PCT, Med Surg Unit, 24hr, Nights

UMass Memorial Health•Leominster, MA

13h•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician provides patient care under the direction of an appropriate licensed clinician, meeting patients’ personal care and comfort needs and assisting the healthcare team. The technician communicates observations and changes in patients’ conditions to the RN, helps maintain a safe environment, and supports patients with activities of daily living and clinical procedures. The role serves patients, nurses, physicians, and other colleagues and emphasizes respectful, culturally and age-appropriate communication and positive relationships. The position is a 24-hour-per-week night schedule, 11:00 p.m.–7:30 a.m., with every other weekend and every other holiday scheduled. The stated hiring range is $15.00–$25.16, based on a 40-hour full-time schedule; compensation for part-time or reduced schedules is prorated based on scheduled hours and other listed factors. A signing bonus may be available, with eligibility confirmed during the interview process. The work takes place indoors in a patient care environment and involves frequent standing and walking, bending, and possibly pushing heavy equipment. The role requires hand dexterity, hearing, and vision sufficient to take direction, adjust equipment, and observe and describe patient conditions, as well as the ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

Requirements

High school education or GED.
Current Basic Life Support certification.
Demonstrated competency at the Patient Care Technician I level, 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.
Medical terminology knowledge.
Computer skills.
Strong interpersonal skills to gather information, build collaborative working relationships, and provide exceptional patient service.
Demonstrated problem-solving ability for routine situations.
Ability to remain calm under stress or in emergencies.
Ability to work indoors in a patient care environment and meet the described physical demands, including lifting up to 50 pounds.

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 policy.
Assist patients with daily living activities, including 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 strategies, and follow 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; collect, label, and prepare specimens for laboratory transport.
Perform selected unit-specific procedures, including checking equipment, changing telemetry-unit batteries, cleaning equipment between patients, and storing supplies properly.
Assist the RN or Licensed Independent Practitioner with treatments and procedures by preparing and positioning patients, obtaining and setting up equipment and supplies, using sterile technique when indicated, 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 outputs; and perform directed ostomy care for established ostomate patients.
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, families, visitors, and others.
Replenish patient and unit supplies and equipment.
Request assistance from appropriate resources when more direction is needed.
Stay informed about hospital and unit changes by reviewing communications and responding to UMMHC emails.
May precept new Patient Care Technicians.
Comply with departmental policies, procedures, objectives, and health and safety requirements; attend required meetings and training; apply quality improvement in daily work; contribute to a respectful and professional environment; maintain regular, reliable attendance; and perform other similar duties as directed.