Patient Care Tech I / II, Inpatient, Memorial Campus West 3, Per Diem

UMass Memorial Health•Worcester, MA

26d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician works under the direction of an appropriate licensed clinician to provide patient care and support the healthcare team. The role includes Patient Care Technician I and II responsibilities; a Technician II must meet the Nursing Professional Practice competencies for that level. The technician serves patients, nurses, physicians, and colleagues in an inpatient patient-care setting, providing care that supports patients’ personal needs, comfort, and safety. The position is per diem, with a mixed shift schedule and scheduled weekend and holiday coverage.

Requirements

High school education or GED.
For Patient Care Technician I: obtain Basic Life Support certification within 30 days of employment.
For Patient Care Technician II: current Basic Life Support certification.
For Patient Care Technician II: demonstrated Patient Care Technician I competency attainment, at least 800 hours worked, and at least six months as a PCA I.
For Patient Care Technician II: prior inpatient or outpatient care experience or clinical care training.
Ability to read, write, and communicate in English clearly and concisely.
Basic computer skills for Technician I; computer skills for Technician II.
Basic medical terminology knowledge for Technician I; medical terminology for Technician II.
Ability to remain calm under stress or in emergencies.
For Patient Care Technician II: strong interpersonal skills to gather information, build collaborative relationships, and provide exceptional patient service.
For Patient Care Technician II: demonstrated problem-solving abilities for routine situations.
Ability to work indoors in a patient-care environment and use hand dexterity, hearing, and vision to take direction, adjust equipment, and observe and describe patient conditions.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds; work involves standing and walking most of the time, frequent bending, and potentially pushing heavy equipment.

Responsibilities

Communicate timely observations and changes in patients’ conditions to the RN, including changes in skin condition, vital signs, and mental status.
Provide constant observation of high-risk patients as assigned by the Resource Nurse or designee.
Help maintain a safe environment, use de-escalation interventions, and participate in restraints as directed and in accordance with training and policy.
Assist patients with activities of daily living, including hygiene, ambulation, meals, and nourishment.
Move, lift, position, and transport patients using proper safety techniques and body mechanics.
Perform patient safety checks, use directed fall-prevention strategies, and follow restraint standards when caring for restrained patients.
Take and record vital signs, and 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.
Complete unit-specific tasks such as changing telemetry batteries, checking equipment, cleaning equipment between patients, and storing supplies properly.
Assist an RN or Licensed Independent Practitioner with treatments and procedures by preparing and positioning patients, obtaining and setting up equipment and supplies, using sterile technique when indicated, providing emotional support, and cleaning up afterward.
Observe, measure, and record oral food and fluid intake; set up or refill tube-feeding bags as directed; empty and record approved output; and perform directed ostomy care for established ostomate patients.
Respond sensitively to patients’ needs, provide 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 additional direction is needed.
Keep current with hospital and unit changes by reviewing communications and responding to UMMHC emails.
Precept new Patient Care Technicians when qualified to do so.
Comply with departmental policies and objectives, attend required meetings or educational events, use quality-improvement practices, and comply with health and safety requirements.
Promote a respectful, professional, tolerant, civil, and accepting environment; maintain regular, reliable, and predictable attendance; and perform other related duties as directed.