Nursing Assistant/Patient Care Technician - Staffing Support Team - Casual

Independence Health System Careers•Latrobe, PA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Nursing Assistant/Patient Care Technician provides direct and indirect patient care in accordance with hospital policies, procedures, protocols, and standards of care. The position assists patients with activities of daily living, responds to patient and family requests, collects and reports patient-care information, and supports safe, continuous care in collaboration with nurses and other healthcare providers. Depending on direction and patient needs, the role may perform or assist with a range of clinical skills, including vital signs, blood glucose testing, EKGs, bladder scanning, specimen handling, urinary catheter care, simple dressing changes, and other listed patient-care tasks. The position also supports patient education, quality-improvement activities, regulatory and infection-control compliance, supply readiness, and a clean, safe care environment. The incumbent may serve as a resource, preceptor, or mentor for new hires and students, but has no direct supervisory responsibilities. Scheduling is based on operational need and may involve rotating shifts, standby, or on-call work. Local travel between Independence Health locations may be expected.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or higher level of education.
Sound judgment and problem-solving skills.
Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
Ability to follow directions from other team members and work independently on assigned duties.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) through an American Heart Association-approved CPR and AED curriculum, or obtain it within five days of hire during orientation.
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-student status with at least one semester of clinical experience, or prior experience in a related field.
Computer skills.
Phlebotomy experience.
EKG experience.

Responsibilities

Deliver direct and indirect patient care according to hospital policies, procedures, protocols, and standards of care.
Perform or assist with patient-care needs as directed, including activities of daily living; respond promptly to call lights and patient or family requests.
Collect, document, and report patient-care data, including intake and output and daily weights when indicated.
Obtain patient-care equipment, transport patients, and perform assigned patient-care skills such as vital signs, blood glucose testing, EKGs, bladder scanning, ostomy care, simple dressing changes, and catheter care.
Make regular purposeful hourly rounds to address patient needs and the care environment.
Support patient education and self-care, obtain learning resources as needed, and report patients’ readiness to learn to the RN/LPN.
Collaborate with healthcare providers and communicate pertinent actual or potential problems, including at shift reports and during transfers.
Participate in unit performance-improvement activities, assist with data collection, and recommend performance-improvement modifications.
Use critical thinking and problem-solving skills, seek assistance when appropriate, maintain accountability, act as a patient advocate, and serve as a resource person.
Perform effectively as a preceptor or mentor to new hires and/or students.
Assist with cost management and compliance with state, Joint Commission, OSHA, and other regulatory requirements; help maintain survey readiness.
Follow infection-control practices, including standard precautions, and assist with maintaining adequate supplies and monitoring sterile-supply expiration dates.
Promote patient safety, use two forms of patient identification before care, support appropriate limited restraint use and documentation, and assume an assigned code-team role during emergencies or mock codes.
Maintain a safe and clean environment for patients, visitors, and staff.
Collect, identify, label, and deliver specimens and diagnostic studies to the appropriate department.
Perform other duties as assigned.