Patient Care Technician - L&D (Carlisle)

UPMC•Carlisle, PA

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician provides patient care and supports nurses and the wider care team. The role includes assisting with procedures and activities of daily living; supporting physical, respiratory, and cardiopulmonary therapies; reporting changes in patient status to the RN; and providing patient and family instruction under RN direction. The technician performs UPMC nursing assistant core responsibilities and additional department-identified skills, including point-of-care testing, specimen collection, vital signs, weights, intake and output, Foley care, and other assigned procedures. Restraints may be applied, monitored, and removed in accordance with physician orders or hospital protocol. The position also contributes to unit operations by responding to call lights and telephones, passing meal trays, transporting patients, completing clerical work as needed, and documenting care in the medical record. The technician reports equipment malfunctions, follows patient-care and safety policies, and supports department projects and quality initiatives. Access to medications is limited to distributing them to the nurse. The technician is expected to communicate effectively and respectfully with patients, families, and colleagues; support workplace safety; accept feedback and direction; identify learning needs; and seek assistance with planning and prioritizing activities. Based on department operational needs, the technician will achieve and maintain competency in and/or perform at least one advanced skill, such as phlebotomy, peripheral IV removal, indwelling Foley catheter removal, basic arrhythmia, 12-lead EKG, or NG tube clamping and removal.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet one of the following experience or training pathways: one year of general healthcare experience; six months of experience as a UPMC Nursing Assistant/CNA, with PCT competency achieved within 120 days of hire, transfer, or promotion for those with less than one year of experience; enrollment in a PT, OT, PA, or related healthcare training program with at least one clinical rotation completed; or a bachelor's degree in a health sciences field.
Successful completion of the UPMC Patient Care Technician class.
Successful completion of eRecord training.
CPR certification based on AHA standards, including didactic training and a skills demonstration, within 30 days of hire.
Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting, with renewal.
Act 33 clearance, with renewal.
Act 34 clearance, with renewal.
Act 73 FBI Clearance, with renewal.
Ability to perform the nursing assistant core responsibilities and assigned patient-care tasks competently.

Nice To Haves

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic qualification, or current enrollment in an EMT or Paramedic program.
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).

Responsibilities

Assist with patient procedures and activities of daily living, including bathing, feeding, toileting, ambulating, turning, repositioning, and transporting patients.
Assist with physical, respiratory, and cardiopulmonary therapies.
Provide feedback to the RN about patient care and report changes in patient status.
Perform nursing assistant core responsibilities, including blood glucose and other point-of-care testing, weights, vital signs, intake and output, specimen collection, Foley care, and telemetry monitor application or reapplication.
Perform assigned additional skills, which may include phlebotomy, 12-lead EKG, simple dressings, Foley catheter removal, bladder scans, straight catheterization, peripheral IV catheter removal, and NG tube clamping or removal.
Support patient safety indicators and hospital-acquired condition prevention, and apply, monitor, or remove restraints as permitted by physician orders or hospital protocol.
Provide instruction to patients and families under the direction of the RN.
Respond to call lights and telephones, pass meal trays, and transport patients, including intra-hospital transportation using the ticket-to-ride process.
Report equipment malfunctions to the appropriate department and communicate effectively with other departments.
Document in the medical record according to established procedures and complete clerical functions as needed.
Follow patient-care, hospital-information, and safety policies, including standard precautions.
Contribute to department projects and quality initiatives, suggest and support changes, and complete assigned work in a timely and productive manner.
Accept feedback and direction, communicate learning needs to the unit director or direct leader, seek assistance with planning and prioritizing, and take action to improve knowledge, skills, and performance.
Maintain professional, respectful, and productive working relationships; demonstrate accountability, motivation, and commitment to patients and colleagues.