Patient Care Tech II - Inpatient, Memorial Campus ICU, Per Diem

UMass Memorial Health•Worcester, MA

9d•$15 - $26•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of an appropriate licensed clinician and in keeping with unit-specific standards, the Patient Care Tech II provides patient care to meet patients’ personal needs and comfort and assists members of the healthcare team. The role requires meeting the full competencies outlined by Nursing Professional Practice. As an integral member of the patient care team, the technician serves internal and external customers, including patients, nurses, physicians, and other colleagues who support care and services. The position is in the Memorial Campus ICU. It is per diem, with a 12-hour mixed shift scheduled from 1845 to 0715. The posting identifies a schedule that includes Sundays through Saturdays, one major summer holiday, one major winter holiday, and one full weekend per month. The hiring range is $15.00–$25.82 based on a full-time schedule of 40 hours per week; compensation is prorated for reduced schedules and varies with scheduled hours, experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity. A signing bonus may be available, with eligibility confirmed during the interview process. The work is indoors in a patient care environment. It involves standing and walking most of the time, frequent bending, and the possibility of pushing heavy equipment. The role requires the ability to lift up to 50 pounds and hand dexterity, hearing, and vision sufficient to take direction, adjust equipment, and observe and describe patient conditions.

Requirements

High school education or GED.
Current Basic Life Support certification.
Demonstrated competency attainment at the Patient Care Technician I level, at least 800 hours and six months of work as a PCT I, or six months of prior inpatient or outpatient direct patient care experience.
Ability to read, write, and communicate in English clearly and concisely.
Medical terminology knowledge.
Computer skills.
Strong interpersonal skills to gather information, build collaborative working relationships within and across departments, and provide exceptional patient service.
Proven problem-solving abilities for routine situations.
Ability to remain calm under stress or in emergency situations.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and meet the physical demands of standing and walking most of the time, frequent bending, and potentially pushing heavy equipment.
Hand dexterity, hearing, and vision sufficient to take direction from patients or providers, adjust equipment, and observe and describe patient observations.

Responsibilities

Communicate observations and patient changes clearly and promptly to the RN, including changes in skin condition, vital signs, or mental status.
Provide constant observation of high-risk patients when assigned by the Resource Nurse or designee.
Help maintain a safe environment, use de-escalation interventions, and participate in restraints when needed and as directed in accordance with training and education.
Assist patients with activities of daily living, including personal hygiene, ambulation, meals, and nourishment.
Move, lift, position, and transport patients using proper safety techniques and body mechanics.
Maintain patient safety through safety checks, directed fall-prevention strategies, and compliance with restraint policy standards.
Take and record vital signs, including temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, and pulse oximetry; measure and record patient height and weight.
Perform EKGs, point-of-care tests, and bladder scans; collect, label, and prepare specimens for laboratory transport.
Perform phlebotomy in certain locations.
Perform selected unit-specific procedures, such as changing telemetry-unit batteries, checking equipment status, cleaning equipment between patients, and storing supplies properly.
Assist an RN or Licensed Independent Practitioner with treatments and procedures by preparing patients, obtaining and setting up equipment and supplies, using sterile technique when indicated, helping position patients, providing emotional support, and cleaning up afterward.
Observe, measure, and record oral food and fluid intake; set up full-strength tube-feeding solutions and refill feeding bags as directed.
Empty and record output from approved sources, such as Foley catheters, ostomy appliances, and drainage systems; perform ostomy care for established ostomate patients as directed.
Respond sensitively to patient needs, serve as a source of information, and build positive rapport and relationships.
Communicate respectfully and in a culturally and age-appropriate manner with patients, staff, families, visitors, and others.
Replenish patient and unit supplies and equipment.
Request assistance from identified resources when further direction is needed.
Stay current with hospital and unit changes by reviewing communication materials and regularly reading and responding to UMMHC emails.
Precept new Patient Care Technicians.
Comply with departmental policies, procedures, and objectives; attend required or directed meetings, conferences, and seminars; use quality improvement in daily work; and comply with health and safety requirements.
Promote respect, professionalism, tolerance, civility, and acceptance toward employees, patients, and visitors.
Maintain regular, reliable, and predictable attendance and perform other similar duties as required or directed.