Ambulatory Patient Care Tech - Neurology

Children's National Hospital

1d•$21 - $42•Onsite

About The Position

The Ambulatory Patient Care Tech works collaboratively with a multidisciplinary health care delivery team, under the direction of a Registered Nurse. The role performs basic nursing care activities, helps maintain a safe, clean, and stocked patient care setting, assists staff, and supports patient flow in the Neurology/PM R/PT-OT Clinic. The position includes gathering and documenting patient information, obtaining vital signs and measurements, assisting with basic patient care, recognizing and escalating clinical concerns, preparing exam rooms, maintaining equipment and supplies, and supporting laboratory workflows. The role also helps patients and families navigate the clinic and maintains professional, courteous communication with families and clinical staff.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Current certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), or Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT).
Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider (BLS).
Follow directions precisely and maintain confidentiality.
Complete and maintain any certification or licensure required by the applicable practice jurisdiction.

Nice To Haves

One year of experience in an acute health care setting, preferably pediatrics.

Responsibilities

Collect and accurately document patient information, including chief complaint, current medications, allergies, tobacco and smoking history, and smoke exposure as reported by family.
Obtain and document vital signs, height, weight, and head circumference.
Orient families to the clinic environment and visit paperwork.
Recognize abnormalities, pain, indicators of abuse or neglect, and signs of distress; report or escalate concerns to the Registered Nurse or Provider.
Remain with a child in distress and institute Basic Life Support procedures when necessary.
Provide basic nursing care, including offering nourishment, assisting with ambulation, and escorting patients at discharge.
Check that patient-care equipment is in working order, take corrective actions as needed, and report repair needs.
Collect specimens and perform assigned testing according to policy and procedure, including point-of-care testing and applicable lab draws.
Explain specimen collection to patients or guardians, inform families about clinical resources, and offer relevant health-care brochures.
Meet Joint Commission and Department of Health documentation requirements and complete the clean sweep tool weekly.
Maintain a neat, orderly environment and prepare exam rooms for patients.
Prioritize tasks and special requests, complete tasks, or report when unable to complete them.
Obtain equipment and supplies and maintain PAR levels.
Monitor the waiting room, keep families informed of delays, and provide directions to destinations such as the lab, radiology, and cafeteria.
Identify children and families with special needs, including stretcher use, oxygen use, or isolation requirements.
Contribute to a positive work environment and consult appropriate personnel about unfamiliar or unanticipated problems.
Greet patients and families, adapt communication to their education levels and needs, address anxiety, and monitor and report concerns or complaints to the Clinic Manager.
Maintain a courteous, calm, comforting, and professional demeanor with patients, guardians, multidisciplinary team members, and clinic personnel.
Perform, evaluate, and report laboratory quality-control protocols; identify and resolve QC failures, document resolutions, and report problems.
Participate in continuing education and complete competency and proficiency challenges on time.
Process specimens through centrifugation, allocation, sorting, and storage; coordinate specimen pickup and delivery to Children’s Hospital, Quest, or other reference labs; troubleshoot specimen-processing procedures.
Investigate and handle improperly labeled specimens, requisition problems, and inadequate specimens.
Answer general information and specimen-requirement questions and route technical questions to the appropriate area.
Monitor and maintain required daily laboratory equipment records, maintain simple laboratory equipment, report unresolved problems, and order routine lab and point-of-care testing inventory and supplies.
Collect blood specimens by venipuncture and capillary methods and conduct assigned routine tests such as urine dipstick, glucose, and A1C.
Follow directions precisely and maintain confidentiality.
Attend in-services, participate in personal educational development, develop annual goals and an education program with the Supervisor, and complete CHEX requirements.
Maintain satisfactory time and attendance and complete Occupational Health requirements.
Maintain Basic Life Support certification and any certification or licensure required by the applicable practice jurisdiction.