Patient Care Technician I- Inpatient, 8 North, 24 Hour, Nights

UMass Memorial Health • Worcester, MA

13d • $19 - $27 • Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of an appropriate licensed clinician and in keeping with unit-specific standards, the Patient Care Technician I provides patient care to meet patients’ personal needs and comfort and assists members of the healthcare team. The technician is an integral member of the patient care team and serves patients, nurses, physicians, and other colleagues who support care delivery. The position includes workplace education and training and requires the technician to work indoors in a patient care environment. This is a 24-hour-per-week position on the 8 North inpatient unit, scheduled from 11:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m., every other weekend and every other holiday. The role is non-exempt and represented by SHARE (State Healthcare and Research Employees). The stated hiring range is $18.92–$26.96 per hour based on a 40-hour full-time schedule; pay for this reduced schedule is prorated, and the final offer may also reflect experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity. A signing bonus may be available, with eligibility confirmed during the interview process.

Requirements

• Minimum high school education or GED.
• Current Basic Life Support certification.
• Demonstrated competency attainment at the Patient Care Technician I level, at least 800 hours and six months of work as a PCT I, or six months of prior inpatient or outpatient direct patient care experience.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate in English clearly and concisely.
• Knowledge of medical terminology.
• Computer skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills to gather information, build collaborative working relationships, and provide exceptional patient service.
• Proven problem-solving ability in routine situations.
• Ability to remain calm under stress or in emergency situations.
• Ability to perform work indoors in a patient care environment; use hand dexterity, hearing, and vision to take direction, adjust equipment, and observe and describe patient conditions; lift up to 50 pounds; stand and walk most of the time; and potentially push heavy equipment and bend frequently.

Responsibilities

• Communicate observations and changes in patients’ conditions clearly and promptly to the RN, including changes in skin condition, vital signs, or mental status.
• Provide constant observation of high-risk patients as assigned by the Resource Nurse or designee.
• Help maintain a safe environment, use de-escalation interventions, and participate in restraints when directed and in accordance with training and education.
• Assist patients with activities of daily living, including personal hygiene, ambulation, meals, and nourishment.
• Move, lift, position, and transport patients using proper safety techniques and body mechanics.
• Perform patient safety checks, use directed fall-prevention strategies, and follow restraint policy standards when caring for restrained patients.
• Take and record vital signs, including temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, and pulse oximetry; measure and record patient height and weight.
• Perform EKGs, point-of-care tests, and bladder scans; collect, label, and prepare specimens for transport to the laboratory.
• Perform phlebotomy in certain locations.
• Perform unit-specific procedures, such as changing telemetry batteries, checking equipment status, cleaning equipment between patients, and storing supplies properly.
• Assist an RN or Licensed Independent Practitioner with treatments and procedures by preparing the patient, obtaining and setting up equipment and supplies, using sterile technique when indicated, positioning the patient, providing emotional support, and cleaning up afterward.
• Observe, measure, and record oral food and fluid intake; set up full-strength tube-feeding solutions and refill feeding bags as directed; empty and record approved outputs from sources such as Foley catheters, ostomy appliances, and drainage systems; and perform directed ostomy care for established ostomates.
• Respond sensitively to patient needs, provide information, and build positive rapport and relationships.
• Communicate respectfully and in a culturally and age-appropriate manner with patients, staff, families, visitors, and others.
• Replenish patient and unit supplies and equipment.
• Request assistance from identified resources when additional direction is needed.
• Keep current with hospital and unit changes by reviewing communication boards, books, bulletin boards, and posted notices, and by reading and responding to UMMHC emails regularly.
• Precept new Patient Care Technicians when able.
• Comply with departmental policies, procedures, and objectives; attend meetings, conferences, and seminars as required or directed; apply quality improvement in daily operations; and comply with health and safety regulations.
• Demonstrate respect for diverse views and contribute to a professional, tolerant, civil, and accepting environment for employees, patients, and visitors.
• Maintain regular, reliable, and predictable attendance and perform other similar or related duties as required or directed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED