Patient Care Technician

Lehigh Valley Health Network • Bethlehem, PA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) provides designated direct and indirect patient care activities under the direction and supervision of licensed clinical team members. The role is grounded in patient- and family-centered care, valuing each individual and addressing patients’ physiological, emotional, and social needs. The PCT communicates and collaborates with the interprofessional team, patients, families, and designated care partners. Depending on campus needs, the PCT may serve as a virtual safety associate or help facilitate telehealth encounters, including clinical examinations using peripheral devices, video-conferencing equipment, and related software under the direction of a distant provider.

This is an onsite position at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Muhlenberg, at 2545 Schoenersville Rd. The listed work schedule is 0700–1930, with a holiday rotation and every third weekend. The role requires frequent to continuous standing and walking, as well as lifting and carrying 40–50 pounds. Patient-care providers may also need to kneel, bend, squat, and perform CPR.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Knowledge of medical terminology, patient-care needs, and the PCT’s role on the interprofessional team.
• Ability to complete delegated tasks within the scope of the role.
• Knowledge of personal care and hygiene needed for quality of life, and ability to apply that knowledge to patients daily.
• Knowledge of risks faced by patients in a healthcare environment and ability to take steps to reduce those risks.
• Ability to convey respect and collaborate with each patient, family, and/or designated care partner in care.
• Knowledge of people with diverse backgrounds and ability to convey respect and connect effectively.
• Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools, and techniques; ability to transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs using appropriate communication behaviors.
• Use partnership-oriented language with patients and families, engaging them in their health and healthcare.
• BLS—Basic Life Support certification from the American Heart Association upon hire.
• Ability to lift and carry 40–50 pounds, including pushing or pulling patients on a bed or stretcher and assisting with lateral transfers.
• Ability to stand and walk frequently to continuously; patient transporters may walk 8–10 miles per shift.
• Ability to perform role-specific physical activities, which may include kneeling, bending, squatting, and performing CPR.

Responsibilities

• Communicate with and support the interprofessional team, patient, family, and designated care partners.
• Perform validated and designated direct and indirect patient-care activities to meet patient needs under the direction of licensed clinical team members.
• Actively promote and maintain a safe patient-care environment.
• Help maintain supplies and equipment to support efficient unit operations.
• Conduct patient rounds as assigned, anticipate patient needs, and promptly respond to patient call lights or pages.
• Serve as a virtual safety associate when assigned based on campus needs.
• When required, facilitate a clinical examination under the distant provider’s direction, using required peripheral devices, video-conferencing equipment, and software to support a comprehensive virtual-care encounter.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED