Patient Care Assistant

UCSF•San Francisco, CA

8d•$34 - $42

About The Position

The Patient Care Assistant (PCA), under the direction of a Registered Nurse, provides clinical and clerical support to the PACU, Pre-op, 23-hour stay, and Surgical Waiting Areas as needed. The PCA performs support functions directed toward positive patient care, meets patient needs, learns new skills, and fosters a harmonious work environment where high-quality patient care and customer service are consistently provided. Team members promote cooperative relationships with colleagues, physicians, other disciplines, and the public through effective communication, honesty, respect, cultural sensitivity, and professional feedback. The Perianesthesia Care Units at Bayfront Medical Center include Pre-operative (prep), Post-Anesthesia Care Units (PACU), and the 23-hour stay. The team provides compassionate care for adult and adolescent surgical patients aged 13 and up in an ambulatory care setting. Patients recover from a variety of surgeries and procedures, including general, ophthalmology, GYN, GU, OHNS, robotics, and plastic surgery. Patient care assistants work with nurses, surgeons, specialty physicians, anesthesiologists, and respiratory therapists to initiate recovery from surgery.

Requirements

Ability to work effectively within a team.
Ability to satisfactorily perform the duties defined in the job description.
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 the duties of a first responder in emergency situations.
Successful completion of Medical Center Patient Care Assistant training.
Basic computer skills.
High school graduate or equivalent.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of medical terminology appropriate to the responsibilities of the job.
Active American Heart Association CPR certification.

Responsibilities

Provide or assist with personal hygiene, including bathing, mouth care, and elimination needs.
Change bed linens as necessary.
Respond promptly to patients’ call lights.
Provide for patients’ comfort and safety, following prescribed measures such as ambulation, positioning, range-of-motion exercises, side rails, special beds, and restraints.
Use proper body mechanics and body alignment when turning, moving, or transferring patients or equipment.
Distribute nourishment to patients after checking wristband identification.
Assist patients with food needs, including meal setup, cutting food, and feeding.
Communicate food-tolerance problems and concerns related to nutritional needs.
Assist with admission, discharge, transfer, and transport of patients, personal belongings, and equipment.
Orient new patients to the unit and its routines.
Organize and prioritize patient-care tasks and assignments according to patient needs and preferences and unit activities.
Observe patients’ psychosocial, cultural, spiritual, and physical condition and report observations to the RN.
Recognize situations requiring supervision or guidance and seek the appropriate resource.
Provide complete and pertinent verbal and written reports about patient information, observations, and care given.
Prepare patient rooms for admissions and discharges.
Meet patients’ age-specific and developmental needs.
Perform selected patient-care procedures and other treatments as assigned by the RN.
Set up simple oxygen equipment, such as a nasal cannula or simple face mask, and maintain oxygen-therapy equipment.
Arrange timely delivery of specimens to the laboratory.
Empty linen hampers as needed.
Operate nursing-unit equipment, including computers, fax machines, imprinter devices, and intercom systems.
Complete other unit-maintenance activities as assigned.
Assist with answering telephones and reception when necessary.
Collect food trays from patient rooms and place them on tray carts when needed.
Maintain inventory of equipment and supplies in utility rooms as assigned.
Follow department, Medical Center, and University policies, procedures, and work rules.
Maintain confidentiality concerning patients and staff.
Follow Medical Center house and telephone standards.
Follow applicable infection-control, health, and safety policies and procedures, including annual safety training.
Support the Medical Center’s mission, philosophy, and goals.
Support unit and team goals and participate in staff meetings, in-services, and educational programs as required.
Participate in quality assurance and improvement processes in accordance with JCAHO and/or other regulatory agencies.
Maintain a clean, safe, and functional work environment.
Start work at the scheduled time and complete work on time.
Follow guidelines for use of sick leave and other paid time off.
Comply with the dress code, including wearing photo identification.
Perform other duties as assigned.