PCT II/III, Cardiac Stepdown Unit, 40 Hours, Days

UMass Memorial Health•Worcester, MA

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician II/III provides patient care under the direction of an appropriate licensed clinician and in accordance with unit-specific standards. The role supports patients’ personal needs and comfort and assists the healthcare team. PCT II caregivers must meet the full competencies outlined by Nursing Professional Practice. PCT III caregivers bring an additional skill set and may perform unit secretary duties, telemetry monitoring, remote video monitoring, or work in the Step-Down Unit, Emergency Department, Dialysis, Hospital at Home, or ICU. On the Step-Down Unit, PCT IIIs may be cross-trained in phlebotomy, telemetry, and unit clerk competencies and assigned to areas of higher acuity. This is a 40-hour-per-week day-shift position, scheduled 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., with every other weekend and every other holiday. The work takes place indoors in a patient care environment and involves standing and walking most of the time, frequent bending, and possible pushing of heavy equipment. The position is non-exempt and represented by SHARE. The listed hiring range is $19.74–$28.59, with final compensation dependent on scheduled hours, experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity. External new hires may be eligible for a $3,000 sign-on bonus, subject to restrictions and eligibility confirmation.

Requirements

High school education or GED.
Current Basic Life Support certification.
Demonstrated competency attainment at the PCT II level.
Prior inpatient or outpatient care experience, or clinical care training.
Ability to read, write, and communicate clearly and concisely in English.
Knowledge of medical terminology.
Computer skills.
Strong interpersonal skills to gather information, build collaborative relationships, and provide exceptional patient service.
Proven ability to solve routine problems and seek assistance from identified resources when additional direction is needed.
Ability to remain calm under stress or in emergency situations.

Responsibilities

Communicate observations and patient changes promptly and clearly to the RN, including changes in skin condition, vital signs, or mental status.
Provide constant observation of high-risk patients when assigned by the Resource Nurse or designee.
Help maintain a safe environment, use de-escalation interventions, and participate in restraints as directed and in accordance with training and policy.
Assist patients with activities of daily living, including personal hygiene, ambulation, meals, and nourishment.
Move, lift, position, and transport patients using proper safety techniques and body mechanics.
Perform patient safety checks, use directed fall-prevention strategies, and follow restraint policy when caring for restrained patients.
Take and record vital signs and measure and record patient height and weight.
Perform EKGs, point-of-care tests, and bladder scans according to hospital standards; collect, label, and prepare specimens for laboratory transport.
Perform phlebotomy in designated locations.
Respond sensitively to patient needs, provide information, and build positive rapport and relationships.
Perform unit-specific procedures, such as changing telemetry-unit batteries, checking equipment, cleaning equipment between patients, and storing supplies properly.
Assist an RN or Licensed Independent Practitioner with treatments and procedures by preparing the patient, obtaining and setting up equipment and supplies, using sterile technique when indicated, positioning and supporting the patient, and cleaning up afterward.
Observe, measure, and record oral food and fluid intake; set up full-strength tube-feeding solutions and refill feeding bags as directed.
Empty and record output from approved sources, including Foley catheters, ostomy appliances, and drainage systems; perform directed ostomy care for established ostomate patients.
Answer telephones with appropriate etiquette, take and relay messages, and use departmental communication systems such as pagers and intercoms.
Replenish patient and unit supplies and equipment.
Keep current with hospital and unit changes by reviewing communication boards, books, notices, and email.
When serving as a unit secretary, assist with admissions, transfers, and discharges at least five shifts (40 hours) every six months; maintain logs and medical records, organize charts, and enter or retrieve information in electronic medical record systems.
When assigned to remote video monitoring, continuously observe multiple patients using the monitoring system.
For telemetry-certified and Step-Down Unit assignments, perform relevant cross-trained phlebotomy, telemetry, and unit clerk functions and provide care in higher-acuity areas.
Comply with departmental policies, procedures, and objectives; attend required meetings and educational events; and apply quality improvement in daily work.
Follow health and safety regulations, contribute to a respectful and professional environment, maintain regular and reliable attendance, and perform other related duties as directed.