Patient Care Technician - Perianesthesia - UPMC Community Osteopathic

UPMC•Harrisburg, PA

About The Position

UPMC Community Osteopathic is hiring a Patient Care Technician for its Perianesthesia Unit. This is a flex full-time position, working 28–40 hours per week year-round on a rotating shift; weekly hours depend on unit needs. The title and starting pay rate may vary based on experience. The Patient Care Technician performs patient-care duties, assists with procedures and activities of daily living, documents care in the medical record, and reports equipment malfunctions. The role also supports universal unit activities, follows patient-care and safety procedures, and communicates with patients, families, colleagues, and other departments. The technician provides feedback to the RN, reports changes in patient status, and gives patient and family instruction under the RN’s direction. The position includes nursing-assistant responsibilities and point-of-care testing, as well as additional clinical tasks and competencies required by the department. Depending on operational needs, the technician must achieve and maintain competency in at least one advanced skill, such as peripheral IV or Foley catheter removal, basic arrhythmia recognition, or NG-tube clamping and removal.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
One of the following: one year of general healthcare experience; enrollment in a PT, OT, PA, or RN program or related healthcare training program with at least one clinical rotation completed; or a bachelor’s degree in a health sciences field.
Successful completion of the UPMC Patient Care Technician class.
Successful completion of basic information system training.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
CPR certification based on AHA standards, including didactic instruction and skills demonstration, within 30 days of hire.
Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting clearance, with renewal.
Act 33 clearance, with renewal.
Act 34 clearance, with renewal.
Act 73 FBI clearance, with renewal.
Access to medications is limited to distributing medication to the nurse.

Nice To Haves

Microcomputer experience.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic qualification, or current enrollment in an EMT or Paramedic program.
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS).

Responsibilities

Assist with patient procedures and activities of daily living, including bathing, feeding, transporting, toileting, ambulating, turning, and repositioning patients.
Assist with physical, respiratory, and cardiopulmonary therapies.
Perform nursing-assistant responsibilities and required competencies, including point-of-care testing such as blood glucose, weights, vital signs, intake and output, telemetry monitor application or reapplication, TEDs/SCDs for HAC and PSI prevention, simple dressings, restraints, 12-lead EKGs, bladder scans, and specimen collection.
Achieve and maintain competency in at least one or more advanced skills based on department operational needs: peripheral IV removal, indwelling Foley catheter removal, basic arrhythmia, or NG-tube clamping and removal.
Document in the medical record according to established procedures and complete department clerical functions as needed.
Report equipment malfunctions to the appropriate department and communicate effectively with other departments.
Respond to call lights and telephones, pass meal trays, and transport patients as part of universal unit activities.
Provide feedback to the RN about patient care and report changes in patient status.
Provide instruction to patients and their families under the direction of the RN.
Apply, monitor, and remove patient restraints according to physician or hospital protocol.
Follow patient-care, hospital-information, and safety policies and procedures, including standard precautions.
Establish professional and respectful relationships and communicate effectively with patients, families, colleagues, and other members of the healthcare team.
Complete assigned work in a timely and productive manner.
Receive feedback and direction constructively, identify learning needs, improve knowledge and performance, and request assistance with planning and prioritizing as needed.
Support department projects, quality initiatives, and appropriate changes; take responsibility for assignments and contribute to efficient department functioning.
Perform other duties as assigned.