Acute Care Technician - Behavioral Health

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia•King of Prussia, PA

7d•$23 - $29

About The Position

The Acute Care Technician provides direct and indirect care to patients and families under the guidance and direction of a registered nurse. The role performs invasive and non-invasive technical skills and specialized patient care procedures, along with other duties supporting 24-hour hospital operations. The position serves in the Behavioral Health area and includes patient observation, behavioral health screening, restraint-related duties, and participation in emergency response and decontamination preparedness. The schedule consists of three 12-hour shifts, with rotating days, nights, and weekends (every three weeks), as well as assigned holidays. The technician must receive an annual influenza vaccine as a condition of employment if working in patient care buildings or in a patient-facing role.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least one year of previous clinical health care experience.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification upon hire, issued by an organization requiring hands-on, instructor-led psychomotor skills verification, such as the American Heart Association or Red Cross.
Ability to perform clinical technical tasks.
Ability to communicate effectively with people of all ages.
Basic knowledge of growth and development.

Nice To Haves

Technical diploma in an EMT-Paramedic, EMT, LPN, or similar program.
Experience as an ED/Critical Care Technician at another hospital.
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification upon hire, issued by an organization requiring hands-on, instructor-led psychomotor skills verification, such as the American Heart Association or Red Cross.
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification upon hire, issued by an organization requiring hands-on, instructor-led psychomotor skills verification, such as the American Heart Association or Red Cross.

Responsibilities

Assist with patient and family care under RN direction, including initial triage, intake, and evaluation.
Document patient care, vital signs, weights, allergies, and interventions.
Monitor care, escalate concerns to the clinical care team, and communicate patient information quickly and accurately to appropriate team members.
Perform the bedside clinician role during traumas and resuscitations.
Provide basic life support airway clearance, including suctioning.
Position patients for procedures and specimen collection, including lumbar punctures.
Transfer patients to other departments and areas using appropriate techniques and equipment according to departmental guidelines.
Provide 1:1 safety observation according to hospital standards.
Initiate Behavioral Health Screening according to policy.
Apply, remove, and supervise restraints according to policy.
Assist with evidence collection according to hospital policy.
Assist with central venous catheter dressing changes.
Assist with recovery from Phase II sedation.
Perform procedures under RN or provider direction, including patient positioning, lifting, transferring, and turning; point-of-care testing; peripheral IV insertion with and without venous blood sampling; venipuncture/phlebotomy; priming parenteral fluids and enteral feeds; oxygen administration, including bag-valve mask or Mapleson airway support; EKGs; wound care and dressing application; casting and splinting under ED provider direction and policy; spinal immobilization; bladder scanning; straight catheterization; and OG/NG placement for gastric decompression.
Maintain proficiency with transport and patient care equipment, including stretchers, monitors, and infusion pumps.
Respond to hospital emergencies according to local emergency response plans.
Serve as a hospital Decontamination Team member and participate in Bioresponse Preparedness.
Comply with CHOP policies and procedures.
Use safety behaviors to prevent errors, identify potential safety concerns, and communicate concerns to clinical and unit leadership as appropriate.