Patient Care Technician - Endoscopy Days - 24hrs/wk.

University of Michigan Health-West•Wyoming, MI

About The Position

Under the direction of a Registered Nurse (RN), the Patient Care Technician (PCT) provides basic nursing care to patients and performs related tasks necessary to support the unit. This position is in Endoscopy and is scheduled for day shifts at 24 hours per week (0.6 FTE). There is no on-call requirement or weekend work. The PCT assists with daily activities, comfort, hygiene, nutrition, elimination, specimen collection, vital signs, measurements, and designated procedures. The role also includes safe use of equipment, infection-control practices, documentation, and communication with patients and the care team. The PCT reports observations and care delivered to the RN and maintains patient confidentiality. Other duties may include tasks assigned by the RN in charge to support department efficiency, keeping current with department procedures, pursuing self-directed learning and continuing education, and participating in committees, task forces, and work groups as determined by management.

Requirements

Minimum high school diploma or GED.
Meet at least one of the following: current Certified Nurse Aide (CENA) certification; current enrollment and continued progression in a health science program; or equivalent experience.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) provider certification.
Ability to successfully complete unit-specific core competencies defined in the orientation checklist.

Nice To Haves

Completion of a nursing fundamentals course and/or one clinical rotation for those enrolled in a health science program.
Basic understanding of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, and patient confidentiality.
Experience in an acute care or extended care facility.

Responsibilities

Assist patients with activities of daily living and comfort, including making beds, turning and positioning, ambulating, dangling, transferring, and performing passive or assisted active range-of-motion exercises.
Assist patients with hygiene activities.
Provide indwelling urinary catheter care (excluding insertion, removal, and irrigation), change non-sterile dressings, provide ileostomy or colostomy care, and assist with postmortem care.
Assist with nutrition by passing trays, snacks, and drinking water; feeding patients; and measuring and recording intake from dietary trays.
Assist patients with elimination needs, record accurate intake and output, and empty other drains as designated by the RN.
Collect and label sputum, urine, and stool specimens for laboratory testing; test urine for sugar, acetone, blood, or pH; strain urine for kidney stones; and use a glucometer to test blood glucose levels.
Measure and record accurate vital signs and weight, including temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and respiratory rate; use standing, chair, sling, and bed scales.
Use equipment and supplies safely and appropriately, including assisting with incentive spirometry, setting up oxygen flow meters and suction equipment, disposing of suction canisters, and applying or removing designated comfort and support devices.
Help control infection by using aseptic technique and standard precautions, caring for patients with special isolation precautions, handling clean and soiled linen appropriately, replacing full sharps containers, and cleaning equipment between patients and before return to Central Processing Department (CPD).
Document care given as directed by the RN.
Communicate effectively using Vocera, unit paging, telephone, and pneumatic tube systems; answer patient call lights; report observations to the RN; keep the RN informed of care delivered; and maintain patient confidentiality.
Perform other assigned duties, including tasks that support department efficiency, maintaining knowledge of department processes and procedures, pursuing self-directed learning and continuing education, and participating in committees, task forces, and work groups as determined by management.