Patient Care Tech - Emergency Department

The University of Kansas Health System•Liberty, MO

About The Position

Under the direct supervision of a nurse, the Patient Care Tech is cross-trained in the roles of Unit Secretary and Unit Assistant/Nurse Tech. Depending on department needs, the position combines direct patient care and technical assistance to nurses with computer, clerical, scheduling, and supply functions needed to operate the unit. The role requires effective and tactful communication, self-motivation, sound decision-making with limited supervision, and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations. The Patient Care Tech practices in accordance with organizational and departmental policies and procedures. The role includes clinical and non-clinical duties supporting admissions, transfers, and discharges; maintaining a safe and clean environment; and providing and documenting routine patient care. The Tech makes patient rounds, responds promptly to call lights, reports changes in patient condition, communicates relevant information to nurses and shift coordinators, and contributes to the plan of care under a nurse’s direction. Duties may vary by unit or department, and other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

High school graduate or GED, or currently enrolled in a high school or GED program.
In addition to the education requirement, meet at least one of the following: hold a CNA license or have completed an unlicensed personnel training program; have documentation of fundamentals of nursing courses; have documented education as an emergency medical technician, medical assistant, or surgical technician; or have at least 18 months in a relevant patient-care role.
Obtain Basic Cardiac Life Support (BLS or BCLS) certification through the American Heart Association within 14 days.
Excellent communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with tact and sensitivity.
Self-motivated and able to work and make decisions with limited supervision while keeping others appropriately informed.
Strong knowledge of emergency procedures and ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
Able to prioritize tasks and make appropriate decisions regarding patient care.

Responsibilities

Prepare for admissions, transfers, and discharges, including securing IV pumps, zeroing beds, and updating whiteboards.
Maintain a safe and clean environment by cleaning equipment, using infection-control techniques, reporting damaged or malfunctioning equipment, changing sharps containers, keeping hallways clear, and wiping down the desk or nurses’ station.
Upon discharge, clean the whiteboard, strip the bed, remove equipment and supplies, and store them properly.
Complete and document daily care duties, including hygiene, vital signs, nutritional assistance, height and weight, ambulation, fingerstick blood sugar, and intake and output measurements.
Collect and label specimens accurately and transport them to the laboratory as indicated.
Make rounds on patients and promptly answer call lights using excellent customer service techniques.
Promptly report unusual incidents and observed changes in a patient’s condition or behavior to the appropriate staff member while maintaining confidentiality.
Introduce self to patients and families upon arrival in the room.
Communicate timely and appropriate information to the nurse or shift coordinator, including physician phone calls, stat orders, critical results, and patient needs.
Use technology appropriately to enter or retrieve data, and accurately enter orders and charges into the computer system as appropriate.
Manage and prioritize own tasks and, as needed, the time of others; make appropriate patient-care decisions.
Contribute to the plan of care under the nurse’s direction by following patient safety goals for fall risk and skin monitoring.
Reinforce selected patient teaching initiated by the nurse.
Perform the professional, clinical, and technical competencies of the assigned unit or department.