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

UMass Memorial Health•Worcester, MA

11d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of an appropriate licensed clinician and according to unit-specific standards, the Patient Care Technician I performs patient care activities to meet patients’ personal needs and comfort and assists the healthcare team. The role serves patients, nurses, physicians, and other colleagues who support care delivery. The position requires working indoors in a patient care environment and involves substantial standing and walking, frequent bending, and potentially pushing heavy equipment. The technician must be able to lift up to 50 pounds. This is a 24-hour-per-week night position, scheduled from 11:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m., with every other weekend and every other holiday scheduled. The hiring range is $18.92–$26.96 based on a 40-hour schedule; part-time compensation is prorated. A signing bonus may be available, subject to eligibility confirmation.

Requirements

High school education or GED.
Current Basic Life Support certification.
Demonstrated competency at the Patient Care Technician I level, with at least 800 hours and six months 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.
Medical terminology knowledge.
Computer skills.
Strong interpersonal skills to gather information, build collaborative relationships within and across departments, and provide exceptional patient service.
Proven problem-solving ability in routine situations.
Ability to remain calm under stress or in emergency situations.
Ability to work indoors in a patient care environment; use hand dexterity, hearing, and vision to take direction, adjust equipment, and observe and describe patient observations.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds; work involves heavy physical demands, standing and walking most of the time, and frequent bending, with possible pushing of heavy equipment.

Responsibilities

Communicate clearly and promptly with the RN about patient observations and changes, including changes in skin condition, vital signs, and mental status.
Provide constant observation of high-risk patients when assigned by the Resource Nurse or designee.
Help maintain a safe environment, use de-escalation interventions, and participate in restraints as 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 appropriate safety techniques and body mechanics.
Perform patient safety checks, use directed fall-prevention devices or 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 laboratory transport.
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, helping position 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 output from sources such as Foley catheters, ostomy appliances, and drainage systems; perform ostomy care for established ostomate patients as directed.
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 designated resources when further direction is needed.
Stay current with hospital and unit changes by reviewing communication boards, books, bulletin boards, and posted notices, and by regularly reading and responding to UMMHC emails.
May precept new Patient Care Technicians.
Comply with departmental policies, procedures, and objectives; attend required meetings, conferences, and seminars; and apply quality improvement in daily work.
Comply with health and safety regulations and contribute to a professional, tolerant, civil, and accepting environment that respects diverse views and approaches.
Maintain regular, reliable, and predictable attendance and perform other similar duties as required or directed.