PCA - Unit Secretary - Surgical ICU

This is a position that is a combination role of a Unit Secretary as well as a PCA (Patient Care Associate), works under the supervision of the nursing Director/RN/or physician. Administers quality patient care according to established standards. May also be required to work in other areas according to skill of staff and the acuity of patients. Provides exceptional service to all patients and customers. This is a patient care team member who also performs tasks which are directed towards the patient's information management. Works as the receptionist for the nursing unit and performs clerical duties to support patient care decision-making.

• Creates paper charts for new patients and reviews patient charts for accuracy and completeness.
• Receives and relays information to nursing staff, physicians, patients, family members and visitors by acting as communication liaison.
• Copies, prints, scans and faxes documents as needed.
• Orders miscellaneous supplies for assigned units.
• Bathes, dresses, and undresses patients. May also be assigned simple dressing changes, non-diabetic nail care, skin care, hair care, and changes bed linens daily as needed.
• Passes dietary snacks between meals. Serves and collects food trays and feeds patients requiring help.
• Assists with transporting patients.
• Lifts, turns and repositions patients, alone or with assistance.
• Cleans equipment.
• Documents care.
• Other duties as assigned

• H.S. Diploma - Required
• PCA education requirements:a. an Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP) training program in the last three years, orb. a fundamentals of nursing course, orc. a certified nursing assistant program with obtainment of certification (C.N.A.), ord. a graduate of a professional or practical nursing program who did not pass the state licensure examination in the past three years ore. A graduate of a professional or practical nursing program outside the United States and awaiting licensure in this country - Required

• In lieu of a. through e. listed above in the Education section, documented experience as a nurse assistant, emergency medical technician, or surgical technician in the past (5) years - Required
• 1 Year - Experience as a nurse assistant in an inpatient setting - Preferred

• Basic Life Support (BLS) - Required within 90 Days
• CPI: Nonviolent Crisis Intervention - Required within 90 Days
• Any other required training by the organization - Required within 90 Days

• Must be able to travel between various system facilities and off-site locations as needed. - Required

Essential Technical/Motor Skills

• Fine motor skills required, eye/hand coordination, walk, ability to speak clearly, hear and answer phone, data entry

Interpersonal Skills

• Must build rapport with patient families, visitors, peers and physicians as well as other departments and divisions.
• Display a friendly, positive attitude and communicates with patients, families, physicians and co-workers in a professional manner.

Essential Physical Requirements

• Must be able to go from patient location to patient location to administer care plan; must be able to occasionally turn the average weight of an adult bedridden patient and ambulate patients who require assistance.
• Must move, kneel, crouch, stoop, reach, stand, push, pull, and lift.
• Must follow good body mechanics.

Essential Mental Abilities

• Ability to collect thorough information regarding patient's condition and evaluate effects of care; must be able to visually inspect patient's condition.
• Problem solves, manipulate numbers, adaptability, interpret data, calculate, comprehend, understand, explain, assess, evaluate

Essential Sensory Requirements

• Ability to visually assess condition; must be able to communicate with patient in order to assess condition and evaluate effects of care.
• Visual, hearing, feeling, smell

Exposure to Hazards

• Needles, cuts, back injury, chemotherapy, blood and body fluids, physical injury from combative patients, radiation exposure.
• Infection/disease exposure from patients, visitors, and co-workers.

Other Skills and Abilities