Patient Care Assistant - 8 W Med ICU - Full Time 12 Hour Nights (Non-Exempt) (union)

About the Role

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 depends on the unit assigned.

Responsibilities

• Patient Satisfaction:
  • Responds to patient calls within 10 minutes.
  • Anticipates patient needs and proactively makes rounds to reduce patient calls.
  • Maintains positive behaviors toward patients and visitors.
  • Smiles and is pleasant during all interactions.
  • 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.
• Essential Skills:
  • Performs vitals, daily weight, intake & output (I & O), hygiene (bath, peri-care, oral care, HS care, hair care).
  • Maintains clear and organized patient rooms.
  • Assists with meals/feeding.
  • Supports ambulation/mobility; turns bed patients every 2 hours, transfers from bed to chair.
  • Provides fresh water at the beginning and end of shift and as needed.
  • Appropriately prioritizes patient needs.
• Safety:
  • Ensures a safe physical environment and safe operation of patient-care equipment.
  • Keeps call light/telephone within reach.
  • Maintains floors clear of fall hazards.
  • Ensures uncluttered and easy access to bathroom, ambulation, and emergency equipment (commodes, walkers, shower chairs, IV poles, beds, tables/chairs).
• Documentation:
  • Documents all care provided, including vital signs, intake and output, meal percentages, equipment used, and patient care.
• Communication:
  • Makes presence known before entering a room or private area.
  • Identifies/introduces self to patient and visitors.
  • Explains plan of care to the patient.
  • Avoids inappropriate discussions regarding other patients and unit operations.
  • Utilizes computerized systems to send messages, document care, and communicate patient/unit needs.
  • Follows the line of communication within the department.
  • Reports pertinent information, significant changes in patient condition, patient/family concerns, and patient refusal of care to RN/Charge Nurse in a timely manner.
  • Reports patient’s inability to perform self-care and describes actions taken to RN/Charge Nurse.
  • Actively collaborates with the RN at the beginning and throughout the shift regarding patient care and data collection.
• Regulatory Compliance:
  • Ensures the unit is in continuous survey readiness (e.g., no food/drink in nurses station, no open containers in patient pantry, no outside food in patient refrigerator).
  • Maintains clean staff refrigerator, covered linens, and closed fire doors.
  • Keeps nurses station, locker room, and pantry clean/tidy.
  • Maintains patient confidentiality and ensures confidentiality of patient records.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent (required).
• 1 year of experience in a healthcare setting (preferred).
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing (required).
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CA DPH) certification (required).
• Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider certification from the American Heart Association (required).
• Fire Life Safety Training (LA City) certification (required within 30 days of hire if not already obtained).

About the Organization

Keck Hospital of USC is a 343-bed acute care hospital providing 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 using highly innovative techniques and treatment plans. As a leading academic medical center, hundreds of clinical trials are conducted at Keck Hospital and its affiliated research institutions, offering patients access to novel and promising therapies not generally available elsewhere.

Pay

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.