Patient Care Technician - ED

Children's National Hospital

2d•$21 - $42•Onsite

About The Position

In collaboration with the multidisciplinary health care delivery team and under the direction of a Registered Nurse, the Patient Care Technician performs basic nursing care activities, helps maintain a safe, clean, and stocked patient care setting, assists staff members, and helps direct patient flow. The role supports patient care in the Emergency Medicine Trauma Center, including admissions, daily living needs, direct care, monitoring, infection control, documentation, communication, shared leadership, and safety.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), or Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) certification.
Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider (BLS) certification.
Basic computer skills, including typing and use of a mouse and email.
Knowledge of aseptic technique.
Basic calculation skills, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Human relations and interpersonal skills.

Nice To Haves

One year of experience in a health care setting, preferably pediatrics.
One semester of clinical experience completed at an accredited school of nursing or military corpsman training.

Responsibilities

Orient families to the use of call lights, monitors, and the unit; set up monitors and alarms; and obtain vital signs, height, weight, and head circumference.
Assist with activities of daily living, including bathing, skin care, mouth care, and peri-care.
Ensure proper nutrition as ordered, provide tube-feeding care, and feed patients.
Apply skin creams as directed by the RN and collect cultures, urine, stool, and other samples.
Recognize and report pain and skin breakdown; prioritize tasks and special requests from the RN.
Assist with tracheostomy care, EVDs, central-line dressings, pin care, cast and traction care, and care for dying patients.
Help prepare rooms for admissions and discharges, support patient flow, and maintain a neat and orderly environment.
Obtain equipment and supplies and maintain PAR levels.
Observe monitors and alert the RN to deviations; when assigned to the monitor bank, follow monitor guidelines for dress code and professionalism.
Care for isolation patients, perform hand hygiene before and after every patient, and clean equipment after each patient's use.
Document promptly in the nursing database and on flow sheets, record vital signs, and notify the appropriate charge nurse in the computer or chart as appropriate.
Communicate changes and abnormal findings to the RN and team, participate in beginning- and end-of-shift reporting, and communicate with the RN about patient care activities at least hourly.
Notify the charge nurse when leaving and returning to the unit; maintain professional relationships with patients and families, resolve co-worker conflicts appropriately, support family-centered care, and demonstrate non-judgmental behavior.
Stay informed about council meetings and unit issues, contribute to unit discussions, and support shared-leadership decisions.
Speak up about unsafe behavior or performance, verify information used for decisions and documentation, pause to resolve uncertainty, communicate clearly and promptly, and promote safety for patients, families, visitors, and co-workers.
Attend to details and self-check behavior and performance using Stop, Think, Act, and Review.