Patient Care Technician - ED Observation Unit (Harrisburg Hospital)

UPMC•Harrisburg, PA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) in the ED Observation Unit provides direct patient care, assisting with procedures and daily living activities. They support physical, respiratory, and cardiopulmonary therapies, and report patient status changes to the Registered Nurse (RN). The PCT performs core nursing assistant responsibilities, including blood glucose monitoring, vital signs, intake and output tracking, specimen collection, and Foley care. Additionally, they are expected to perform at least four specific tasks such as phlebotomy, 12-lead EKGs, simple dressing changes, Foley catheter removal, point-of-care testing, bladder scans, straight catheterization, or IV catheter removal. The role also involves ensuring equipment is functional, communicating effectively with other departments, maintaining professional relationships, and contributing to unit activities like responding to call lights, passing meals, and transporting patients. PCTs are expected to receive feedback constructively, identify learning needs, and actively seek to improve their skills and performance. They may also provide patient and family education under RN direction and apply, monitor, and remove patient restraints according to protocol. Strong communication, cultural awareness, and a commitment to workplace safety are essential. The PCT must adhere strictly to all policies, procedures, and safety precautions, including standard precautions. They are encouraged to suggest and support departmental changes and quality initiatives, documenting accurately in the medical record and completing clerical tasks as needed. Core competencies include ADLs, point-of-care testing, telemetry monitoring, and patient safety indicators. Advanced skills such as phlebotomy, peripheral IV removal, indwelling Foley catheter removal, basic arrhythmia interpretation, 12-lead EKGs, and NG tube management may also be required based on departmental needs.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Must also have either a) 1 Year of general healthcare experience, OR b) 6 months of experience as UPMC Nursing Assistant/CNA with PCT competency achieved within 120 days of hire/transfer/promotion for those with less than 1 year of experience, OR c) enrollment in PT/OT/PA program or related healthcare training program with completion of at least one clinical rotation, OR d) completion of a bachelor’s degree in a health sciences field.
Successful completion of UPMC patient care technician class
Successful completion of eRecord training.
CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire
Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Act 34

Nice To Haves

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic or currently enrolled in an EMT or Paramedic program preferred.
ACLS preferred

Responsibilities

Provides patient care including assisting with patient procedures and activities of daily living.
Assists with physical, respiratory and cardiopulmonary therapies.
Provides feedback to the RN regarding patient care and reports changes in patient status.
Performs UPMC nursing core nursing assistant responsibilities (blood glucose, weights, vital signs, I&O, specimen collections and Foley care).
Performs at least four of the following BU identified tasks: phlebotomy, 12 lead EKG, simple dressing, Foley catheter removal, point of care testing, bladder scan, straight catheter, or IV catheter removal.
Assures equipment malfunctions are reported to the appropriate department.
Establishes appropriate and effective communication with other departments.
Establishes professional and respectful interpersonal relationships.
Contributes to the universal unit activities including, but not limited to, responding to call lights and telephones, passing meal trays and transporting patients.
Constructively receives feedback and direction.
Identifies and communicates learning needs to the unit director.
Takes action to improve knowledge, skills and performance.
Requests assistance in planning and prioritizing activities as needed.
Participates in self-review as requested by the unit director.
Provides instruction to patients and their families under the direction of the RN.
May apply, monitor and remove patient restraints as per physician or hospital protocol.
Demonstrates the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with all members of the health care team.
Demonstrate understanding of cultural diversity, horizontal violence and impairment in the health professions.
Cares for patients and self by supporting safety in the workplace.
Develops and maintains productive working relationships internally and externally by demonstrating accountability for actions, enthusiasm, motivation and commitment to patients and colleagues.
Strictly adheres to all policies and procedures relative to patient care and hospital related information.
Complies with safety policies and procedures including standard precautions.
Suggests and supports changes within the department.
Assumes responsibility for assignment and views problems as challenges.
Demonstrates awareness of behavior on the efficient functioning of the department.
Supports department based projects and quality initiatives.
Documents in the medical record according to established procedures.
Performs assigned work in a timely and productive manner.
Completes department clerical functions as needed.
Routinely performs and is fully competent with the UPMC nursing core assistant responsibilities including ADLs (bathing, feeding, transporting, toileting, ambulating, turning and repositioning patients.) PLUS point of care testing (inc. blood glucose), weights, vital signs, I&O, telemetry monitor application/reapplication, hospital-acquired condition & patient safety indicator.
Routinely performs simple dressings, placement and removal of restraints, bladder scan, all specimen collections and ticket to ride (intra-hospital patient transportation).
Identifies and communicates learning needs to the unit director or direct leader.
Requests assistance in planning and prioritizing activities as needed.
Achieves and maintains competency and/or performs at least 1 or more of the following advanced skills based on department operational need: phlebotomy/venipuncture, peripheral IV removal, indwelling Foley catheter removal, basic arrythmia, 12-lead EKG, and NG tubes clamping and removal.