Patient Care Tech - Short Stay Observation Unit (0.4 Nights)

Mercy Cedar Rapids•Baltimore, MD

About The Position

The Patient Care Tech supports Mercy’s philosophy of patient-centered care by providing safe and effective patient care under the supervision of a Licensed Nurse. The technician performs tasks and support functions delegated by the department and may take on additional responsibilities as delegated. In the Short Stay Observation Unit, the technician obtains and sets up equipment and CPMs for patients, then removes them as directed by physician orders or delegation. The technician prepares rooms and pre-operative beds as trained and delegated, regularly stocks supplies in patient rooms and alcoves, and uses computer systems to find information needed for handoffs and documentation. This is a 0.4 position scheduled for 16 hours per week, primarily on weeknights from 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., with occasional weekends and every other holiday. The role has heavy physical demands, including exerting 50–100 pounds of force occasionally and 25–50 pounds frequently.

Requirements

Current Basic Cardiac Life Support certification in accordance with the American Heart Association is required.
Iowa Dependent Adult Abuse and Iowa Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter training is required; certification of completed training must be submitted to Human Resources before the start or transfer date.
Ability to provide safe and effective patient care.
Ability to remain focused in stressful situations and perform multiple tasks quickly.
Ability to prioritize tasks and identify when priorities need to change.
Ability to communicate effectively, including through nonverbal communication and across language or cultural barriers.

Nice To Haves

Previous Patient Care Tech or Certified Nursing Assistant experience is preferred.
High school diploma or equivalent is preferred.
Preferred preparation includes completion of a Certified Nurse Assistant or Health Support Professional program; a minimum of two years in a baccalaureate program; one year in an Associate’s Degree in Nursing program; or comparable education, training, and experience in the absence of successful completion of a CNA or Health Support Professional program.

Responsibilities

Communicate accurate, clinically relevant information to patients, families, and coworkers during handoffs and as needed.
Ensure involved parties communicate necessary information to support the best possible patient outcomes.
Provide safe and effective patient care under a licensed nurse’s supervision by performing delegated tasks and support functions.
Observe and report changes in patient condition and pertinent information about patient or significant-other needs to the licensed nurse.
Communicate effectively and in an age-appropriate manner, understanding nonverbal communication, fears, anxieties, and language or cultural barriers.
Document care accurately and in real time.
Protect patient privacy by knocking, closing curtains, and safeguarding patient information.
Respond within scope of practice to emergencies and life-threatening conditions.
Support changes in practice designed to improve performance and help identify quality-improvement opportunities.
Organize and prioritize daily work according to the needs of patients, families, and healthcare workers.
Maintain cleanliness and organization of patient rooms and department work areas.
Identify when work priorities need to change and recommend and implement changes in coordination with a supervisor.
Follow Mercy safety guidelines, perform job-specific safety duties, and promptly report unsafe conditions, situations, incidents, and injuries.
Obtain, correctly set up, and remove patient equipment and CPMs as ordered or delegated.
Prepare rooms and pre-operative beds as trained and delegated.
Regularly stock supplies in patient rooms and alcoves according to department standards.
Use computer systems competently to find needed information for handoffs and documentation.