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 focused on positive patient care, meets patient needs, learns new skills, and helps foster a harmonious work environment that consistently provides high-quality care and customer service. Team members promote cooperative relationships with colleagues, physicians, other disciplines, and the public through effective communication, honesty, respect, cultural sensitivity, and professional feedback. Bayfront Medical Center’s Perianesthesia Care Units 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 older in an ambulatory setting. Patients recover from a variety of surgeries and procedures, including general, ophthalmology, GYN, GU, OHNS, robotic, and plastic surgery. Patient care assistants work with nurses, surgeons, specialty physicians, anesthesiologists, and respiratory therapists to support recovery from surgery.

Requirements

High school graduation or equivalent.
Ability to work effectively within a team.
Ability to satisfactorily perform the duties described for the position.
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 effectively set priorities.
Ability to carry out duties of a first responder in emergency situations.
Successful completion of Medical Center Patient Care Assistant training.
Basic computer skills.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assist patients with personal hygiene, including bathing, mouth care, and elimination needs.
Change bed linens as needed and respond promptly to patients’ call lights.
Support patient comfort and safety by following prescribed measures such as ambulation, positioning, range-of-motion exercises, side rails, special beds, and restraints.
Use proper body mechanics and alignment when turning, moving, and transferring patients or equipment.
Distribute nourishment after checking patient wristband identification; assist with meal setup, cutting food, or feeding; and communicate food tolerance problems or nutritional concerns.
Assist with patient admission, discharge, transfer, and transportation, including personal belongings and equipment.
Orient new patients to the unit and its routines.
Organize and prioritize care tasks and assignments according to patient needs and preferences and unit activities.
Observe and report patients’ psychosocial, cultural, spiritual, and physical conditions to the Registered Nurse.
Recognize situations requiring supervision or guidance and seek an appropriate resource.
Provide complete and pertinent verbal and written reports of information, observations, and nursing care given.
Prepare patient rooms for admissions and discharges and meet patients’ age-specific and developmental needs.
Perform selected patient care procedures and treatments as assigned by the Registered Nurse.
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 and complete other assigned unit maintenance activities.
Operate nursing unit equipment, including computers, fax machines, imprinter devices, and intercom systems.
Assist with telephone answering and reception when necessary; collect food trays and place them on tray carts; and maintain utility-room equipment and supply inventory as assigned.
Follow department, Medical Center, and University policies, procedures, and work rules, including confidentiality, house and telephone standards, infection control, health and safety policies, and annual safety training.
Support the Medical Center’s mission, philosophy, and goals, and participate in unit/team goal development, staff meetings, in-services, educational programs, and quality assurance and improvement processes.
Maintain a clean, safe, and functional work environment; start and complete work on time; follow sick leave and paid time-off guidelines; and comply with the dress code, including photo identification.
Perform other duties as assigned.