Patient Care Tech - Neuro ICU - Rotating - PRN

VCU Health•Richmond, VA

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician provides direct, age-specific care to patients in the Neuroscience ICU under the direction of a registered nurse or licensed independent practitioner, following medical orders and the plan of care. The unit is a 28-bed neuroscience intensive care unit and a component of VCU’s comprehensive stroke center. The role serves patients across the lifespan, from neonates through geriatrics, and supports safe, compassionate care, patient comfort, hygiene, and safety. The position involves rotating shifts and is PRN. The technician collects and records patient information, assists with specimens and diagnostic or waived tests, maintains a clean and well-stocked clinical environment, and supports the healthcare team. The role requires adherence to nursing and hospital policies, participation in required training and patient-safety initiatives, and effective, courteous communication with patients, visitors, coworkers, and other healthcare team members. The work may involve high stress, fluctuating workloads, frequent interruptions, exposure to infectious materials and other hazards, and substantial physical and emotional demands.

Requirements

High school degree 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, or completion of a foundations/clinical nursing course and one clinical rotation.
AHA BLS HCP Certification or equivalent.
Knowledge of patient data collection and documentation, including vital signs, intake/output, and changes in patient condition.
Knowledge of basic hygiene and activities of daily living care.
Ability to assist with feeding, hydration, nutrition, ambulation, and patient mobility.
Ability to provide safe, compassionate care and be accountable for completing assigned tasks.
Ability to wear personal protective equipment as needed.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias.
Ability to meet the physical, sensory, and emotional demands described for the role, including maneuvering patient weight, performing shift work, handling multiple priorities, and adapting to frequent change.

Nice To Haves

Certified Nursing Assistant preferred as education.
Acute care experience as a nursing assistant or aide.

Responsibilities

Provide safe, direct, age-appropriate care to patients in the assigned unit.
Monitor patients’ conditions and update the healthcare team.
Provide direct and indirect care to meet patients’ comfort, personal hygiene, and safety needs, including patients with medical or surgical complications.
Deliver care according to nursing and medical plans of care and VCUHS policies and procedures.
Maintain a safe, clean, and stocked clinical location; maintain supplies, educational materials, equipment, and the sterilization of supplies and instruments as applicable.
Promote a positive patient experience by accurately identifying patients, observing safety goals, and reporting patient responses or incidents posing harm or threat to a licensed independent practitioner, manager, or registered nurse.
Obtain and record initial and ongoing patient information, including admission data, vital signs, height, weight, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, intake and output, calorie counts, and other information required by VCUHS policy.
Obtain or assist with collecting specimens for diagnostic or waived tests.
Attend mandatory in-services and trainings and complete required online training.
Promote patient safety through job performance and participation in hospital, department, or unit safety initiatives.
Maintain courteous and effective rapport with patients, visitors, coworkers, and other healthcare team members; respond promptly to verbal and written instructions and demonstrate sensitivity to their needs.
Perform other duties as assigned.