Patient Care Tech - PCT - Preop - Full Time - Days

Northeast Georgia Health System•Braselton, GA

About The Position

Northeast Georgia Health System is hiring a Patient Care Tech for the preoperative area. This non-licensed staff member is trained to perform a range of nursing support and patient transport duties. Work includes clinical tasks, cleaning and stocking patient rooms and unit areas, and direct patient care within the defined scope of practice. The role works under the direct supervision of the shift primary nurse and cares for adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients. Clinical duties must follow population-specific guidelines and National Patient Safety Goals. Candidates need a high school diploma, GED, or a high school transcript showing completion of at least the sophomore level. No previous experience is required. 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. CCHT certification is required only for dialysis-unit positions. The role requires good interpersonal skills, physical ability to push and pull patients, adaptability to changing situations and assignments, and the ability to accept direction from professional nursing staff and perform basic technical skills and procedures. Basic bilingual language skills are preferred. The position is full-time and scheduled for 10-hour morning-to-afternoon shifts.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or high school transcript showing completion of at least the sophomore level.
No previous experience is required.
Candidates who have not successfully 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 current and active CNA certification will be enrolled in the PCT Academy.
CCHT certification is required for dialysis-unit positions only.
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.
Ability to meet the physical demands, including frequently lifting up to 50 pounds, carrying up to 20 pounds, kneeling, stooping, bending, standing, walking, and pushing or pulling.
Ability to perform job-related reading, writing, reasoning, talking, and keyboarding.

Nice To Haves

Basic bilingual language skills.

Responsibilities

Obtain and report basic patient physiological data, including vital signs, weight, skin condition, and urine and stool characteristics.
Use proper body mechanics and assist with positioning, mobility, hygiene, activities of daily living, and comfort needs according to 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 licensed staff.
Organize patient care, set priorities, and implement physician and nursing orders within prescribed time frames.
Perform therapeutic procedures within the job description and report patient responses to the supervising nurse.
Make frequent patient-room rounds and respond to call lights, taking appropriate action.
Orient patients and their families or significant others to the unit and room, and greet them pleasantly.
Explain procedures or care to patients before beginning.
Accurately and promptly record patient data and forward it to supervisory staff within established time frames.
Become proficient with required IT systems to support clinical staff and document patient care accurately.
Answer and screen telephone calls courteously, refer calls appropriately, direct patient-care orders to licensed staff, and accurately relay requests to the appropriate individuals.
Place reports, such as x-ray reports, in the patient chart or ensure they are sent to the appropriate unit.
Support patient safety by using universal precautions and personal protective equipment, following hand-hygiene policy, maintaining a safe patient environment, restocking isolation supplies, cleaning equipment, and promptly reporting equipment issues to the charge nurse.
Distribute linen and ice and offer refreshments as permitted by patients’ diets.
Replace telemetry batteries as needed.
Perform patient transport as needed by the unit.
Clean and restock unit areas.
Replace sharps containers in patient rooms when two-thirds full, and replace glove boxes and disinfectant wipes.
Prepare rooms for new admissions, including stocking PPE, turning down beds, and making necessary supplies or equipment available.
Participate in staff meetings, with no more than two absences per year.
Read and respond to emails in a timely manner.
Maintain scheduling flexibility to meet department staffing needs.
Complete unit-specific and annual competency assessments within required timelines.