Patient Care Technician - Acute Care Cardiac (Harrisburg Hospital)

UPMC•Harrisburg, PA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician provides patient care in an acute-care cardiac setting, assisting with procedures and activities of daily living, and supporting physical, respiratory, and cardiopulmonary therapies. The technician reports patient-status changes and provides feedback to the RN, follows established patient-care and safety policies, and documents care in the medical record. The role includes UPMC nursing core nursing-assistant responsibilities and specified unit-based tasks. The technician also supports unit operations, communicates with members of the healthcare team and other departments, assists patients and families under RN direction, and contributes to department projects and quality initiatives. The technician is expected to maintain competencies, communicate learning needs, and seek assistance with planning and prioritizing work as needed.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet one of the following experience or education pathways: one year of general healthcare experience; six months of experience as a UPMC Nursing Assistant/CNA with PCT competency achieved within 120 days of hire, transfer, or promotion for those with less than one year of experience; enrollment in a PT, OT, PA, 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 eRecord training.
CPR based on AHA standards, including didactic instruction and a skills demonstration, within 30 days of hire.
Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
Act 34 clearance.

Nice To Haves

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic credential, 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.
Provide feedback to the RN regarding patient care and report changes in patient status.
Perform nursing-assistant responsibilities including blood glucose testing, weights, vital signs, intake and output, specimen collection, Foley care, telemetry monitor application or reapplication, and patient-safety activities.
Perform assigned unit-based and advanced skills as applicable, including tasks such as phlebotomy, 12-lead EKGs, simple dressings, Foley catheter removal, point-of-care testing, bladder scans, straight catheterization, peripheral IV removal, basic arrhythmia skills, and NG-tube clamping and removal.
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 instruction to patients and families under the direction of the RN.
Apply, monitor, and remove patient restraints as permitted by physician or hospital protocol.
Communicate clearly and effectively with members of the healthcare team and maintain professional, respectful working relationships.
Follow patient-care, hospital-information, and safety policies and procedures, including standard precautions.
Support workplace safety and demonstrate accountability, motivation, and commitment to patients and colleagues.
Receive feedback and direction constructively; identify and communicate learning needs; take action to improve knowledge, skills, and performance; and request assistance with planning and prioritizing activities as needed.
Participate in self-review when requested by the unit director.
Support departmental changes, projects, and quality initiatives; take responsibility for assignments and contribute to efficient department functioning.
Document in the medical record according to established procedures, complete assigned work in a timely and productive manner, and perform department clerical functions as needed.