Patient Care Technician Adult Orthopedic Surgical Unit FT Night - Methodist

IU Health•Indianapolis, IN

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (also known as a Patient Care Assistant or PCA) provides bedside care to patients in the Adult Orthopedic Surgical Unit. The role focuses on anticipating and responding to patients’ needs, supporting the bedside registered nurse, and helping deliver a safe, positive patient experience. Care includes providing drinks, assisting with meal ordering, encouraging patients to walk, assisting with baths, and providing clean linens and gowns. The technician obtains vital signs and reports abnormalities or behavioral changes to the primary RN or charge nurse to support timely assessment and treatment. Patient safety is maintained through measures such as gait belts, bed and chair alarms, and staying within arm’s reach of patients while they move. The position requires compassion, a caring bedside manner, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. It also calls for current knowledge of patient-care procedures and standards, infection-control principles, and the procedures, equipment, software, and standards relevant to the non-licensed role. The technician must be able to manage competing priorities and workload, communicate effectively, exercise judgment, and perform physically demanding, repetitive movements. This is a full-time night position with IU Health.

Requirements

Current Basic Life Support certification through the AHA, or attainment of certification upon completion of the IU Health PCA education program.
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.
Proficiency in interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability to maintain mental awareness and withstand a high level of tension and stress.
Ability to concentrate amid frequent interruptions and variable noise levels.
Ability to exercise judgment and initiative in resolving problems encountered.
Ability to set priorities and manage a high workload within a limited time.
Knowledge of procedures, equipment, software, and standards related to patient-care activities performed by non-licensed roles such as PCA/PCR/PCI.
Knowledge of infection-control principles and 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

Provide drinks and assist patients with meal ordering.
Encourage patients to walk and assist with baths.
Provide clean linens and gowns.
Obtain vital signs and report abnormalities or changes in patient behavior to the primary RN or charge nurse.
Use safety measures such as gait belts, bed and chair alarms, and remaining within arm’s reach of patients while they move.
Support bedside RNs with clinical assistance and help provide a positive patient experience.