Patient Care Technician - E5 Cardiology - West Shore

UPMC•Mechanicsburg, PA

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician provides direct patient care, supports patient procedures and activities of daily living, and assists with physical, respiratory, and cardiopulmonary therapies. The technician communicates patient status changes and care-related feedback to the RN, provides patient and family instruction under RN direction, and may apply, monitor, and remove restraints in accordance with physician or hospital protocol. The role includes UPMC nursing core assistant responsibilities such as ADLs, blood glucose testing, weights, vital signs, intake and output, specimen collection, Foley care, telemetry monitor application or reapplication, patient safety tasks, and intra-hospital transportation. The technician also performs designated additional skills based on competency and department operational needs. Access to medications is limited to distributing medication to the nurse. The technician contributes to unit operations by responding to call lights and telephones, passing meal trays, transporting patients, completing clerical tasks as needed, and documenting care in the medical record. The role requires effective communication and respectful working relationships with patients, families, and the healthcare team; adherence to patient-care, safety, and standard-precaution policies; and participation in learning, self-review, department projects, and quality initiatives.

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 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 based on AHA standards, including didactic instruction and a skills demonstration, within 30 days of hire.
Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
Act 34 clearance.

Nice To Haves

EMT or Paramedic certification, or current enrollment in an EMT or Paramedic program.
ACLS.

Responsibilities

Provide patient care, assist with 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 assistant responsibilities, including ADLs, blood glucose testing, weights, vital signs, intake and output, specimen collection, Foley care, telemetry monitor application or reapplication, and patient safety tasks.
Perform at least four designated BU tasks, such as phlebotomy, 12-lead EKG, simple dressing, Foley catheter removal, point-of-care testing, bladder scan, straight catheterization, or IV catheter removal.
Achieve and maintain competency in, and/or perform as operationally needed, one or more advanced skills, such as phlebotomy or venipuncture, peripheral IV removal, indwelling Foley catheter removal, basic arrhythmia, 12-lead EKG, or NG tube clamping and removal.
Respond to call lights and telephones, pass meal trays, transport patients, and contribute to other universal unit activities.
Report equipment malfunctions to the appropriate department and communicate effectively with other departments.
Provide instruction to patients and families under the RN's direction; apply, monitor, and remove restraints as permitted by physician or hospital protocol.
Communicate clearly with the healthcare team and maintain professional, respectful, and productive working relationships.
Follow patient-care and hospital policies, safety procedures, and standard precautions; support safety for patients and self.
Identify and communicate learning needs, seek assistance with planning and prioritizing activities, respond constructively to feedback, and take action to improve knowledge, skills, and performance.
Support department projects and quality initiatives, suggest changes, and take responsibility for assigned work.
Document in the medical record according to established procedures, complete assigned work in a timely and productive manner, and perform clerical functions as needed.
Limit medication access to distributing medication to the nurse.