Patient Care Tech - Pediatric Operating Room - Rotating

VCU Health•Richmond, VA

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician - OR provides direct, age-specific patient care based on medical orders and the plan of care under the direction of an RN or licensed independent practitioner. The role supports safe patient care in the operating room, helps meet patients’ comfort, hygiene, and safety needs, monitors patient condition, and communicates relevant updates to the health care team. Care is provided in accordance with nursing and medical plans of care and VCUHS policies and procedures. The technician assists with patient transfers, positioning, and preparation; maintains a safe, clean, and stocked clinical environment; and supports case readiness by preparing supplies and equipment, transporting dirty case carts or instrumentation, and opening sterile supplies. The position also includes assigned safety checks, equipment and supply maintenance, and participation in mandatory training and patient-safety initiatives. Additional procedural duties may include donning sterile gown and gloves to hold an extremity, passing sutures, holding retractors under direction, helping break down the sterile field, and operating designated specialty equipment under RN direction. The position serves patients across the lifespan, from neonates through older adults. Work may involve high stress and fluctuating workloads, frequent interruptions, high noise levels and bright lights, exposure to body fluids or potentially infectious materials, and other hazards. The role requires universal precautions and use of personal protective equipment. Physical demands include lifting and moving patients and equipment, walking and standing, and performing shift work.

Requirements

High school degree or equivalent.
AHA BLS HCP Certification or equivalent.
Certification or completion of one of the following: Certified Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant, Emergency Medical Technician, Military Corpsmen/Medic, or Nursing Aide Training Program experience within a healthcare environment; alternatively, completion of a foundations/clinical nursing course and one clinical rotation.
Ability to provide safe, compassionate care.
Accountability for completion of assigned tasks.
Ability to wear personal protective equipment as needed.
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias.
Ability to perform shift work and meet the stated physical, mental, sensory, and emotional demands of the position.

Nice To Haves

Certified Nursing Assistant education.
Procedural or operating room experience as a nursing assistant or aide.

Responsibilities

Provide safe, direct, age-appropriate care to patients in the assigned unit.
Monitor patient conditions and update the health care team.
Provide direct and indirect care to meet patients’ comfort, personal hygiene, and safety needs.
Assist with patient transfers in the operating room under the direction of anesthesia or nursing staff.
Assist with patient positioning and preparation under the direction of a Registered Nurse.
Deliver care in accordance with nursing and medical plans of care and VCUHS policies and procedures.
Maintain an assigned clinical area as a safe, clean, and stocked environment.
Maintain supplies, educational materials, equipment, instruments, sterilization supplies, and the environment as applicable to support safe patient care.
Prepare supplies, sutures, and equipment for cases based on surgeon preference cards.
Transport dirty case carts and instrumentation to Sterile Processing or HLD, as applicable, and open sterile supplies for cases.
Complete daily safety checklists for assigned areas, including emergency resuscitation/code carts, emergency supply carts, and scope cabinets.
Accurately identify patients, observe safety goals, and report patient responses or incidents posing harm or threat to a licensed independent practitioner, manager, or Registered Nurse.
Attend mandatory in-services and trainings and meet online training requirements.
Participate in hospital, department, or unit patient-safety initiatives.
Maintain courteous and effective rapport with patients, visitors, coworkers, and other members of the health care team; respond promptly to instructions and demonstrate sensitivity to their needs.
Don sterile gown and gloves to hold an extremity during a procedure.
Pass sutures during wound closure and hold retractors during procedures under the direction of the surgical technologist, attending surgeon, or RN.
Assist with breakdown of the sterile field and management of reusable instruments according to policy under the direction of the surgical technologist or RN.
Operate laser and other designated specialty equipment under the direction of the RN.
Provide equitable care appropriate to the age, status, and specific needs of patients served.