Patient Care Technician - Post-Surgical Unit Days - 12hrs/wk

University of Michigan Health-West • Wyoming, MI

5d

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 post-surgical unit. This is a day-shift position with a 0.3 FTE status, 12 hours per week, no on-call requirement, and weekend work required.

The PCT assists with daily activities, comfort, hygiene, nutrition, elimination, specimen collection, measurements, and designated procedures. The role includes using equipment and supplies safely, supporting infection-control practices, documenting care as directed by the RN, and communicating effectively with patients and the care team while maintaining confidentiality.

The technician must meet the unit’s core competencies as defined in the orientation checklist. Other duties may include tasks assigned 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, or work groups as determined by management.

Requirements

• 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 as defined in the orientation checklist.

Nice To Haves

• For health science program enrollment, completion of a nursing fundamentals course and/or one clinical rotation is preferred.
• Basic understanding of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, and patient confidentiality.
• Experience in an acute care or extended care facility.
• Health science programs that may qualify include nursing school, pre-PA school, medical school, or a closely related program.
• Equivalent experience may include Medical Assistant, Paramedic, Medical First Responder, EMT, Nurse Tech, Resident Aid/Assistant, or LPN.

Responsibilities

• Assist patients with activities of daily living and comfort, including making beds, turning and positioning, ambulating, dangling, transferring, and performing passive or assisted active range-of-motion exercises.
• Assist patients with hygiene activities.
• Provide designated care, including indwelling urinary catheter care (excluding insertion, removal, and irrigation), changing non-sterile dressings, ileostomy or colostomy care, and postmortem care assistance.
• Assist with nutrition by passing trays, snacks, and drinking water; feeding patients; and measuring and recording dietary intake.
• Assist with elimination needs, record accurate intake and output, and empty drains as designated by the RN.
• Collect and label sputum, urine, and stool specimens; test urine for sugar, acetone, blood, or pH; strain urine for kidney stones; and use a glucometer to test blood glucose.
• Measure and record vital signs and weight, including temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and respiratory rate, using appropriate scales.
• Use equipment and supplies safely, including assisting with incentive spirometry, setting up oxygen flow meters and suction equipment, disposing of suction canisters, and applying or removing designated comfort and support devices.
• Support infection control by using aseptic technique and standard precautions; caring for patients under special isolation precautions; handling clean and soiled linen; replacing full sharps containers; and cleaning equipment between patients and before return to Central Processing Department.
• Document care provided as directed by the RN.
• Communicate using Vocera, unit paging, telephone, and pneumatic tube systems; answer patient call lights; report observations to the RN; keep the RN informed about care delivered; and maintain patient confidentiality.
• Perform other assigned duties that support department efficiency; maintain knowledge of department processes and procedures; pursue self-directed learning and continuing education; and participate in committees, task forces, or work groups as determined by management.
• Successfully complete unit-specific core competencies outlined in the orientation checklist.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED