Care Technician - Pre-Op/PACU - Full Time - Days

Nebraska Methodist Hospital•Omaha, NE

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Care Technician supports nurses and doctors in caring for patients and supports patient care delivery by providing clerical services at Methodist Women's Hospital in Elkhorn, Nebraska. The position works Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Care Technicians provide individualized, age-appropriate patient care; communicate patient needs and changes in condition to appropriate staff; collect and transport laboratory specimens; record patient information; and assist with vital signs, mobility, transfers, procedures, and activities of daily living as delegated by an RN. The role also performs reception, communication, and medical-record tasks, including greeting and directing visitors, answering telephones, screening visitors, maintaining charts, scanning documents, and supporting patient admissions, transfers, and dismissals. The Care Technician works under the direction of the staff nurse and performs delegated activities consistent with the job description and nursing policies. The position requires patient-centered communication, attention to privacy and safety, timely responses to patient and visitor needs, and maintenance of a clean, orderly, welcoming environment. Orientation is provided.

Requirements

Completion of a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program is preferred.
Participate in mandatory in-services and continuing education as required by policies, procedures, external agencies, and the supervisor.
Requires one to three months of on-the-job experience to learn hospital procedures and work routines.
Student nurses must have completed their first clinical rotation.
Current American Heart Association or American Red Cross Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is required within three months of hire.
Ability to understand and carry out instructions, follow schedules, communicate information, read simple and clear instructions, and complete reports.
Ability to collect, record, and report patient needs to the appropriate caregiver.
Ability to demonstrate critical-thinking skills commensurate with the job description.
Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills, including verbal and written communication with physicians, callers, visitors, patients, families, and team members.
Skills and knowledge to prepare reports, perform calculations, keep records, and deal effectively with people.
Ability to use a variety of computer applications.
Excellent grammar, punctuation, spelling, and presentation-layout skills.
Knowledge of office procedures and record-keeping principles, and ability to read medical records.
Ability to type accurately at 30 to 40 words per minute.
Ability to exert up to 50 pounds of force and perform the listed physical activities, including lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, standing, walking, reaching, grasping, and repetitive motions.

Nice To Haves

Previous cleaning, food service, and/or patient-related experience is preferred.
Medical terminology is preferred.
Current American Heart Association or American Red Cross Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is strongly preferred at the time of hire.

Responsibilities

Provide appropriate, individualized care based on the age and needs of each patient, supporting understanding and comfort with treatment.
Communicate effectively and courteously with patients, families, visitors, physicians, coworkers, and other members of the health care team; promptly report patient issues and changes in condition to the appropriate caregiver or RN.
Respond to patient needs and call lights promptly, consistently within five minutes, and obtain feedback from patients and visitors about their hospital experience.
Participate in the patient report process and use information systems to support communication and documentation.
Collect blood specimens by venipuncture or skin puncture and collect microbiological specimens; identify patients correctly, collect and label specimens appropriately, and transport them promptly to the laboratory using required procedures.
Perform computer operations and maintain accurate records related to patient information and phlebotomy duties while following safety regulations.
Help maintain a clean, neat, safe environment and ensure patient comfort; maintain equipment and distribute linen and supplies as needed.
Perform other appropriate delegated duties under the direction of the Service Leader and/or RN, including medication and blood pickup and participation in procedures according to nursing policies.
Assist with patient transfers, discharges, ambulation, and transport to other areas; weigh patients and take accurate vital signs, including blood pressure.
Apply ice bags and assist patients with activities as directed by the RN; assist squad patients with changing into gowns and initiating vital signs.
Perform electrocardiograms on adolescent through geriatric patients, ensure results meet quality standards and are interpreted in a timely manner, and maintain required EKG logs and files.
Assist patients with elimination as directed, provide bedpans or urinals and pericare when indicated, give cleansing or retention enemas, and observe, measure, and record output from sources such as NG tubes, ostomies, Foley catheters, drains, and bowel movements.
Perform delegated activities using the four rights of delegation: right task, right person, right communication, and right feedback.
Assist with special projects, orientation and training of new personnel, and performance improvement.
Promote a positive, welcoming environment by greeting and directing patients, families, visitors, physicians, staff, and other customers; screen visitors according to protocols and handle general communications.
Maintain a safe, clean, and neat reception area; promote a quiet environment at the reception desk and in hallways, keep food out of the reception area, and ensure drinks are covered.
Answer telephones promptly and courteously, identify self and unit, operate the call and/or phone system, distribute mail if applicable, fax/copy/scan information as requested, make announcements professionally, and promptly notify caregivers when patients arrive.
Maintain privacy and confidentiality of patient and staff information and assist with electronic medical records.
Establish initial patient charts upon admission, maintain chart documents according to protocol, process charts upon dismissal for timely access by Health Information Management, prepare records for transfers or referrals, and scan medical documents accurately and promptly.