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Hospital Assistant

UCI Series Concepts

Class Specifications - H.10
Hospital Assistant II - 8904
Hospital Assistant I - 8905

April, 1973

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SERIES CONCEPT

Hospital Assistants assist professional nursing and technical personnel 
in the care and treatment of patients in a hospital and/or clinic 
facility; operate and maintain special equipment and devices; and 
perform other related duties as required.

Incumbents perform duties which are directly related to the physical 
care of patients in an in-patient or out-patient facility.  Incumbents 
assist with patient admission, transfer and discharge; answer patient 
signals; bathe and feed patients; assist with patient's output; observe, 
measure, report and record all intake and output; assist with the care 
and maintenance of patients and examining units; assist physician with 
physical examinations and treatments; weigh patients and take and record 
temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiration; assist with the 
application and removal of protective and comfort devices; assist in 
caring for patients in isolation; prepare patients for surgery; hold and 
position patients for anesthesia and surgery; support and ambulate 
patients; assist with post-mortem care; assist with the ordering, care 
and conservation of hospital equipment and supplies; and may run errands 
and perform routine clerical duties.

Incumbents administer procedures and treatments as instructed and may 
operate and maintain special equipment and medical devices.  Incumbents 
operate equipment such as the autoclave, fluoroscopic radiographic 
machine, hydraulic hoist, circolectric bed; set up specialized equipment 
such as traction, suction, and reapply Buck's traction, and weights; 
make up sterile trays and packs; prepare and start formula feeding via 
nasogastric tubes already in place on alert patients; test urine for 
sugar, acetone, and specific gravity; measure gastric suction; assist 
with cystoscopic studies and procedures; assist with postural drainage; 
administer cleansing and retention enemas, ice collars, rectal tubes, 
perineal care, scultetus binders, alcohol baths, heat lamps, non-sterile 
hot and cold compresses; and apply K-pads and freeze-a-bags.

These classes are distinguished from the class of Vocational Nurse in 
that the duties performed do not require licensure and they are more 
routine in nature, or they are performed under the supervision of 
licensed personnel such as a staff nurse or a physician.

                        CLASS CONCEPTS

Hospital Assistant 11

Under supervision, incumbents perform the duties of a Hospital Assistant 
I and, in addition, they perform the more difficult and complex tasks, 
requiring special skills and training which are normally acquired 
through formal training and/or on-the-job training.

Typically at this level, incumbents operate specialized equipment such 
as flouroscopic radiographic machines hydraulic hoist, and circolectric 
bed; set up specialized equipment such as traction, and suction; reapply 
Buck's traction, weights; perform special cast room procedures; assist 
in cystoscopic procedures; assist in the operating room including 
setting up special equipment, positioning of equipment, table, and 
patients for the administering of anestbesia, and for specific surgical 
procedures; may be in charge of the scrub room, requiring a knowledge of 
special sterile techniques and surgical asepsis; assist with the care of 
patients in isolation; measure gastric suction; prepare and start 
formula feeding on alert patients via naso-gastric tubes; assist in 
physical therapy by preparing lamps, short wave machines, Hubbard tank, 
whirlpool, packs, baths, and other apparatus and equipment for 
individual treatment.

Hospital Assistant I

Incumbents perform routine duties of a limited variety which normally do 
not require special skills or training.  Work is performed under the 
close supervision of higher level hospital personnel.

Typically at this level, incumbents weigh and measure patients; collect 
specimens; transport patients; feed and dress patients; assist in 
keeping patients and their beds, clothing, equipment, and quarters clean 
and orderly; assist with post-mortem care, and may assist in the care 
and maintenance of equipment and supplies.

                     MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Hospital Assistant II

One year of experience as a Hospital Assistant or successful completion 
of a formal nursing aid training program; or an equivalent combination 
of training and experience.

Hospital Assistant I

Ability to read, write, and follow oral and written instruction.

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