Patient Care Assistant - Float Pool - Full Time 12 Hour Nights (Non-Exempt) (Union)

Keck Medicine of USC; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 30,307 - 51,522; Full time

Job summary

Keck Medicine of USC is seeking a Patient Care Technician in Los Angeles, California. The role involves providing nursing support and assisting with patient care delivery, monitoring vital signs, and maintaining a safe and organized environment. Required qualifications include a high school diploma and certification in Basic Life Support. Preferred experience includes one year in a healthcare setting. The hourly rate is between $22.00 and $37.40, dependent on various factors including experience and skills.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Graduate from an accredited Certified Nursing Program, especially for those hired before 8/2016.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English.

Responsibilities

• Provides nursing staff support in patient care delivery and clerical functions.
• Responds to patient calls within 10 minutes.
• Documents all care provided, including vital signs and patient care.

Skills

Effective communication in English

Patient monitoring skills

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Graduate from an accredited Certified Nursing Program

Tools

Basic Life Support (BLS)

Computerized systems for documentation

Job description

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

Essential Duties

• Responds to patient call within 10 minutes.
• Anticipates patient needs.
• Proactively makes rounds to reduce patient calls.
• Maintains positive behaviors toward patients and visitors.
• Smiles and is pleasant during all interactions.
• Provides 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.
• Vital signs monitoring.
• Daily weight measurement.
• Intake and output (I & O).
• 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 beginning and end of shift and prn.
• Appropriately prioritizes patient needs.
• Ensures safe physical environment and safe operation of patient‑care equipment.
• Call light/telephone within reach.
• Floors clear of fall hazards.
• Maintains uncluttered access to bathroom, ambulation, and emergency equipment.
• Commodes, walkers, shower chairs, IV poles, beds, tables/chairs.
• Documents all care provided, including vital signs, intake and output, meal percentages, equipment used, and patient care.
• Makes presence known before entering a room or private area.
• Identifies/introduces self to patient and visitors.
• Explains plan of care to the patient.
• Does not engage in inappropriate discussions regarding other patients and unit operations.
• Uses all computerized systems to send messages, document care, and communicate patient/unit needs to various departments.
• Knows and follows line of communication within the department.
• Reports to RN/Charge Nurse pertinent information/significant change in patient condition, patient and family concerns, and patient refusal of care in a timely manner.
• Reports to RN/Charge Nurse patient’s inability to perform self‑care and describes actions taken that were ineffective.
• Actively collaborates with the RN at the beginning and throughout the shift regarding patient care and data collection.
• Ensures unit is in continuous survey readiness.
• No food/drink in nurses station, no open containers in patient pantry, no outside food in patient refrigerator, no boxes or other items on the floor.
• Staff refrigerator kept clean.
• Linens covered at all times.
• Keep fire door closed.
• Maintain clean/tidy nurses station, locker room, pantry.
• Maintain patient confidentiality; ensures confidentiality of patient records and other written information.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Specialized/technical training: Graduate from an accredited Certified Nursing Program (*grandfathered from CNA Certification requirement if hired/transferred prior to 8/2016).
• Ability to communicate effectively in English both verbally and in writing.

Preferred Qualifications

• 1 year experience in a health care setting.

Required Licenses/Certifications

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

The hourly rate range for this position is $22.00 - $37.40. University of Southern California considers factors such as scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, and external market and organizational considerations.