Patient Care Assistant - Pre-Post Op HC3 - Per Diem 12 Hour Rotating Shifts (Non-Exempt) (Non-Union)

University of Southern California; Glendale (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Keck Hospital of USC seeks a Patient Care Technician to support nursing staff in patient care delivery, clerical tasks, and unit organization. The emphasis varies by unit to best meet patient needs.

The role emphasizes assisting the RN, data collection, documentation, and ensuring patient comfort and safety, with competency in Cerner and pre-op equipment usage. Requires BLS and CNA credentials where applicable.

Qualifications

• Req High School or equivalent.
• Pref 1 year experience in a health care setting.
• Pref EMT, PTA, or nursing program enrollment.
• Req Ability to communicate effectively in English.
• Req Certified Nursing Assistant (CA DPH).
• Req Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider.
• Req Fire Life Safety Training (LA City) if applicable.

Responsibilities

• Assist RN in patient care and progress toward improvement.
• Provide RN with data related to patient assessment and plan.
• Document care provided and communicate abnormal findings to RN.
• Assist with activities of daily living and mobility for patients.
• Coordinate patient flow and prioritize nursing activities with the surgical schedule.

Skills

English communication

Patient care support

Cerner system

Education

HS Diploma or equivalent

Tools

Cerner system

EKG equipment

Job description

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

Essential Duties

• The clinical practice of the Patient Care Assistant is to assist the RN in the provision of care to the patient. The PCA (PCT) gathers data, reports that data to the RN on a timely basis, accurately documents that data, and assists the patient in performing activities of daily living, as needed. The PCA (PCT) actively collaborates with and takes direction from the RN about the patient's plan of care. The priority of the PCA is to assist the RN in progressing the patient toward improvement or maintenance of optimal physiological, psychological and social states.
• Provides RN with necessary data related to patient assessment.
• Contributes input into the patient's plan of care and accurately implements interventions on the patient's plan of care, in collaboration with the RN.
• Performs essential skills which contribute to the RN's plan of care and positive patient outcomes.
• Ensures that patients are provided assistance as needed with activities of daily living and mobility.
• To ensure patient satisfaction, anticipates patient needs, keeps patient informed and explains all procedures.
• Prevents complications by assisting patient with the appropriate use of therapeutic interventions, patient care equipment and assistive devices.
• Flexibility in collaborating with the RN to modify the patient's plan of care to meet the changing needs of the patient.
• Identifies interventions which are not producing the desired outcomes and communicates these to the RN on an ongoing basis.
• Prioritizes patient care needs appropriately.
• Documents all care provided, including vital signs, intake and output, meal percentages and equipment used, and effectively communicates abnormal findings to the RN.
• Communication: 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 of care in a timely manner. Reports to RN/Charge Nurse patient's inability to perform self-care and describes actions taken which were ineffective. Actively collaborates with the RN regarding patient care and patient flow.
• Communication: Knows and utilizes all computerized systems to send messages, document care, and communicate patient/unit needs to various departments.
• Demonstrates the ability to assist in the provision of care
• Adherence to National Patient Safety Goals in all areas of practice,
• Accurately utilizes Cerner system documentation,
• Coordinates patient flow, prioritizes nursing activities according to patient care needs and the surgical schedule.
• Performs proper use of pre-op equipment's (EKG, computer). Following proper procedures in quality control, and care of the equipment.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Req High School or equivalent
• Pref 1 year Experience in a health care setting
• Pref Previous medical training (EMT, PT Aide, or enrolled in a nursing program)

• Req Ability to communicate effectively in English both verbally and in writing.

• Req Certified Nursing Assistant (CA DPH)
• Req Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider from American Heart Association
• Req Fire Life Safety Training (LA City) If no card upon hire, one must be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained by renewal before expiration date. (Required within LA City only)

Keck Hospital of USC, a 343-bed acute care hospital, provides exceptional and innovative care for complex medical and surgical conditions across a wide range of specialties. The hospital's world-renowned physicians deliver compassionate, customized, patient-centered care and treat the most acutely ill patients with highly innovative techniques and treatment plans. As a leading academic medical center, hundreds of clinical trials are currently taking place at Keck Hospital and its affiliated research institutions, giving patients access to novel and promising therapies that are generally not available elsewhere. Every day at Keck Hospital, physicians, nurses and staff go beyond the science of exceptional medicine to bring patients breakthroughs in the art of caring. Join this world-class team providing highly specialized care, up-to-the-minute research, and innovative clinical trials.

The hourly rate range for this position is $22.88 - $38.90.

When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.