Willingness to be taught and learn new skills.
Ability to understand and communicate effectively in English, orally and in writing.
Ability to perform basic arithmetic computations, including addition and subtraction.
Ability to organize and set priorities effectively.
Ability to carry out first-responder duties in emergency situations.
Successful completion of Medical Center Patient Care Assistant training.
Basic computer skills.
Flexibility to orient and work at all UCSF Medical Center locations.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of medical terminology appropriate to the job responsibilities.
Certified Nursing Assistant certification.
One year of EKG experience.

Responsibilities

Provide or assist with personal hygiene, including bathing, mouth care, elimination needs, and changing bed linens.
Respond promptly to patient call lights and help maintain patient comfort and safety by following prescribed measures such as ambulation, positioning, range-of-motion exercises, and use of side rails, special beds, and restraints.
Turn, move, and transfer patients and/or equipment using proper body mechanics.
Assist with patients’ food needs, including collecting menus, setting up trays, cutting food, and feeding; record nutritional intake as required.
Assist with patient admission, discharge, transfer, and transport, including personal belongings and equipment; orient new patients to the room or unit.
Organize and prioritize patient care tasks based on patients’ needs and preferences and overall unit activities.
Assist with post-mortem care as assigned by the RN and perform sitter or close-observation duties as assigned.
Recognize when supervision or guidance is needed and seek appropriate resources.
Communicate complete and pertinent information, observations, and care provided through verbal and written reports; document procedures and care accurately, legibly, and with proper signatures.
Report and record delegated patient data, including vital signs, pain scores, oxygen saturation, height, weight, intake, and output, and collect other patient data as assigned.
Perform selected patient-care procedures and treatments as assigned by the RN, such as basic skin care, applying hot or cold compresses or ice packs, and incentive spirometry.
Carry out first-responder duties in emergency situations.
Set up and maintain oxygen therapy equipment; accurately label specimens and arrange timely delivery to the laboratory.
Perform and document EKGs and check and maintain EKG machines as required by the unit.
Operate nursing-unit equipment, including computers, fax machines, imprinter devices, and intercom systems, as required.
Perform unit maintenance activities such as stocking supplies and maintaining or cleaning equipment, including IV pumps, dinamaps, slide boards, and wheelchairs.
Follow unit, department, and Medical Center policies, procedures, work rules, House and Telephone Standards, and infection-control, health, and safety requirements; complete annual safety training.
Maintain confidentiality regarding patients and staff, and comply with privacy, security, and protected health information requirements.
Support the Medical Center’s mission, philosophy, and goals; contribute to unit/team goals and participate in staff meetings, in-services, and required educational programs.
Participate in quality assurance and improvement activities and take accountability for improving applicable quality metrics and meeting organizational or departmental targets.
Maintain a clean, safe, functional, neat, and orderly work environment; follow cleaning processes, return items to their proper locations, and correct or report unsafe conditions and broken equipment or furniture.
Follow Living PRIDE service standards, communicate effectively and professionally, demonstrate cultural sensitivity, assist patients and families with directions, and work cooperatively with colleagues.
Start and complete work on time, follow guidelines for sick leave and other paid time off, comply with the dress code and photo-identification requirements, and use the appropriate chain of command.
Provide assistance to team members and perform other assigned duties, including tasks such as emptying linen hampers, answering phones or unit reception, and collecting meal trays.