Patient Care Assistant - Recovery Room; PACU - Rotating Shifts; Non-Exempt

Overview

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) provides nursing staff support in patient care delivery, clerical functions, and organization of the unit environment, as well as set-up and maintenance of equipment. The emphasis on each area will depend on the unit assigned.

• Patient Satisfaction:
  Responds to patient calls within 10 minutes, anticipates patient needs, proactively makes rounds to reduce calls, maintains positive behaviors toward patients and visitors, and provides the RN with necessary data related to patient assessment. Contributes input into the patient s plan of care and accurately implements interventions in collaboration with the RN.
• Performs essential skills contributing to positive patient outcomes per routing, MD orders, and RN direction: vitals, daily weight, intake and output, hygiene (bath, peri-care, oral care, HS care, hair care), maintains clear and organized patient rooms, assists with meals/feeding, ambulation/mobility (turns bed patients every 2 hours, transfers from bed to chair), provides fresh water at the beginning and end of shift and PRN, appropriately prioritizes patient needs.
• Safety:
  Ensures a safe physical environment and safe operation of patient-care equipment; maintains access to call light/telephone within reach; floors free of fall hazards; uncluttered access to bathroom, ambulation, and emergency equipment (e.g., commodes, walkers, shower chairs, IV poles, beds, tables).
• Documentation:
  Documents all care provided, including vital signs, intake and output, meal percentages, equipment used, and patient care records.
• Communication:
  Makes presence known before entering a room or private area; identifies and introduces self to patient and visitors; explains plan of care; uses all computerized systems to send messages, document care, and communicate patient/unit needs; follows department communications; reports relevant information or changes in patient condition to the RN/Charge Nurse in a timely manner; collaborates with the RN at the beginning and throughout the shift regarding patient care and data collection.
• Regulatory/Compliance:
  Maintains survey readiness; enforces unit policies (no food/drink in nurses station, no open containers in patient pantry, no outside food in patient refrigerator, keep areas clean); maintains clean/tidy nurses station, locker room, and pantry; ensures unit confidentiality and privacy of patient records and information.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Graduate from an accredited Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program or equivalent training. Grandfathered CNA certification requirements may apply if hired/transferred prior to 8/2016.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.

• One year of experience in a health care setting (preferred).

• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification (CA DPH). Grandfathered from CNA certification requirement if hired/transferred prior to 8/2016.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider certification from American Heart Association.
• Fire Life Safety Training (LA City). If no card upon hire, one must be obtained within 30 days and maintained by renewal before expiration (LA City only).

The hourly rate range for this position is $22.00 - $37.40. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, legal and contractual considerations, grant funding, and external market conditions.