Patient Care Technician FT Day -Adult Pulmonary Critical Care Unit - Methodist

Indiana University Health System•Indianapolis, IN

About The Position

This full-time day-shift position is for a Patient Care Technician (also known as a Patient Care Assistant or PCA) in the Adult Pulmonary Critical Care Unit at Methodist. The technician provides bedside care and helps deliver a positive patient experience by anticipating patient needs, including providing drinks, assisting with meal ordering, encouraging walking, helping with baths, and providing clean linens and gowns. The Patient Care Technician provides clinical assistance to bedside registered nurses by obtaining vital signs and promptly reporting abnormalities or changes in patient behavior to the primary RN or charge nurse to support detection and rapid treatment. The role promotes patient safety through measures such as using gait belts and bed and chair alarms, and staying within arm's reach of patients while they move. The position requires current Basic Life Support certification through the AHA, or attainment of certification upon completion of the IU Health PCA education program. Other advanced life support certifications may be required depending on unit or department specialty and patient-care policies. The role requires knowledge of age- and developmentally appropriate care, patient-care procedures and standards, infection control, and the equipment and software used in the non-licensed role.

Requirements

Current Basic Life Support certification through the AHA, or attainment of certification upon completion of the IU Health PCA education program.
Other advanced life support certifications may be required according to unit or department specialty and patient-care policies.
Knowledge of care appropriate to the age and developmental level of patients served.
Up-to-date knowledge of procedures and standards related to patient-care activities.
Interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability to maintain mental awareness and withstand a high level of tension and stress.
Ability to maintain concentration amid frequent interruptions and variable noise levels.
Ability to exercise judgment and initiative in resolving problems.
Ability to set priorities and manage a high workload within limited time.
Knowledge of procedures, equipment, software, and standards related to patient-care activities performed in a non-licensed role such as PCA/PCR/PCI.
Knowledge of infection-control principles and good personal hygiene and aseptic techniques to prevent infection of patients, self, and others.
Ability to perform physically demanding, repetitive movements.
Ability to read and perform basic math.
Ability to organize tasks and attend to details.

Responsibilities

Anticipate and assist with patients’ bedside needs, including providing drinks, assisting with meal ordering, encouraging walking, helping with baths, and providing clean linens and gowns.
Obtain vital signs and report abnormalities or changes in patient behavior to the primary RN or charge nurse.
Use patient-safety measures such as gait belts, bed and chair alarms, and staying within arm's reach of patients when they are moving.
Follow patient-care procedures and standards, including infection-control principles and aseptic techniques.