Patient Care Tech - PCT - Preop - Full Time - 5:30 am - 4:00 pm

Northeast Georgia Medical Center•Braselton, GA

About The Position

The Patient Care Tech is a non-licensed staff member trained to perform a flexible range of nursing support, transport, and direct patient-care duties within the defined scope of practice. Duties include supporting nursing units, cleaning and stocking patient rooms and unit areas, and caring for adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients. The role works under the direct supervision of the shift primary nurse and follows population-specific guidelines and National Patient Safety Goals. The position includes gathering and reporting basic patient data, assisting with mobility, hygiene, activities of daily living, and comfort needs, monitoring intake and output, responding to patient needs, documenting care, and supporting patient safety. It also includes unit upkeep, patient transport, telephone communication, and preparation of rooms for new admissions. Staff are expected to adapt to changing assignments and scheduling needs and complete required competency assessments.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or a high school transcript showing completion of at least the sophomore year.
No previous experience is required.
Good interpersonal skills.
Physical ability to push and pull patients.
Ability to adapt to changing situations and work assignments.
Ability to accept direction from professional nursing staff and perform basic technical skills and procedures.

Nice To Haves

Basic bilingual language skills are preferred.
CCHT certification is required for the dialysis unit only.
Candidates who have not completed the Foundations of Nursing course (RN students only), have less than six months of PCT experience within the past two years, or do not hold an active CNA certification will be enrolled in NGHS’s in-house PCT Academy.

Responsibilities

Obtain and report basic patient physiological data, including vital signs, weight, skin condition, and urine and stool characteristics.
Assist patients with positioning, mobility, hygiene, activities of daily living, and comfort needs using proper body mechanics and following procedures and direction.
Monitor oral intake and urine output and record amounts on appropriate forms.
Promptly identify and report changes in patients’ physical or mental status to assigned licensed staff.
Organize patient care and prioritize tasks while implementing physician and nursing orders within prescribed time frames.
Perform therapeutic procedures within the role’s scope and report patient responses to the supervising nurse.
Make frequent patient-room rounds, respond to call lights, and take appropriate action.
Orient patients and families to the unit and room; greet them courteously and explain care or procedures before beginning.
Record patient data accurately and promptly and forward it to supervisory staff within established time frames.
Become proficient with required IT systems to support clinical staff and accurate documentation.
Answer and screen telephone calls courteously, refer calls appropriately, relay requests accurately, and direct patient-care orders to licensed staff.
Place reports such as x-ray reports in the patient chart or ensure they are sent to the appropriate unit.
Follow Universal Precautions and hand hygiene policies, maintain a safe patient environment, and stock isolation supplies.
Clean and document cleaning of equipment, maintain properly functioning equipment, and report equipment issues promptly to the charge nurse.
Distribute linen and ice, offer refreshments as permitted by patients’ diets, and replace telemetry batteries as needed.
Perform patient transport as needed by the unit.
Clean and restock unit areas; change sharps containers when two-thirds full; replace glove boxes and disinfectant wipes; and prepare rooms for incoming patients.
Attend staff meetings with no more than two absences per year and read and respond to emails in a timely manner.
Adapt scheduling to department staffing needs and complete unit-specific and annual competency assessments within required timelines.