Patient Care Technician - NICU

Children's National Hospital

2d•$21 - $42•Onsite

About The Position

In collaboration with the multidisciplinary health care delivery team and under the direction of a Registered Nurse, the Patient Care Technician performs basic nursing care activities, helps maintain a safe, clean, and stocked patient care setting, assists staff members, and helps direct patient flow. This position is in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Children’s National Hospital. The role includes supporting patients and families during admission and daily care; monitoring and reporting patient status; assisting with procedures and patient flow; maintaining infection-control practices; documenting care; communicating with the RN and other team members; and contributing to unit safety and shared leadership.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
CNA, EMT, or Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) certification.
Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Provider certification.
Basic computer skills, including typing and use of a mouse and email.
Knowledge of aseptic technique.
Basic calculation skills, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Human relations and interpersonal skills.

Nice To Haves

One year of experience in a health care setting, preferably pediatrics.
One semester of clinical experience completed at an accredited school of nursing or military corpsman training.

Responsibilities

Orient families to the call lights, monitor, and unit, and set up monitors and alarms.
Measure and record vital signs, height, weight, and head circumference.
Provide activities of daily living, including bathing, skin care, mouth care, and peri-care.
Ensure patients receive nutrition as ordered; care for tube feedings and feed patients.
Apply skin creams as directed by the RN and collect cultures, urine, stool, and other samples.
Recognize and report pain, skin breakdown, monitor deviations, abnormal findings, and other changes to the RN.
Prioritize tasks and special requests from the RN.
Assist with tracheostomy care, EVDs, central-line dressings, pin care, cast and traction care, and care for dying patients.
Help prepare rooms for admissions and discharges and support patient flow by maintaining a neat, orderly environment.
Obtain equipment and supplies and maintain PAR levels.
Follow monitor guidelines, including dress code and professionalism, when assigned to the monitor bank.
Care for isolation patients, wash hands before and after every patient, and clean equipment after each patient’s use.
Document care, vital signs, and other information promptly in the nursing database or flow sheets, and notify the appropriate charge nurse through the computer or chart as appropriate.
Communicate effectively with the RN and team, report changes and abnormal findings, and participate in beginning- and end-of-shift reporting.
Maintain professional relationships with patients and families, resolve coworker conflicts appropriately, support family-centered care, and demonstrate non-judgmental behavior.
Communicate with the RN about patient-care activities at least hourly and notify the charge nurse when leaving and returning to the unit.
Stay informed about council meetings and unit issues; contribute to unit discussions and support shared leadership decisions.
Speak up about unsafe behavior or performance, verify information used for decisions and documentation, and stop to resolve uncertainty.
Communicate clearly and promptly, promote safety for patients, families, visitors, and coworkers, and use Stop, Think, Act, and Review to self-check behavior and performance.