Patient Care Technician Critical Care Casual

WVU Medicine•Weirton, WV

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Assists with the provision of patient care under the supervision of a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse. Performs duties in a responsible professional manner consistent with nursing-care standards, hospital policies and procedures, and current state regulations governing nursing practice. The position is in the Nursing ICU at Weirton Medical Center in Weirton, West Virginia, and is identified as casual with one scheduled weekly hour. The role supports patient care and safety, performs routine and instructed care and treatments, maintains unit supplies and cleanliness, documents care, communicates patient observations and concerns to nursing staff, and provides information and emotional support to patients and families. The work involves close interaction with others, irregular or protracted hours, and exposure to biohazards, infectious diseases, deceased persons, water, and electrical hazards associated with patient-care equipment.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Obtain Basic Life Support certification within 30 days of hire.
Ability to effectively communicate with staff and patients.
Ability to adapt to changing environments.

Nice To Haves

Graduate of a nurse assistant or patient care technician training program.
Completion of a hospital-based Patient Care Technician program within 30 days of hire.
Current nursing student.
Six months of patient care technician experience.

Responsibilities

Follow the established plan of patient care.
Assist with patient admission, transfer, discharge, and transportation.
Implement patient safety measures, including assisting patients with movement, sitting, and ambulation; raising side rails as indicated; applying restraints under a registered nurse’s direction; and implementing fall protocols under a registered nurse’s direction.
Collect and record vital signs as instructed by the nurse.
Provide measures to meet patients’ comfort needs.
Collect and prepare specimens according to policy and procedure.
Provide instructed patient care and treatments, including bathing and other hygiene, perineal, pre-operative, post-operative and post-mortem care, catheter care, hot or cold compresses, intake and output, ambulation, turning and positioning, assistive devices, traction setup and application, 12-lead EKGs, and oral suctioning with a Yankauer catheter.
Perform routine shift duties, including distributing fresh water, disposing of soiled linen, maintaining a clean and orderly unit, and maintaining and stocking unit supplies.
Use clean and sterile technique and maintain Body Substance Isolation during patient care.
Gather information about patient status and age-specific needs and report it to the nurse.
Understand the treatment necessary for each patient and provide appropriate age-specific care that promotes maintenance or enhancement of quality of life.
Perform food and nutritional duties, including distributing snacks and supplements, maintaining fluid restrictions, and assisting patients with meals and supplements as needed.
Keep the nurse informed about department activities or problems.
Establish and maintain good rapport with hospital personnel, patients, and families.
Explain tasks to patients and provide emotional support to patients and families.
Attend and actively participate in at least three staff meetings annually.
Respond immediately to patient signal lights and notify the nurse of patient problems.
Promptly report patient observations, requests, and unusual signs and symptoms to the charge nurse or team leader.
Support and adhere to hospital and nursing policies and procedures.
Institute emergency measures calmly and effectively.
Report safety or risk-management problems to the charge nurse or appropriate hospital personnel.
Document technical skills performed, including observations, in the medical record.
Assist with the preceptorship program when required.