Patient Care Technician Adult Med-Surg Combination Unit FT Day - University

IU Health•Indianapolis, IN

About The Position

IU Health is seeking a Patient Care Technician (also known as a Patient Care Assistant or PCA) to provide bedside care and a positive patient experience. The role includes anticipating patients’ needs by providing drinks, assisting with meal ordering, encouraging walking, assisting with baths, and providing clean linens and gowns. The Patient Care Technician provides clinical assistance to bedside registered nurses, including obtaining vital signs and reporting abnormalities or changes in patient behavior to the primary RN or charge nurse to support prompt treatment. The role promotes patient safety by using measures such as gait belts and bed and chair alarms, and by staying within arm’s reach of patients while they are moving. This is a full-time day position on an adult med-surg combination unit at University. The position requires compassion, a caring bedside manner, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Requirements

Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the AHA, or attainment upon completion of the IU Health PCA education program.
Advanced life support certifications may be required according to unit or department specialty and patient-care policies.
Knowledge of care appropriate to the age and developmental level of patients served.
Up-to-date knowledge of procedures and standards related to patient-care activities.
Proficiency in interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability to maintain mental awareness and withstand a high level of tension and stress.
Ability to maintain concentration amid frequent interruptions and variable noise levels.
Ability to exercise judgment and initiative in resolving problems.
Ability to set priorities and manage a high workload within limited time.
Knowledge of procedures, equipment, software, and standards related to patient-care activities performed by non-licensed roles such as PCA, PCR, or PCI.
Knowledge of infection-control principles and personal hygiene and aseptic techniques to prevent infection of patients, self, and others.
Ability to perform physically demanding, repetitive movements.
Ability to read and perform basic math.
Ability to organize tasks and attend to details.
Compassion, a caring bedside manner, and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

Anticipate and meet patients’ bedside needs, including providing drinks and assisting with meal ordering.
Encourage patients to walk and assist with baths.
Provide clean linens and gowns.
Obtain vital signs and report abnormalities or changes in patient behavior to the primary RN or charge nurse.
Use patient safety measures such as gait belts and bed and chair alarms, and stay within arm’s reach of patients when they are moving.
Perform patient-care activities in accordance with applicable procedures, standards, infection-control principles, and aseptic techniques.