U

University of Southern California

Research university in Los Angeles, CA

Patient Care Assistant

Full-TimeUpdated
$22.88 - $38.90/hr
Entry
Los Angeles, CA, USA
In Person
Medical, Clinical & VeterinaryNursing & Frontline Patient Care

About the job

Requirements
  • A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
  • The ability to communicate effectively in English, verbally and in writing, is required.
  • Certification as a Nursing Assistant through the California Department of Public Health is required.
  • Basic Life Support certification as a Healthcare Provider from the American Heart Association is required.
  • Fire Life Safety Training for Los Angeles City is required; if the employee does not have a card upon hire, it must be obtained within 30 days and maintained through renewal before expiration.
  • One year of experience in a health care setting is preferred.
Responsibilities
  • Provide nursing staff support in patient care delivery, clerical functions, organization of the unit environment, and equipment setup and maintenance, with emphasis depending on unit assignment.
  • Respond to patient calls within 10 minutes, anticipate patient needs, make proactive rounds to reduce calls, maintain positive behavior toward patients and visitors, and provide the registered nurse with relevant patient assessment data.
  • Contribute input to the patient’s plan of care and accurately implement its interventions in collaboration with the registered nurse.
  • Perform essential skills that support positive patient outcomes according to routing, physician orders, and registered nurse direction, including taking vital signs and daily weights; measuring intake and output; providing bathing, perineal, oral, bedtime, and hair care; keeping patient rooms organized; assisting with meals and feeding; supporting ambulation and mobility; turning bed patients every two hours; and transferring patients between bed and chair.
  • Provide fresh water at the beginning and end of each shift and as needed, and prioritize patient needs appropriately.
  • Maintain a safe physical environment and ensure safe operation of patient-care equipment, including keeping call lights and telephones within reach, clearing floors of fall hazards, and maintaining clear access to bathrooms, ambulation routes, and emergency equipment such as commodes, walkers, shower chairs, intravenous poles, beds, tables, and chairs.
  • Document all care provided, including vital signs, intake and output, meal percentages, equipment used, and patient care.
  • Make presence known before entering a room or private area, identify oneself to patients and visitors, and explain the plan of care to the patient.
  • Avoid inappropriate discussions about other patients and unit operations.
  • Use computerized systems to send messages, document care, and communicate patient or unit needs to other departments; follow the department’s communication chain.
  • Report pertinent information, significant changes in patient condition, patient and family concerns, and refusals of care to the registered nurse or charge nurse in a timely manner.
  • Report a patient’s inability to perform self-care and describe actions taken that were ineffective.
  • Collaborate actively with the registered nurse at the beginning of and throughout each shift regarding patient care and data collection.
  • Maintain the unit in continuous survey readiness, including following rules for food and drink, containers, outside food, boxes, refrigerators, linens, fire doors, and cleanliness of the nurses’ station, locker room, and pantry.
  • Maintain patient confidentiality and protect the confidentiality of patient records and other written information.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.

About the company

U

University of Southern California

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The University of Southern California is a private research university with academic programs across the arts, sciences, business, engineering, law, health, and other professional fields.

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