Patient Care Tech - Acute Care Surgery - Rotating - PRN

VCU Health•Richmond, VA

22h•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician provides direct, age-specific care to a patient or group of patients based on medical orders and the plan of care, under the direction of an RN or licensed independent practitioner. The role is based in Acute Care Surgical Services, a 28-bed inpatient unit providing care for patients in surgical oncology, plastic surgery, microsurgery, bariatric surgery, colorectal surgery, and urology. The unit includes general and progressive level-of-care beds and cares for a broad spectrum of surgical conditions, including critically ill and injured patients. The technician supports patient comfort, hygiene, safety, and care-plan needs; collects and records patient information; assists with specimen collection; and helps maintain a safe, clean, and stocked clinical environment. The role also involves communicating patient responses and safety concerns to the health care team, completing required training, and providing equitable care appropriate to each patient's age and needs. The position requires shift work and may involve high stress, fluctuating workloads, frequent interruptions, and exposure to bodily fluids and other listed workplace hazards.

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, and nutrition.
Ability to assist with ambulation and patient mobility.
Ability to provide safe, compassionate care and be accountable for completing assigned tasks.
Ability to wear personal protective equipment as needed.
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through continuous development, inclusive behaviors, and proactive management of bias.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide safe, direct, age-appropriate care to patients in the assigned unit.
Monitor patients’ conditions and provide updates to the health care team.
Provide direct and indirect care to meet patient comfort, personal hygiene, and safety needs, including for patients with medical or surgical complications.
Deliver care in accordance with nursing and medical plans of care and VCUHS policies and procedures.
Maintain the clinical location as a safe, clean, and stocked environment.
Maintain supplies, educational materials, equipment, and sterilization of supplies, instruments, and the environment as applicable.
Accurately identify patients, observe safety goals, and report patient responses or incidents that pose harm or threat to a licensed independent practitioner, manager, or Registered Nurse.
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 required 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.
Establish and maintain courteous, effective rapport with patients, visitors, coworkers, and other members of the health care team; respond promptly to instructions and demonstrate sensitivity to others’ needs.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Provide equitable care appropriate to the ages and developmental needs of patients served, including neonates, infants, children, adolescents, adults, and geriatrics.