Patient Care Assistant

Patient Care Assistant

Location: Dick Conner Correctional Center

Basic Purpose: Positions in this job family are assigned responsibilities for providing direct and indirect non-professional nursing care or outreach services in a clinic, hospital, institution or home setting under nursing or medical supervision. This includes performing duties such as taking vital signs, obtaining lab specimens, charting, escorting patients, assisting with activities of daily living, and ordering and receiving supplies.

Typical Functions:

• Performs direct nursing tasks including taking vital signs, assisting with activities of daily living and hygiene needs, and obtaining certain lab specimens.
• Charts observations and activities, reporting pertinent changes in the patient's condition.
• Performs delegated or other specialized functions as educationally prepared.
• Escorts patients to and from various destinations.
• Assists in maintaining and providing a clean, safe environment.
• Orders, receives and stores supplies and performs basic clerical functions.
• Participates in follow-up activities and tracking clients, schedules appointments and performs other related tasks.
• Provides case finding and recruitment of at risk persons for comprehensive health services.

Level Descriptor:

Level I: This is the basic level where employees perform routine entry-level work, and receive training in providing care or services to patients or clients. In this role they will primarily assist other patient care staff in performing various functions and work under close supervision.

Level II: This is the career level of this job family where employees perform a full range of patient care duties or services under nursing or medical direction. This includes taking vital signs, obtaining lab specimens, assisting with activities of daily living, observing and charting patient information, and reporting appropriate information to supervisors. It may also include providing various outreach services to clients within the community.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Competencies:

Level I: Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of the English language in order to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Ability is required to record observations and activities, to follow oral and written directions, and establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Level II: Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of the English language in order to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; of public health services available to the community; of record keeping; of the techniques of interviewing, of basic nursing practices and techniques; of basic methods of sanitation and personal hygiene; and of medical terminology. Ability is required to record observations and activities, to follow oral and written directions; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; and to apply basic nursing techniques.

Education and Experience:

Level I: Education and Experience required at this level is none.

Level II: Education and Experience required at this level consists of one year of experience in providing patient care.

Special Requirements: The Oklahoma Department of Corrections requires current certification in good standing by the Oklahoma State Department of Health as a (CMA) Certified Medication Aide for all levels of the Patient Care Assistant job family. The Department of Corrections has determined that some positions in this job family are safety sensitive as defined by 63 O.S. § 427.8. This is an on-site position and is not eligible for remote work.

Equal Opportunity Employment: The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.