Patient Care Technician I - Nursing Med Acute 11 East

University of Maryland Medical System•Baltimore, MD

About The Position

Under the direction of professional nursing staff, the Patient Care Technician I provides direct patient care and serves as a member of the interdisciplinary patient care services team. The role includes taking vital signs, checking surgical dressings, assisting patients with activities of daily living, drawing blood, collecting specimens, observing and collecting patient data, and communicating patient status and care needs. The position is in Nursing Med Acute 11 East.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Current Maryland state certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA).
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
Ability to communicate effectively using verbal and written skills.
Ability to maintain interpersonal relationships and use teamwork skills to provide care cohesively with other team members.
Ability to organize work priorities, perform several duties simultaneously, and function in stressful situations.
Ability to learn and use computer systems.
Ability to demonstrate proper techniques and skills for obtaining accurate blood glucose results and documenting findings.
Ability to perform delegated nursing tasks according to the age, culture, ethnicity, spirituality, and individual diagnostic needs of the persons served.

Nice To Haves

Previous direct patient care experience in a health care facility.

Responsibilities

Perform testing and manage patient care based on results and clinical findings.
Record patient care across the continuum, including activities of daily living such as feeding, bathing, dressing, toileting, and transferring.
Complete, document, and report patient vital signs, including temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiration, oxygen saturation, and reported pain level.
Assist with patient admission, transfer, and discharge.
Participate in cost-effective strategies to optimize patient outcomes.
Promote patient safety, including fall prevention, and ensure the safety of the clinical environment for patients, visitors, and staff.
Maintain the order and appearance of patient rooms and work areas, and maintain patient care supplies and linen.
Provide post-mortem care.
Collaborate with the health care team to carry out the plan of care, including reporting observed changes in patients’ conditions.
Ensure patient comfort relative to pain status.
Measure and document dietary intake, urinary and stool output, calorie counts, and patient weight.
Provide indwelling urinary catheter care and apply, maintain, and remove external urinary catheter devices.
Conduct blood glucose monitoring.
Provide wound care, skin care, and hygiene to promote healing and maintain skin integrity; report impaired skin integrity or wounds and assist with appropriate strategies or treatment measures.
Assist with patient specimen collection for laboratory testing, using proper patient identification, collection methods, and documentation.
Provide orthopedic and rehabilitation device care, including braces, splints, and CPM; apply and remove compression wraps or stockings.
Participate in hourly patient rounding with the health care team.
Respond to patient-triggered alarms, including call lights, chair alarms, bed alarms, and tele-sitter alarms.
Comply with The Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals within scope of practice.
Detect, report, and act to avoid or correct safety risks; report adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority.
Maintain professional vigilance for assigned patients, including when assigned as a patient safety companion.
Use safe lifting techniques and body mechanics in daily practice.
Improve patient flow and prevent care delays.
Perform other duties as assigned.