Patient Care Technician - General Adult I (Casual)

UPMC•Pittsburgh, PA

About The Position

UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital is hiring a casual Patient Care Technician for the General Adult I unit. The position is 8 hours per week, with rotating shifts that include days, evenings, nights, and weekends. General Adult I is a 24-bed inpatient behavioral health unit on the 7th floor, providing care to people in acute crisis with diagnoses that may include bipolar disorder, major depression, psychotic disorders, anxiety disorders, and comorbid personality disorders. The Patient Care Technician provides patient care, assists with procedures and activities of daily living, supports physical, respiratory, and cardiopulmonary therapies, and reports patient-status changes to the RN. The role includes core nursing assistant responsibilities and additional clinical tasks determined by unit requirements. The technician also supports unit operations, patient and workplace safety, documentation, communication, and quality initiatives. Medication access is limited to distributing medication to the nurse.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet one of the following experience or education 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 if the applicant has 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 completion of 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 meeting AHA standards, including didactic instruction and skills demonstration, within 30 days of hire.
Required clearance and training items listed in the posting: Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR); CPR; Comprehensive Crisis Management (CCMC); Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal; Act 33 with renewal; Act 34 with renewal; and Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal.
Demonstrate understanding of cultural diversity, horizontal violence, and impairment in the health professions.
Communicate clearly and effectively with members of the health care team.

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 the RN with feedback about patient care and report changes in patient status.
Perform nursing assistant duties, including blood glucose checks, weights, vital signs, intake and output, specimen collection, and Foley care.
Perform applicable additional clinical tasks, including point-of-care testing, telemetry monitor application or reapplication, simple dressings, Foley catheter removal, bladder scans, restraint placement and removal, and other tasks as assigned or required by the unit.
Achieve and maintain competency in, or perform as operational needs require, one or more advanced skills such as phlebotomy or venipuncture, peripheral IV removal, indwelling Foley catheter removal, basic arrhythmia recognition, 12-lead EKG, or NG tube clamping and removal.
Report equipment malfunctions to the appropriate department and communicate effectively with other departments and members of the health care team.
Respond to call lights and telephones, pass meal trays, and help transport patients, including intra-hospital transportation using ticket-to-ride procedures.
Provide instruction to patients and families under the direction of the RN.
Apply, monitor, and remove patient restraints according to physician or hospital protocol, as applicable.
Maintain respectful and productive interpersonal relationships and demonstrate accountability, motivation, and commitment to patients and colleagues.
Identify and communicate learning needs to the unit director or direct leader; seek assistance with planning and prioritizing work; receive feedback constructively; and take action to improve knowledge, skills, and performance.
Participate in self-review as requested by the unit director.
Support patient and workplace safety, follow patient-care and hospital-information policies, and comply with safety procedures, including standard precautions.
Support department projects and quality initiatives, suggest and support departmental changes, and contribute to efficient department functioning.
Document in the medical record according to established procedures and complete clerical functions as needed.
Perform assigned work in a timely and productive manner and take responsibility for assignments.
Limit medication access to distributing medication to the nurse.