HCT - Cardiac Unit CMH

Carle Health•Peoria, IL

About The Position

The Health Care Technician (HCT) facilitates the activities of a nursing unit by performing receptionist, transcriptionist, and clerical processes and/or assisting Registered Nurses with assigned patient-care and unit-maintenance activities. The position manages information and connects physicians, team members, and visitors with appropriate resources. Under nurse delegation and applicable policies and procedures, the HCT assists with patients’ hygiene, nutrition, elimination, skin care, comfort, activity, and measurements. The HCT may perform additional skills after training and certification, depending on the unit. The role also supports admissions, transfers, and discharges; obtains lab specimens and performs bedside testing and associated quality control; maintains a safe, orderly, and supplied patient environment; completes clerical and technology-related unit tasks; and communicates courteously with patients, families, visitors, physicians, and team members. The HCT is expected to organize and prioritize work, complete assigned tasks within the shift, conserve supplies, follow safety and infection-control practices, respond to patient needs and urgent requests, and support quality improvement and patient satisfaction. The role includes participating in educational offerings, unit councils, staff meetings, and peer evaluation.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association (AHA) within 30 days.
At least one of the following listed qualifications or experiences: relevant medical military training; completion of CNA coursework within the past 24 months; Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA); at least one semester of nursing clinical experience; work as a CNA within the past 24 months; or successful completion of Carle's HCT In Training Program.

Responsibilities

Perform patient-care activities delegated by a nurse, following applicable policies and procedures.
Provide assigned patients with hygiene, nutrition, elimination, skin care, comfort, and activity assistance.
Measure and record patient information, including intake and output, vital signs, weights, and other assigned measurements.
Perform additional trained and certified skills as directed and supervised by a nurse, which may vary by unit.
Assist with patient admissions, transfers, and discharges, including room setup, orientation, belongings, and assigned admission-process tasks.
Obtain adequate laboratory specimens and perform bedside laboratory testing and associated quality control in accordance with orders and hospital procedures.
Make rounds at least every two hours to check patient comfort, positioning, call-light access, room orderliness, and satisfaction; respond promptly to call lights.
Report pertinent patient information to the assigned nurse in a timely manner and complete documentation before leaving the shift.
Organize and prioritize assigned work, complete work within the shift, assist colleagues, and respond to delegated requests from nursing staff.
Conserve supplies and linen, return unused equipment and supplies as directed, and avoid waste.
Maintain a neat, safe patient environment and complete assigned unit-maintenance tasks, including cleaning, stocking, chart preparation, and distribution of supplies and items.
Perform errands and respond promptly to urgent requests, including requests related to rapidly changing situations and staffing needs.
Use patient-safety measures and protective equipment appropriately; follow handwashing practices and safe body mechanics, seek assistance when needed, and report unsafe equipment or situations.
Order unit supplies as delegated and maintain organized patient charts and unit information.
Print and file reports, manage census and assignment information, prepare charts and admission packets, and complete other assigned clerical tasks.
Use unit technology, including bed-management systems, staff phones, call-light systems, printers, fax machines, intranet, and email; follow computer-downtime procedures.
Greet and assist visitors, physicians, patients, and team members; answer and route telephone calls and information professionally and accurately.
Establish respectful working relationships and communicate openly, honestly, and courteously with patients, families, and team members.
Attend educational offerings, participate in unit and housewide meetings or committees, and give and receive peer evaluations constructively.
Support quality assurance and improvement efforts, patient privacy, infection control, patient identification, and fall prevention.
Explain procedures to patients and families when within the nursing assistant scope of practice.
Support staffing needs across shifts and assist with department goals and positive patient perceptions.