JOB SUMMARY

The Patient Care Assistant (PCA) receives daily assignments and functions under the supervision of the Registered Nurse to carry out direct patient care responsibilities.

All patient care team members act to meet patient needs and learn new skills to achieve quality patient care and customer service.  Team members promote a cooperative working relationship with each other, other staff, and the public by facilitating and enhancing communication, displaying honesty and respect, displaying sensitivity to age specific needs and cultural differences, and expressing and accepting feedback in a professional manner.

 

 

 

 

Required Qualifications:

• At least 1 year of working hands on in a healthcare environment.
• Ability to work effectively within a team.
• Ability to satisfactorily perform job duties as defined in the job description.
• Willingness to be taught/learn new skills.     
• Ability to understand and communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.                 
• Ability to perform basic arithmetic computations (addition and subtraction).                              
• Ability to organize and effectively set priorities.
• Knowledge of medical terminology appropriate to the responsibilities of the job is preferred.             
• Ability to carry out duties of first responder in emergency situations.                                             
• Successful completion of Medical Center Patient Care Assistant training.
• Basic computer skills.
• This position requires flexibility to orient and work at all UCSF Medical Center locations.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified Nursing Assistance Certification

%  

of time

Essential Function (Yes/No)

  

Key Responsibilities

(To be completed by Supervisor)

40

Yes

General Patient Care - performs general patient care duties as appropriate to ages served.

1. Provides or assists patients with personal hygiene such as bathing (tub, bed, shower), mouth care, elimination needs, and changing bed linens.

2. Responds to patients' call lights promptly.

3. Provides for patients’ comfort and safety; follows prescribed measures such as ambulating, positioning, range of motion exercises, side rails, special beds and restraints.

4. Turns, moves, and transfers patients and/or equipment using principles of proper body mechanics.

5. Assists patients with food needs, such as collecting menus, setting up meal trays, cutting food, and/or feeding.

6. Records nutritional intake on appropriate records which may include selected patients on calorie count.

7. Assists in admission, discharge, transfer, and transport of patients, personal belongings and equipment.

8. Orients new patients to the room/unit.

9. Organizes and prioritizes patient care tasks and assignments, considering each patient's needs and preferences and overall unit activities.

10. Assists with post-mortem care as assigned by the RN.

11. Performs sitter/close observation responsibilities as assigned.

12. Recognizes situations which necessitate supervision/guidance and seeks appropriate resources.

13. Relates complete and pertinent information, observations, and care given to patients in verbal and written reports.

14. Documents all procedures and care given in an accurate, legible, and properly signed manner.

 

40

Yes

Technical Duties - performs technical duties as appropriate to ages served.

1. Reports and records delegated patient data (e g. vital signs, pain score, oxygen saturation, height, weight, intake and output), and collects other patient data as assigned.

2. Performs selected patient care procedures (e g. basic skin care, application of hot and cold compresses/ice packs, incentive spirometry) and other treatments as assigned by the RN.

3. Carries out duties of first responder in emergency situations.

4. Sets up and maintains O2 therapy equipment.

5. Labels specimens accurately and arranges for timely delivery to the laboratory.

6. Performs EKGs, including appropriate documentation as required by the individual unit.

7. Checks and maintains EKG machines as required by the individual unit.

8. Operates nursing unit equipment (e g. computer, fax machine, imprinter device, intercom system) as required.

9. Completes other unit maintenance activities as assigned (e g. inventories and stocks supplies, maintains/cleans equipment such as IV pumps,        dinamaps, slide boards, wheelchairs, etc.). 

 

20

Yes

Other Duties and Responsibilities - performs other duties as appropriate to ages served.

1. Follows all unit, department, and Medical Center policies, procedures, and work rules.

2. Maintains confidentiality in matters related to patients and/or staff.

3. Follows House and Telephone Standards as established by Medical Center.

4. Maintains knowledge of and adheres to all applicable Medical Center and unit specific infection control, health and safety policies and procedures.

5. Completes annual safety training.

6. Supports the mission, philosophy, and goals of the Medical Center.

7. Supports the development of unit/team goals and actively participates in unit staff meetings, inservices, and educational programs as required.

8. Contributes to and actively participates in the quality assurance and quality improvement process.

9. Maintains a clean, safe and functional work environment.

10. Starts work at scheduled time and completes work on time.

11. Follows guidelines on use of sick leave and other paid time off.

12. Complies with dress code, including photo identification.

13. Provides unsolicited assistance to team members.

14. Uses appropriate chain of command when applicable, e.g., problem solving, seeking information.      

15. Performs other duties as assigned (e.g. emptying linen hampers, answering phones/unit reception, collecting meal trays, etc.).

 

100%

 

(To update total %, enter the amount of time in whole numbers (without the % symbol - e.g., 15, 20) then highlight the total sum (e.g., 1%) at the bottom of the column and press F9. The total sum should add up to 100%.)