Patient Care Technician II

University of Maryland Medical System•Glen Burnie, MD

About The Position

Under the direction of professional nursing staff, the Patient Care Technician II provides direct patient care and supports the interdisciplinary patient care services team. The role includes taking vital signs, checking surgical dressings, assisting with activities of daily living, drawing blood, collecting specimens, observing and gathering patient data, communicating changes in patient status, and providing care based on identified needs. The technician performs and documents a broad range of patient-care procedures and tasks, including supporting patient mobility and personal care; assisting with admissions, transfers, and discharges; monitoring patient safety and comfort; providing delegated clinical treatments; and collaborating with the health care team to carry out the plan of care. The technician also helps maintain patient rooms, work areas, supplies, and linen, and may precept and mentor other patient care technicians.

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.

Nice To Haves

One year of previous experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Perform testing and manage patient care based on results and clinical findings.
Record patient care across the continuum, including assistance with 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 help ensure a safe clinical environment for patients, visitors, and staff.
Maintain the order and appearance of patient rooms and the work area, and maintain patient-care supplies and linen.
Provide post-mortem care.
Collaborate with the health care team in carrying out the plan of care and report observed changes in patients’ conditions.
Support patient comfort in relation to pain status.
Measure and document urinary and stool output, calorie counts, and patient weight.
Provide indwelling urinary catheter care; apply, maintain, and remove external urinary catheter devices; perform bladder scans; measure and document post-void residuals; and insert intermittent and indwelling catheters and document output.
Conduct blood glucose monitoring.
Perform venipuncture to draw blood samples and establish IV access.
Perform nasal swabs.
Gather equipment and initiate IV placement for patients as directed by the registered nurse.
Set up and operate multiple-lead EKG machines, attach and remove EKG leads, and run rhythm strips.
Assist with enteral tube feedings through nasogastric or gastrostomy tubes under licensed-nurse supervision.
Perform chest physical therapy, tracheal suctioning, tracheostomy care, and incentive spirometry treatments as delegated and supervised by the responsible registered nurse.
Assist with simple dressing changes, including routine dressings for stage one and two wounds, surgical incisions, and peripheral IV sites after assessment by a Registered Nurse; provide wound care, skin care, and hygiene; report impaired skin integrity or wound impairment; and assist with appropriate wound-care strategies or treatment measures.
Collect patient specimens for laboratory testing using proper patient identification, collection techniques, and documentation.
Provide orthopedic and rehabilitation device care, such as braces, splints, and CPM, and don or doff compression wraps or stockings.
Precept and mentor PCT I and PCT II staff and ensure completion of documentation.
Participate in hourly patient rounding with the health care team.
Respond to patient-triggered alarms, including call-light, chair, bed, and tele-sitter alarms.
Comply with The Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals within the 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.