PCT II, Health Alliance Clinton, Emergency Department, Per Diem

UMass Memorial Health•Leominster, MA

3d•$15 - $25•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician II works under the direction of an appropriate licensed clinician and follows unit-specific standards to provide patient care that meets patients’ personal needs and comfort while assisting the healthcare team. To become a PCT II, the caregiver must meet the full competencies outlined by Nursing Professional Practice. The position is an integral part of the patient care team and serves patients, nurses, physicians, and other colleagues who support care delivery and services. The role includes communicating patient observations and changes to the RN, observing high-risk patients, helping maintain a safe environment, assisting with activities of daily living, and supporting patient treatments and procedures. The technician also performs routine patient-care measurements and procedures, maintains supplies and equipment, and communicates respectfully with patients, families, visitors, and colleagues. This position works indoors in a patient-care environment. It involves heavy physical demands, including standing and walking most of the time, frequent bending, possible pushing of heavy equipment, and lifting up to 50 pounds. The schedule is per diem, with various hours on a mixed shift. The schedule includes one major summer holiday, one major winter holiday, and one full weekend per month. The listed hiring range is $15.00–$25.16 based on a full-time schedule of 40 hours per week; compensation is prorated for reduced schedules and may vary based on experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity. A signing bonus may be available, with eligibility confirmed during the interview process.

Requirements

High school education or GED.
Current Basic Life Support certification.
Demonstrated competency attainment at the Patient Care Technician I level, with 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 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; hand dexterity, hearing, and vision to take direction, adjust equipment, and observe and describe patient conditions.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds; work involves standing and walking most of the time, frequent bending, and possible pushing of heavy equipment.

Responsibilities

Communicate clearly and promptly with the RN about patient observations and changes, including skin condition, vital signs, and 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 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 proper safety techniques and body mechanics.
Maintain patient safety by performing safety checks, using directed fall-prevention devices or strategies, and following restraint policy standards when caring for restrained patients.
Take and record vital signs, and measure and record patients’ height and weight.
Perform EKGs, point-of-care tests, and bladder scans according to hospital standards; collect, label, and prepare specimens for transport to the lab.
Perform phlebotomy in certain locations.
Complete selected unit-specific procedures, such as changing telemetry-unit 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 output, as approved, from sources such as Foley catheters, ostomy appliances, and drainage systems; perform ostomy care for established ostomate patients as directed.
Respond sensitively to patients’ needs, provide information, and build positive rapport and relationships.
Communicate respectfully and in a culturally and age-appropriate manner with patients, staff, family, visitors, and others.
Replenish patient and unit supplies and equipment.
Request assistance from identified resources when additional direction is needed.
Stay current with hospital and unit changes by reviewing communications and regularly reading and responding to UMMHC emails.
Precept new Patient Care Technicians.
Comply with departmental policies, procedures, and objectives, and attend meetings, conferences, or seminars as required or directed.
Use quality improvement in daily operations and comply with health and safety regulations and requirements.
Demonstrate respect for diverse views and contribute to a professional, tolerant, civil, and accepting environment.
Maintain regular, reliable, and predictable attendance, and perform other similar or related duties as required or directed.