Patient Care Technician - Progressive Care Unit Days - 24hrs/wk

umhealthwest•Wyoming, MI

17h

About The Position

Under the direction of a Registered Nurse (RN), the Patient Care Technician (PCT) provides basic nursing care to patients and performs related tasks necessary to support the unit. This is a Progressive Care Unit day-shift position, scheduled for 24 hours per week (0.6 FTE), with weekend work every other weekend. The position is not on call. The PCT supports patients with daily activities, comfort, hygiene, nutrition, elimination, and procedures within the role’s scope. The technician collects specimens, performs designated urine and blood glucose testing, measures and records vital signs and weight, uses patient-care equipment safely, follows infection-control precautions, documents care as directed by the RN, and communicates with patients and the care team. Other duties may be assigned to facilitate department efficiency, maintain knowledge of department processes, pursue learning opportunities, and participate in committees or work groups as determined by management.

Requirements

Minimum high school diploma or GED.
Meet at least one of the following: current Certified Nurse Aide (CENA) certification; current enrollment and continued progression in a health science program; or equivalent experience.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) provider certification.
Ability to successfully complete unit-specific core competencies defined in the orientation checklist.

Nice To Haves

Completion of a nursing fundamentals course and/or one clinical rotation for candidates enrolled in a health science program.
Basic understanding of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, and patient confidentiality.
Experience in an acute care or extended care facility.

Responsibilities

Assist patients with activities of daily living and comfort, including making beds, turning and positioning patients, ambulating and dangling patients, transfers, and passive or assisted active range-of-motion exercises.
Assist patients with hygiene activities.
Provide indwelling urinary catheter care, excluding insertion, removal, and irrigation; change non-sterile dressings; provide ileostomy and colostomy care; and assist with postmortem care.
Assist with nutrition by passing trays, snacks, and water; feeding patients; and measuring and recording dietary intake.
Assist patients with elimination needs, record accurate input and output, and empty other drains as designated by the RN.
Collect and label sputum, urine, and stool specimens for laboratory testing; test urine for sugar, acetone, blood, or pH; strain urine for kidney stones; and use a glucometer to test blood glucose levels.
Measure and record vital signs and weight, including temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and respiratory rate, using appropriate scales.
Use equipment and supplies safely and appropriately, including assisting with incentive spirometry, setting up oxygen flow meters and suction equipment, disposing of suction canisters, and applying or removing designated supports and devices.
Help control infection by using aseptic technique and standard precautions, following special isolation precautions, handling linen and sharps appropriately, and cleaning equipment between uses and before return to Central Processing Department.
Document care as directed by the RN.
Communicate effectively using Vocera, unit paging, telephone, and pneumatic tube systems; answer patient call lights; report observations to the RN; keep the RN informed of care delivered; and maintain patient confidentiality.
Perform other assigned duties, including tasks delegated by the RN in charge, maintaining knowledge of department processes and procedures, pursuing self-directed learning and continuing education, and participating in committees, task forces, and work groups as determined by management.