Patient Care Assistant (PCA)

Health Unit Coordinator (HUC)

Unit Support

Patient Care Assistant
What does a Patient Care Assistant do?
A Patient Care Assistant is responsible for assisting with the needs and comfort of patients to include hygiene, activity, nutrition and treatments in accordance with policies and procedures and unit standards. A PCA observes patient condition, identifies changes and communicates to appropriate RN or designee. Information regarding the patient condition that is observed is documented on authorized forms. A High School diploma or equivalent may be required depending on the nursing unit. Training is provided.

Duties performed by a PCA may include:
HYGIENE:
Bathing
Making beds
Mouth care
Shampooing hair
Skin care

NUTRITION:
Feeding patients
Measure and document amount eaten and amount eliminated
Make patient meals for late trays and assist with menu selection

ACTIVITIES:
Toileting
Weighing patients and recording results
Patient transport during admission and patient discharge

SKILLS:
Check temperature, blood pressure and document results
Obtain urine/stool specimens and take to lab
Obtain and deliver blood products
Hook up oxygen tanks

MISCELLANEOUS DUTIES:
Answer call lights
Pick up and deliver equipment to rooms

Center for Surgical Care and Emergency Room positions may include duties in addition to those listed above.

Health Unit Coordinator
What does a Health Unit Coordinator do?
This position accurately transcribes medical orders, communicates to appropriate department, and nursing personnel and documents those orders in the appropriate place in a timely manner. A Health Unit Coordinator greets and assists patient/families, physicians and healthcare workers and manages telephone communications. Organizes and maintains the patient’s medical record on the unit. Files documentation and reviews chart for appropriate contents. The HUC is responsible for maintenance and organization of forms, supplies, charts and office equipment according to unit requirements. Assists with other clerical functions such as automated time card audit, updating manuals and providing support to staff organizing patient transfer. A High school diploma or equivalent is required for this position.

Duties performed by a HUC may include:

Transcribing Orders
Unit Communications
Medical Record Management
Unit Clerical Support

Unit Support
What does a Unit Support do?
A unit support performs a variety of tasks. These tasks may include delivering laboratory specimens to appropriate area, bringing a bed scale to a patient’s room and returning after use and completing errands requested by patients. Unit support also orders, obtains and delivers supplies and equipment. Performs a variety of clerical functions (e.g. answering phones and taking messages, sorting and delivering mail). Stocks all supplies (e.g. emergency carts/stock drugs, utility rooms, treatment, exam and procedure rooms and linen cabinets).
High school diploma or equivalent is preferred.

Duties performed by a Unit Support may include:

CLERICAL TASKS
Answers telephone calls and takes messages

PATIENT RELATED
Transports patients to and from tests
Directs families to rooms, cafeteria and other general public areas
Assists with patient care activities
Answers call lights

STOCKING AND MAINTENANCE TASKS
Stocks patient care servers
Stocks unit supplies
Stocks nourishments and kitchen/pantry
Stocks unit linen supplies