Patient Care Tech - Cardiothoracic Surgery Progressive Care - Nights

VCU Health•Richmond, VA

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician provides direct, age-specific care to patients based on medical orders and the plan of care, under the direction of an RN or licensed independent practitioner. The role supports patients with and without medical or surgical complications by addressing comfort, personal hygiene, safety, and other care needs in accordance with nursing and medical plans of care and VCUHS policies and procedures. The technician collects and documents patient information throughout the care cycle, including admission data, vital signs, height and weight, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, intake and output, calorie counts, and other information required by policy. The role may also include obtaining or assisting with specimen collection for diagnostic or waived tests. The technician helps maintain a safe, clean, stocked clinical environment and supports quality patient care by maintaining supplies, educational materials, equipment, and, as applicable, sterilization of supplies and instruments. The position requires providing equitable, age-appropriate care across the lifespan, from neonates through geriatric patients. The technician contributes to patient safety and experience through accurate patient identification, adherence to safety goals and infection-control practices, and timely reporting of patient responses or potential harm to the appropriate licensed practitioner, manager, or RN. The role also involves completing required training, maintaining effective rapport with patients, visitors, coworkers, and the healthcare team, and performing other duties as assigned.

Requirements

High school degree or equivalent.
Certification or completion of one of the following: Certified Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant, Emergency Medical Technician, Military Corpsmen/Medic, or Nursing Aide Training Program.
Experience within a healthcare environment, or completion of a foundations/clinical nursing course and one clinical rotation.
AHA BLS HCP Certification or equivalent.
Knowledge of patient data collection and documentation, including vital signs, intake/output, and changes in patient condition.
Knowledge of basic hygiene and activities-of-daily-living care.
Ability to assist with feeding, hydration, nutrition, ambulation, and patient mobility.
Ability to provide safe, compassionate care and take accountability for completing assigned tasks.
Ability to wear personal protective equipment as needed.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through continuous development, inclusive behavior, and proactive management of bias.
Ability to provide equitable care appropriate to patients’ ages and developmental needs across the lifespan.
Ability to exercise universal precautions and follow infection-control policies.

Nice To Haves

Certified Nursing Assistant education.
Acute care experience as a nursing assistant or aide.

Responsibilities

Provide safe, direct, age-appropriate patient care in the assigned unit under the direction of an RN or licensed independent practitioner.
Monitor patient conditions and update the healthcare team.
Provide direct and indirect care to meet patients’ comfort, personal hygiene, and safety needs, including patients with medical or surgical complications.
Deliver care in accordance with nursing and medical plans of care and VCUHS policies and procedures.
Maintain a safe, clean, and stocked clinical location; maintain supplies, educational materials, equipment, and, as applicable, sterilize supplies and instruments.
Contribute to the patient experience by accurately identifying patients and observing safety goals.
Report patient physical or mental responses to the plan of care, and incidents posing harm or threat, to a licensed independent practitioner, manager, and/or RN.
Obtain and record initial and ongoing patient information, including admissions data, vital signs, height and weight, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, intake and output, calorie counts, and other information specified by VCUHS policy.
Obtain or assist with collecting specimens for diagnostic or waived tests.
Attend mandatory in-services and trainings and meet online training requirements.
Promote patient safety through job performance and participation in hospital, department, or unit safety initiatives.
Maintain courteous and effective rapport with patients, visitors, coworkers, and other healthcare team members; respond promptly to verbal and written instructions.
Perform other duties as assigned.