Patient Care Technician, NS (5 South)

UPMC•Erie, PA

23h

About The Position

UPMC Hamot is hiring a casual Patient Care Technician to support 5 South. Candidates currently enrolled in nursing school are preferred. The title and rate of pay depend on the candidate’s years of experience. The Patient Care Technician provides patient care and assists with procedures and activities of daily living, therapies, and patient and family instruction under the direction of an RN. The role includes core nursing assistant duties and additional clinical tasks based on department needs, as well as communicating patient status changes, documenting care, and supporting unit operations and patient safety. The technician must routinely perform and be competent in core assistant responsibilities, including activities of daily living, point-of-care testing, weights, vital signs, intake and output, telemetry monitor application or reapplication, patient safety indicators, simple dressings, restraint placement and removal, bladder scans, specimen collection, and intra-hospital transportation. Additional advanced skills may include phlebotomy or venipuncture, peripheral IV removal, indwelling Foley catheter removal, basic arrhythmia recognition, 12-lead EKGs, and clamping and removal of NG tubes. Access to medications 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; enrollment in a PT, OT, PA, or related healthcare training program with at least one clinical rotation completed; or a completed bachelor's degree in a health sciences field.
For candidates with less than one year of experience following the UPMC Nursing Assistant/CNA pathway, achieve PCT competency within 120 days of hire, transfer, or promotion.
Successful completion of the UPMC patient care technician class.
Successful completion of eRecord training.
CPR certification meeting AHA standards, including didactic and skills demonstration components, within 30 days of hire.
Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
Act 34 clearance.
Routine competence in UPMC nursing core assistant responsibilities and the additional duties specified for the role.

Nice To Haves

Currently enrolled in nursing school.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic qualification, or current enrollment in an EMT or Paramedic program.
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS).

Responsibilities

Provide patient care, assist with patient procedures and activities of daily living, and assist with physical, respiratory, and cardiopulmonary therapies.
Provide feedback to the RN about patient care and report changes in patient status.
Perform UPMC nursing core nursing assistant responsibilities, including blood glucose testing, weights, vital signs, intake and output, specimen collection, and Foley care, plus assigned additional clinical tasks.
Perform activities of daily living, including bathing, feeding, transporting, toileting, ambulating, turning, and repositioning patients.
Perform point-of-care testing, telemetry monitor application or reapplication, simple dressings, restraint placement and removal, bladder scans, specimen collection, and intra-hospital patient transportation as assigned.
Achieve and maintain competency in, or perform, at least one advanced skill based on department operational needs, such as phlebotomy or venipuncture, peripheral IV removal, indwelling Foley catheter removal, basic arrhythmia recognition, 12-lead EKGs, or NG tube clamping and removal.
Report equipment malfunctions to the appropriate department and communicate effectively with other departments and members of the healthcare team.
Contribute to universal unit activities, including responding to call lights and telephones, passing meal trays, and transporting patients.
Provide instruction to patients and families under the direction of the RN.
Apply, monitor, and remove patient restraints as permitted by physician or hospital protocol.
Document in the medical record according to established procedures and complete clerical functions as needed.
Follow patient-care and hospital-information policies and procedures, including safety policies and standard precautions.
Support workplace safety for patients and colleagues and demonstrate understanding of cultural diversity, horizontal violence, and impairment in the health professions.
Maintain productive working relationships and demonstrate accountability, motivation, enthusiasm, and commitment to patients and colleagues.
Receive feedback constructively, identify and communicate learning needs, improve knowledge and performance, and participate in self-review as requested.
Request assistance with planning and prioritizing activities as needed.
Suggest and support department changes, projects, and quality initiatives; take responsibility for assignments and contribute to efficient department functioning.
Perform assigned work in a timely and productive manner.