Patient Care Technician Other Adult Mixed Acuity Unit FT Day - Arnett

IU Health•Lafayette, IN

About The Position

IU Health is seeking a Patient Care Technician, also known as a Patient Care Assistant or PCA, to provide bedside care and a positive patient experience. The role includes anticipating patients’ needs by providing drinks, assisting with meal ordering, encouraging walking, helping with baths, and providing clean linens and gowns. The PCA provides clinical assistance to the bedside RN by obtaining vital signs and reporting abnormalities or changes in patient behavior to the primary RN or charge nurse so that issues can be detected and treated promptly. Patient safety is maintained through measures such as using gait belts and bed and chair alarms, and staying within arm’s reach of patients while they move. This full-time, day position is in the Other Adult Mixed Acuity Unit at Arnett. IU Health describes the role as requiring compassion, a caring bedside manner, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Requirements

Current Basic Life Support certification through the AHA, or attainment of certification at the completion of the IU Health PCA education program.
Other advanced life support certifications may be required according to unit or department specialty and patient care policies.
Knowledge of care appropriate to the age and developmental level of patients served.
Up-to-date knowledge of procedures and standards related to patient care activities.
Proficiency in interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability to maintain mental awareness and withstand a high level of tension and stress.
Ability to maintain concentration amid frequent and varied interruptions and variable noise levels.
Ability to exercise judgment and initiative in resolving problems.
Ability to set priorities and manage a high workload within limited time.
Knowledge of procedures, equipment, software, and standards related to patient care activities performed by non-licensed roles such as PCA, PCR, or PCI.
Knowledge of infection-control principles.
Ability to perform physically demanding, repetitive movements.
Ability to read and perform basic math.
Ability to organize tasks and attend to details.
Knowledge of personal hygiene and aseptic techniques to prevent infection of patients, oneself, and others.

Responsibilities

Anticipate patients’ needs and provide drinks.
Assist patients with meal ordering.
Encourage patients to walk.
Assist patients with baths and provide clean linens and gowns.
Obtain vital signs to provide clinical assistance to the bedside RN.
Report abnormalities or changes in patient behavior to the primary RN or charge nurse.
Use safety measures such as gait belts and bed and chair alarms.
Stay within arm’s reach of patients when they are moving.