NURSING ASSISTANT/PATIENT CARE TECHNICIAN - ICU

Independence Health System•Latrobe, PA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician provides direct and indirect patient care under the direction of an RN or LPN. The role supports patients’ daily care needs, collects and reports patient data, helps maintain a safe care environment, and collaborates with the health care team to promote quality outcomes. The technician may perform a range of patient-care skills as directed, including vital signs, glucose testing, ostomy and catheter care, EKGs, specimen handling, and use of patient-care equipment. The position has no direct supervisory responsibilities but serves as a coach and mentor to others in the department. Employees are scheduled according to operational needs, which may include rotating shifts, standby, or on-call work. Local travel between Independence Health locations may be expected. Protective equipment is required according to applicable CDC guidelines during a pandemic. For lifts exceeding 50 pounds, two-person assistance and/or a transfer device is required.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or higher level of education.
Sound judgment and problem-solving skills.
Strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to follow directions from other team members while working independently on assigned duties.
Ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from an American Heart Association-approved curriculum, including CPR and AED, or ability to obtain it within five days of hire.
Act 33 clearance with renewal.
Act 34 clearance with renewal.
Act 73 FBI clearance with renewal.

Nice To Haves

Completion of a Nurse Aide or comparable program, such as EMT or Medical Assistant training; nursing students with at least one semester of clinical experience or candidates with prior experience in a related field are also preferred.
Computer skills.
Phlebotomy experience.
EKG experience.

Responsibilities

Deliver direct and indirect patient care in accordance with hospital policies, procedures, protocols, and standards of care.
Perform or assist with patient-care needs as directed and help patients with activities of daily living.
Respond promptly to patient and family call lights, inquiries, and requests; make purposeful hourly rounds to address patient needs and the physical environment.
Collect, document, and report ongoing patient-care data; measure and document intake and output, including drainage, and obtain daily weights when indicated.
Obtain patient-care equipment and resources as directed, and transport patients as directed.
Perform applicable patient-care skills, which may include vital signs, heating pads, suction setup, use of E cylinders, antiembolic hose, aseptic techniques, Sequential Compression Devices, blood glucose testing, ostomy care, simple dressing changes, telemetry leads, bladder scanning, preventative skin care, pulse oximetry, urinary catheter care, EKGs, oral pharyngeal suctioning, and CPM machine placement.
Maintain linens, supplies, warmers, specialty carts, and isolation boxes; monitor sterile supplies for expiration and replace as needed; declutter patient rooms and storage areas.
Deliver specimens to the appropriate department and transport blood and blood products from the blood bank as directed.
Assist with patient education, promote self-care and health, and report information about patients’ readiness to learn to the RN/LPN.
Maintain collaborative relationships with health care providers and communicate pertinent information about actual or potential problems, shift reports, and internal or external transfers.
Participate in unit performance-improvement activities and data collection, and recommend modifications to improve performance.
Demonstrate leadership, critical thinking, problem-solving, accountability, resourcefulness, and patient advocacy; seek assistance from the immediate supervisor when appropriate.
Serve effectively as a preceptor or mentor to new hires and students.
Assist in controlling organizational and departmental costs and maintaining sufficient supplies.
Assist with compliance with state, Joint Commission, OSHA, and other regulatory requirements, and maintain survey readiness.
Follow infection-control practices, including standard precautions, to reduce infection risks.
Promote patient safety, including using two forms of patient identification before care, supporting limited restraint use and documenting according to policy, and maintaining a safe and clean environment.
Assume the appropriate code-team role during code situations or mock codes and respond effectively to emergencies and disasters.
Perform other duties as assigned.