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

UMass Memorial Health•Leominster, MA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of an appropriate licensed clinician and in keeping with unit-specific standards, the Patient Care Technician II provides patient care to meet patients’ personal needs and comfort and assists members of the healthcare team. The role is an integral part of the patient care team, serving patients, nurses, physicians, and other colleagues. A caregiver must meet the full competencies outlined by Nursing Professional Practice to become a PCT II. This per-diem position is in the Emergency Department at Health Alliance Clinton. It has a mixed shift of 8 hours, with scheduled coverage of one major summer holiday, one major winter holiday, and one full weekend per month. The position works indoors in a patient-care environment and involves heavy physical demands, including standing and walking most of the time, frequent bending, and potentially pushing heavy equipment.

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 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 lift up to 50 pounds; the work also involves standing and walking most of the time, frequent bending, and possibly pushing heavy equipment.
Hand dexterity, hearing, and vision sufficient to take direction from patients or providers, adjust equipment, and observe and describe patient observations.

Responsibilities

Communicate observations and changes in patients’ condition to the RN in a clear and timely manner, 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 in accordance with training and direction when de-escalation is unsuccessful.
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.
Measure and record vital signs, height, and weight.
Perform EKGs, point-of-care tests, and bladder scans; collect, label, and prepare specimens for transport to the laboratory.
Perform unit-specific procedures, such as changing telemetry batteries, checking equipment, 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 output from approved sources; and perform directed ostomy care for established ostomates.
Build positive rapport by responding sensitively to patients’ needs and serving as a source of information.
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 communications and responding to UMass Memorial Health emails.
Precept new Patient Care Technicians.
Comply with departmental policies, procedures, and objectives, attend required meetings or educational events, apply quality improvement in daily work, and comply with health and safety requirements.
Contribute to a professional, tolerant, civil, and accepting environment; maintain reliable attendance; and perform other similar duties as required or directed.