Patient Care Technician - Med-Surg Days - 24hrs/wk

umhealthwest•Wyoming, MI

19h

About The Position

Under the direction of a Registered Nurse (RN), the Patient Care Technician (PCT) provides basic nursing care to patients and performs related tasks necessary to support the unit. The role is a 24-hour-per-week Med-Surg position on the day shift, with weekend work required and no on-call duty. The PCT assists with activities of daily living, hygiene, comfort, nutrition, elimination, and patient procedures within the duties described. The role also involves collecting specimens, measuring and recording vital signs and weight, using equipment safely, following infection-control practices, documenting care as directed by the RN, and communicating effectively with patients and staff. Other duties may include tasks assigned by the RN in charge, maintaining knowledge of department processes and procedures, pursuing self-directed learning and continuing education, and participating in committees or work groups as determined by management.

Requirements

Minimum high school diploma or GED.
Meet at least one of the following: current Certified Nurse Aide (CENA) certification; current enrollment and continued progression in a health science program; or equivalent experience.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) provider certification.
Ability to successfully complete unit-specific core competencies defined in the orientation checklist.

Nice To Haves

For health science program enrollment, completion of a nursing fundamentals course and/or one clinical rotation is preferred. Examples of qualifying programs include nursing school, pre-PA school, medical school, or a closely related health science program.
Equivalent experience may include experience as a Medical Assistant, Paramedic, Medical First Responder, EMT, Nurse Tech, Resident Aid/Assistant, or LPN.
Basic understanding of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, and patient confidentiality.
Experience in an acute care or extended care facility.

Responsibilities

Assist patients with activities of daily living and comfort, including making beds, turning and positioning, ambulating, dangling, transferring, and performing passive or assisted active range-of-motion exercises.
Assist patients with hygiene activities.
Provide indwelling urinary catheter care, excluding insertion, removal, and irrigation; change non-sterile dressings; provide ileostomy and colostomy care; and assist with postmortem care.
Assist with nutrition by passing trays, snacks, and water; feeding patients; and measuring and recording dietary intake.
Assist with elimination needs, accurately record input and output, and empty designated drains as directed by the RN.
Collect and label sputum, urine, and stool specimens; perform specified urine tests; strain urine for kidney stones; and use a glucometer to test blood glucose levels.
Measure and record vital signs and weight, including temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and respiratory rate, using the applicable scales and equipment.
Use equipment and supplies safely and appropriately, including incentive spirometry, oxygen flow meters, suction equipment, ice or heat, bandages, slings, supports, anti-embolism stockings, SCDs, and restraints.
Help control infection through aseptic technique, standard and isolation precautions, linen handling, sharps-container replacement, and cleaning equipment between patients and before return to Central Processing Department.
Document care provided as directed by the RN.
Communicate effectively using Vocera, paging, telephone, and pneumatic tube systems; answer patient call lights; report observations to the RN; keep the RN informed of care delivered; and maintain patient confidentiality.
Perform other assigned duties to support department efficiency, maintain knowledge of department processes and procedures, pursue learning and continuing education, and participate in committees, task forces, or work groups as determined by management.