Patient Care Partner

Lehigh Valley Health Network • Bethlehem, PA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Partner, described in the summary as a Patient Care Technician (PCT), provides designated direct and indirect patient care activities under the direction and supervision of licensed clinical team members. The role supports patient- and family-centered care while addressing patients’ physiological, emotional, and social needs. The position may also collaborate with clinical departments and designated staff at a patient’s site to facilitate telehealth encounters between patients and providers.

The role helps maintain a safe patient care environment, supports the interprofessional team and patients’ families, conducts assigned rounds, responds promptly to call lights or pages, and helps ensure supplies and equipment are available. Depending on campus needs, the employee may serve as a virtual safety associate. The employee may also facilitate a clinical examination under a distant provider’s direction, using required peripheral devices, video-conferencing equipment, and software to support a comprehensive virtual care encounter.

This is an onsite, full-time day-shift position at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Muhlenberg. The schedule is three 12-hour shifts per week, 7:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m., with weekend and holiday rotation.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Knowledge of medical terminology, patient care needs, and the role in an interprofessional team.
• Ability to complete delegated tasks within the scope of the role.
• Knowledge of personal care and hygiene and ability to apply that knowledge to patients who need assistance.
• Knowledge of risks faced by patients in a healthcare environment and ability to take steps to reduce those risks.
• Ability to convey respect and collaborate with each patient, family, and/or designated care partner.
• Knowledge of people with diverse backgrounds and ability to convey respect and connect effectively.
• Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools, and techniques, with the ability to transmit, receive, and accurately interpret information and needs using appropriate communication behaviors.
• Ability to use partnership-oriented language with patients and families and engage them in their health and health care.
• AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) certification upon hire.
• Ability to lift and carry 40–50 pounds, including pushing or pulling patients on beds or stretchers and assisting with lateral transfers.
• Ability to stand and walk frequently to continuously; patient transporters may walk 8–10 miles per shift.
• May be required to kneel, bend, squat, and perform CPR, depending on role-specific activities.

Responsibilities

• Communicate with and support the interprofessional team, patient, family, and designated care partners.
• Perform validated and designated direct and indirect patient care activities under the direction of licensed clinical team members.
• Actively promote and maintain a safe patient care environment.
• Help maintain supplies and equipment to support efficient unit operations.
• Conduct patient rounds as assigned, anticipate patient needs, and respond promptly to patient call lights or pages.
• Serve as a virtual safety associate when assigned based on campus needs.
• When required, facilitate a clinical examination under the direction of a distant provider, using required peripheral devices, technology, and software to support a comprehensive virtual care encounter.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED