Patient Care Technician - FT Days

Hackensack Meridian Health•Neptune City, NJ

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician functions as a caregiver for a specific patient population, providing effective direct and indirect care as part of an interdisciplinary team and under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse. The role focuses on developing knowledge and skills while supporting patient satisfaction, comfort, safety, and desired outcomes for patients with varying and complex needs. The technician also assists with patient-, unit-, and environment-related tasks and participates in patient safety and performance-improvement initiatives. The position includes collecting and documenting clinical information and specimens, performing selected procedures, assisting with hygiene and comfort, supporting patient transfers and meals, and maintaining a safe and prepared care environment. Care is adapted to the age, culture, language, literacy, and other needs of the patient population. The role requires ongoing communication with patients and the healthcare team, including promptly notifying the registered nurse of abnormal findings or changes in a patient's condition.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent GED program.
Completion of a Certified Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant, or Patient Care Technician program; a Fundamentals of Nursing program from an accredited school of nursing; the HMH PCT Apprenticeship Program; or equivalent medical background experience such as EMT, Home Health Aide, CMA, MA, PCT, or Nursing Assistant.
Ability to learn quickly and adapt to changing patient needs.
Strong accountability for improving the lives of patients and caregivers, teamwork, commitment to ongoing education, and a patient-focused approach to high-quality care and service.
AHA Basic Health Care Life Support HCP Certification within 60 days of entering the position.

Nice To Haves

Experience or certification in phlebotomy and experience checking EKGs, vital signs, and blood sugar.
At least one year of PCT or CNA experience in a hospital setting, or eligibility for the HMH PCT Apprentice Program.
CNA, CMA, or PCT certification from a program that includes theoretical and clinical training in phlebotomy, EKG, and nursing-assistant coursework.

Responsibilities

Provide age-appropriate patient care based on physical, psychosocial, educational, safety, and related needs.
Promote effective and safe patient outcomes through sound practice, judgment, and appropriate actions.
Communicate with patients, nursing colleagues, and other members of the healthcare team about patient status and care provided.
Take initiative to improve job performance and identify opportunities to contribute beyond routine expectations.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team on the patient's plan of care from admission through discharge and support safe transitions and continuity of care.
Participate in unit and department performance-improvement activities and patient-safety initiatives.
Welcome patients and check identification bracelets; prepare patients for assessment, admission, examinations, and procedures.
Recognize and respond to opportunities to improve patient satisfaction.
Obtain and document temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, weights, intake and output, and glucose finger-stick results; promptly notify the registered nurse of abnormal results or changes in condition.
Collect blood and other specimens using appropriate aseptic techniques, perform venipuncture, and ensure specimens are correctly labeled, processed, and transported.
Perform EKGs as directed.
Check, maintain, and ensure the functionality and cleanliness of necessary equipment, including code carts, oxygen, and other emergency medical equipment, as directed.
Apply bandages, slings, compression boots, and hypothermia blankets according to standards and as directed by the registered nurse.
Assist with patient transport to departments or units upon request.
Assist patients with meals or feeding as needed.
Check and restock inventory in assigned areas as directed and prepare room environments for admissions.
Provide hygiene and comfort care, including bathing, toileting, oral hygiene, incontinence care, and bed making.
Assist patients with dressing and undressing; manage belongings using labeled bags and completed property checklists, and monitor return of clothing to family.
Provide post-mortem care.
Maintain a safe patient environment by responding promptly to call lights and communicating patient changes to the registered nurse.
Identify the needs of the population served and adapt care and communication to patient age, development, culture, language, literacy, hearing, vision, and other needs.
Perform other duties and projects as assigned.